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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-23-2020-SWS ARQEN HILLS Request for Special City Council Work Session A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers. Reason for meeting: 1A. AT&T North Water Tower Antenna Lease 1B. Clean Up Day Discussion Requested Date: 11/23/2020 Requested time: 5:45 pm Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s)making request: &41_,S - 11/19/2020 Mayor or Council Member Date Council Member Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: / M/ o20oZ0 Date meeting to be held: 11/23/2020 Time of meeting: 5:45pm Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. Sign re of City Clerk Date City of Arden Hills-1245 West Highway 96 •Arden Hills Minnesota 55112 Phone 651.792.7800•Fax 651.634.5137 •www.cityofardenhills.ora AGENDA ITEMS AT&T North Water Tower Antenna Lease Todd Blomstrom, Public Works Director/City Engineer MEMO.PDF ATTACHMENT A.PDF ATTACHMENT B.PDF ATTACHMENT C.PDF Clean Up Day Discussion Mike Mrosla, Community Development Manager/City Planner MEMO.PDF ATTACHMENT A..PDF COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS ADJOURN Mayor: David Grant Councilmembers: Brenda Holden Fran Holmes Dave McClung Steve Scott Special City Council Work Session Agenda November 23, 2020 5:45 p.m. City Hall Address: 1245 W Highway 96 Arden Hills MN 55112 Phone: 651 -792 -7800 Website : www.cityofardenhills.org City Vision Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well -maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long -standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. This meeting can be accessed remotely by joining via Zoom T o join the Zoom Meeting via your computer, click this link (or copy and paste it into a new browser): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87084175676 CALL TO ORDER 1. 1.A. Documents: 1.B. Documents: 2. Page 1 of 2 AGENDA ITEM – 1A MEMORANDUM DATE: November 23, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Dave Perrault, City Administrator FROM: Todd Blomstrom, Public Works Director/City Engineer SUBJECT: AT&T Request to Renegotiate Cummings Park Site Use Lease Agreement Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: $47,595.00 $47,595.00 General Fund Council Should Consider City Council direction is requested regarding a request from AT&T to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the existing Cummings Park North Water Tower Site Use Lease Agreement between the City and AT&T. Background/Discussion The City of Arden Hills entered into a Site Use Lease Agreement with AT&T (New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC) on April 2014 for cell antenna equipment located at the City’s North Water Tower at Cummings Park. The agreement established an annual lease rate of $33,000, with an annual adjustment of 4 percent. The lease agreement was amended on July 2015 to provide additional ground lease space to house an emergency power generator. The amendment added $4,800 to the annual lease rate, with a 4 percent annual adjustment. A copy of the lease agreement and amendment are provided in Attachment C. The 4 percent annual adjustment to the lease rates described above result in a current 2020 site lease rate of $47,595 for AT&T installations at the North Water Tower site. The lease is in the second 5- year renewal term and is eligible for four more 5-year extensions through the year 2044. AT&T has contacted the City to request renegotiation of the current lease at the North Water Tower as summarized in the letter provided in Attachment A. AT&T requests the following changes to the terms of the lease agreement. Page 2 of 2 1. Decrease from 2021 lease rate of $49,499 (2020 rate plus 4%) to an annual rate of $38,400.00 2. Decrease from current 4 percent annual adjustment to a 12.5 percent adjustment every five years commencing January 1, 2026. 3. Extension of lease from current sunset of December 31, 2044 to December 31, 2045. 4. Addition of new Permitted Use provision as outlined in the letter. Staff conducted a lease rate comparison with the cities of Roseville, Shoreview and New Brighton for cell tenant leases on water tower facilities, as provided in Attachment B. Lease rates generally range from $28,549 to $44,400 per year, with annual lease rate adjustments from 1.5 to 5 percent. AT&T has made substantial investments in their equipment at the North Water Tower over the past three years, which may result in challenges for them to terminate the lease and relocate to other facilities. However, AT&T claims there is a possibility they would consider relocation based on the terms and conditions of the existing site lease agreement. Staff is seeking direction from the City Council on the following items. 1. Does the City Council wish to direct staff to renegotiate the terms of the existing lease agreement with AT&T for the North Water Tower site? 2. If there is interest in renegotiations, does the Council have suggestions regarding the initial response to AT&T’s requested terms? Budget Impact The 2020 lease payment from AT&T to the City of Arden Hills is $47,595, with a 4 percent annual adjustment. A negotiated decrease in the annual lease rate or a termination of the lease agreement would decrease revenue to the City’s General Fund. Attachments Attachment A: AT&T Request to Renegotiate Lease Agreement Attachment B: Lease Rate Comparison Attachment C: Current AT&T Site Lease Agreement and Amendment MD7 , LLC | 10590 West Ocean Air Drive, Suite 300 | San Diego, CA 92130 | 888.553.6599 November 11, 2020 City of Arden Hills 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 Re: Communications Facility located at 1221 Cummings Park Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 Contract #: 168765 / FA#: 10082208 Dear City of Arden Hills, AT&T Mobility (“AT&T”) has engaged MD7 to work with you to make the above-referenced site better for both parties. The conditions AT&T desires to implement in all new “go forward” leases are referenced in the bullet points below. We look forward to coming to a mutually beneficial agreement. Criteria for Cellular Site Retention: AT&T will need the following to secure a longer-term lease with you: ◼ $38,400.00 per year, commencing January 1, 2021 ◼ 12.5% rent increase every 5 years, commencing January 1, 2026 ◼ Extension of Lease, 6-five year terms, through December 31, 2045 ◼ Lease provision below In order to maintain its long-term flexibility, AT&T will also require the following lease provision to address future technological and network changes: ◼ Permitted Use “Tenant, its personnel, invitees, contractors, agents, or assigns may use the Premises, at no additional cost or expense, for the transmission and reception of any and all communicati ons signals and, with prior written notice to landlord, to modify, supplement, replace, upgrade, expand, including but not limited to the number and type(s) of antennas, or refurbish the equipment and/or improvements thereon (collectively, "Communications Facility"), or relocate the same within the Premises at any time during the term of the Agreement for any reason, so long as these changes do not exceed the structural capacity of the tower/structure at this height, or at Tenant's sole expense upgrade the structural capacity, or in order to be in compliance with any current or future federal, state or local mandated application, including but not limited to emergency 911 communication services or for any other reason. Landlord shall reasonably cooperate in obtaining governmental and other use permits or approvals necessary or desirable for the foregoing permitted use. If Landlord does not comply with the terms of this section, in addition to any other rights it may have at law, Tenant may terminate the Agre ement and shall have no further liability to Landlord. If Landlord does not comply with the terms of this section, Tenant will have the right to exercise any and all rights available to it under law and equity, including the right to cure Landlord’s default and to deduct the costs of such cure from any monies due to Landlord from Tenant.” MD7 , LLC | 10590 West Ocean Air Drive, Suite 300 | San Diego, CA 92130 | 888.553.6599 This letter of understanding is subject in all respects to the preparation, execution and delivery of a definitive amendment in form and substance mutually agreeable to each of us. This letter will not be legally binding between us with respect to the proposed business relationship, but instead serves as a statement of our mutual intent to work toward entering into such an amendment. AT&T values its affiliation with you and hopes to continue a long and mutually profitable relationship in the years to come. After having reviewed this, please contact me prior to November 18, 2020. Please keep in mind that AT&T’s discussion process has a deadline of 90 days from your initial response. If satisfactory terms and conditions are not agreed upon through a signed amendment within this 90 day period, this will trigger AT&T’s review of alternate locations. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Gedi Stasiunas Lease Consultant d: (858) 997-1072 a: 10590 West Ocean Air Drive, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92130 e: gstasiunas@md7.com Authorized Agent for AT&T Mobility cc: Gregory D. Ohmer Director-Network Planning, AT&T Mobility 1 Todd Blomstrom From:Gedi Stasiunas <GStasiunas@md7.com> Sent:Wednesday, November 11, 2020 4:50 PM To:Todd Blomstrom Subject:RE: AT&T Cellular Site Lease Extension - 1221 Cummings Park Drive, Arden Hills, MN Attachments:168765 - ATT TOSS Term Sheet - Lease Extension - (Critical Review) - Revised on 11.11.2020.pdf Importance:High Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Good afternoon Todd, Thank you for your email. However, one of the reasons for the new rental terms is because the rate currently being paid by AT&T is significantly above market and any future terms will have to be closer to market rate, so that AT&T is able to continue this relationship for a longer-term. The market rate is based on the rents being paid by AT&T for their other sites in the area of like equipment and space (square footage of the leased premises). Additionally, the rent is what compensates the landlord for AT&T’s tenancy. The escalator is only supposed to keep the rent in sync with the changing value of the dollar. The average annual market rates/CPI increase for the last eleven years is 1.63%, in certain years the CPI increase was in the negatives. Below is a rental rate comparison or “Comps” for the AT&T cellular sites that are similar to your site in the area. Your site location is the red star in the middle of the map below. The blue dots are the other AT&T cellular sites in the area:  Comp #1 – Noel Drive - $2,696.59 per month  Comp #2 – 53rd Avenue Northeast - $2,389.51 per month  Comp #3 – Wayzata Street - $2,413.83 per month  Comp #4 – Pierce Butler Route - $2,459.02 per month  Comp #5 – 2nd Street Northeast - $2,561.65 per month 2 Furthermore, AT&T is currently in the process of re-evaluating the mapping design of the network, due to a change in the demands of consumers. As you know, just about everybody has a smartphone now, and the amount of data that is being transmitted is substantially higher than what the towers were designed to handle. AT&T can’t continue to use the same old network that was originally designed with mainly voice transmission in mind, since 95% of what is being transmitted is actually data. To handle the increased demand, AT&T is actively seeking to densify the network with additional access points. To do that, AT&T is using Small Cells – or Micro Cells (see the photos below), which can be deployed both inside of buildings, as well as outdoors, and unlike traditional sites, the entire site is about the size of a backpack and the unit is intentionally limited in coverage to offload a lot of the traffic that would traditionally just go to this site. Changes in technology and the need to increase the densification of the network, requiring more sites to cover the same area, are therefore reducing the value and return of each individual site. Below are the price and saturation issues. The economics driving lease rates have simply changed.  Market Saturation (Everyone has a cell phone.)  Price Competition (If everyone has a cell phone, then operators have to continue to lower prices in order to keep, and attract new, customers.)  Continued Investment (Operators must continue to invest in their networks to keep up with the demand for bandwidth as we transition into a data-driven world.) In the interest of getting this resolved quickly, AT&T is willing to be somewhat flexible on the rental terms that were offered initially. Please see the Revised Lease Extension Offer (attached) and let me know if it is agreeable to the City. The rental terms offered by AT&T are well above market rates. Respectfully, ____ Gedi Stasiunas Lease Consultant 10590 W. Ocean Air Drive, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92130 D (858) 997-1072 GStasiunas@md7.com ____ Initial Year Est. 2020 Rent Annual Adjustment Roseville T-Mobile 2015 $34,445 3% Verizon 2019 $39,552 3% AT&T 2007 $32,307 3% Shoreview Average Older Leases $44,400 5% Renegotiated Verizon Site 1 2020 $39,600 7.5%/5 Renegotiated Verizon Site 2 2021 $44,400 4% City of New Brighton Clear Wireless 2010 $29,605 4% Sprint 2015 $30,416 4% T Mobile 2016 $28,549 4% Verizon 2008 $30,865 4% AT&T 2013 $36,846 4% Sprint 2019 $37,440 4% T Mobile 2017 $37,514 4% Verizon 2007 $38,332 3% Arden Hills AT&T North Tower 2014 $47,595 4% T-Mobile North Tower 2008 $24,916 3% Sprint South Tower 2014 $41,755 4% T-Mobile South Tower 2000 $20,988 15% per 5-yr Term The informaton above for other cities is preliminary and has not been verified with original documents Site ATTACHMENT B Lease Rate Comparison Page 1 of 2 AGENDA ITEM – 1B MEMORANDUM DATE: November 23, 2020 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Dave Perrault, City Administrator FROM: Mike Mrosla, Community Development Manager/City Planner SUBJECT: 2021 Cleanup Day Discussion Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: $21,000.00 N/A Recycling Fund SCORE Grant Council shall consider The City Council shall consider hosting a cleanup day event in 2021. Cleanup Day Background At its June 8, 2020 meeting, the City Council discussed hosting a citywide recycling event. At that time, the Council was in decided to postpone hosting a cleanup day until 2021 due to COVID19 concerns. During the meeting staff discussed a “Cleanup Day” style drop-off event where the City could coordinate with Green Lights Recycling in Blaine to host a drop-off event at their facility. Residents would bring their materials to the recycler directly for a fee depending on the material. Green Lights Recycling would manage and operate the event. They currently host events for several cities at their facility. These cities include: Blaine, Anoka, Ham Lake, Fridley, Centerville, Lexington, and Spring Lake Park. It was noted that the option to host an offsite event in Blaine at Green Light at would cost between $3,000 and $4,000. Additional information on Green Lights Recycling is provided in Attachment A. Cleanup Day Discussion Staff is looking for Council direction in regards to cleanup day. 1. Does Council want to host a cleanup day in 2021? Y/N • If yes staff offers two options below for Council to consider at this time. Page 2 of 2 Option 1 - Does Council want to host a cleanup day within Arden Hills with Republic or another similar vender? Y/N • If yes, staff will contact Republic Service for a proposal and ask them to determine how much staging space is needed to host such an event. Once the staging area size is determine staff can look for a host site and provide Council with an update at an upcoming work session. Option 2 - Is Council interested in hosting an offsite cleanup day? Y/N • Would Council like a presentation from Green Lights staff to learn more about their services? Y/N • If yes, staff will Green Lights for a proposal and provide Council with an update at an upcoming work session. Budget Impact: The City currently has $21,000.00 budgeted for cleanup day in 2021. The 2021 Ramsey County SCORE grant has $2,228.50 available to assist cities in hosting a bulk cleanup day. Attachments: A. Green Lights Recycling Information. Page 1 of 2 Green Lights Recycling is a Minnesota-based recycling company which adheres to the highest regulatory standards in the nation. Since 1995 they have maintained a track record for responsible recycling and have kept over 99 million pounds of waste out of landfills. They currently work with several cities to run recycling drop-off days at their facility. These cities include: Blaine, Anoka, Ham Lake, Fridley, Centreville, Lexington, and Spring Lake Park. Green Lights Recycling, Inc. would be accepting fluorescent lamps, batteries, electronics, appliances, mattresses, tires, scrap metal, hard drives for shredding, carpet, furniture, and paper for shredding. This kind of drop-off event is fully coordinated by Green Lights Recycling and no city staff would have to be on site. Resident wait times at these drop-off events are usually brief (less than 20 minutes). The base price to the City would be about $2,575 for labor and the shredding truck. A fee would be charged to the residents per item unless Arden Hills provides coupons. Some don’t offer any subsidies and others provide 2-4 items free to incentivize participation. Green Lights Recycling is located at 10040 Davenport St NE in the City of Blaine and is a 10- minute drive from City Hall. Page 2 of 2 Coupon from the City of Ham Lake in their newsletter: Centerville 2019 Saturday Recycling Events Redeem coupons to recycle two FREE items! Questions? Contact Centerville City Hall at 651-429-3232. RECYCLE 2 items for FREE January 12, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE February 9, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE March 9, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE April 13, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE May 11, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE June 8, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE July 13, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE August 10, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE September 14, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE October 12, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE November 9, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville RECYCLE 2 items for FREE December 14, 2019 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Green Lights Recycling Centerville Use these coupons to recycle two items for FREE at the monthly recycling day at Green Lights Recycling. Residents must present coupon to recycle two free items. One coupon per resident each month. Recycling Day Events at Green Lights Recycling in Blaine When: January 12 • February 9 • March 9 • April 13 • May 11 • June 8 • July 13 • August 10 • September 14 • October 12 • November 9 • December 14 Where: Green Lights Recycling 10040 Davenport St NE, Blaine, MN Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Materials Accepted: • Appliances ($10 - 25 each) • Batteries: sealed lead acid, small household and rechargeable ($0 - $6/lb) • Carpet: no rubber back ($6/roll) • Electronics • Printers, scanners and fax machines ($10 - 35 each) • Hard drive shredding ($5 each) • TVs and monitors: all sizes ($18 - 75 each) • Small and medium items: mice, keyboards, DVD and VCR players, stereos, speakers, record players, coffee makers, toasters, toaster ovens, keyboards, vacuums, phones, small appliances and video game consoles ($0 - 5 each) • Fluorescent bulbs ($.50 - .95 each) • Holiday string lights, cables and extension cords (FREE) • Mattresses and box springs ($20 - 25 each) • Paper shredding: 2 box maximum (FREE) • Scrap metal: clean and all non-metal material removed (FREE) • Tires ($5 - 8 each) Prices have a range since they vary by the size and type of material. 1880 Main StCenterville, MN 55038Printed on recycled paper, minimum 30% post-consumer paper. Funded by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners & State SCORE funds(Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment).Single Sort Recycling Every other week on Friday.Service may be delayed on weeks with holidays. Questions:Waste Management (952) 890-1100Organics Recycling Centerville 2019 Recycling Guide Redeem coupons to recycle two FREE items! Curbside Recycling Guide Recycle Right Some recycling actions make a bigger impact than others. Remember these three rules the next time you recycle: 1. Recycle all empty plastic bottles, cans, cartons, clean paper and cardboard boxes. See the list below for acceptable items. 2. Remove food debris, liquid, plastic film and greasy or hazardous items from your recycling. 3. Place recyclables directly in your cart. Do not bag them. Return plastic bags to a local grocer or retailer. Go to AnokaCounty.us/recycle for options. It’s amazing how big of an impact following these simple rules can have! There are more and more non- recyclables going to recycling sorting facilities, and every single one of them must be removed by hand or mechanically sorted. These unwanted materials contaminate valuable recyclables. Non-recyclable items placed in recycling containers end up in the garbage, which increases the cost of the recycling process. Don’t ‘wishcycle’ or just hope something can be recycled. When in doubt, throw it out. Plastic Bottles & Jugs (empty, rinse, caps on) • Water, soda & juice bottles • Milk & juice jugs • Ketchup & salad dressing bottles • Dish soap bottles & detergent jugs • Shampoo, soap & lotion bottles Plastic Cups & Containers (empty, rinse, caps on) • Yogurt, pudding & fruit cups • Clear disposable cups (no straws) • Margarine, cottage cheese & similar containers • Clear produce, deli & take out containers Cartons (empty & rinse) • Milk cartons • Juice cartons • Juice boxes • Soup, broth & wine cartons Metal (empty, rinse, labels OK) • Food cans • Beverage cans Paper (clean, staples OK) • Mail, office & school papers • Magazines & catalogs • Newspapers & inserts • Phone books Boxes (flatten) • Cardboard • Cereal, cracker & pasta boxes • Shoe, gift & electronic boxes • Toothpaste & other toiletry boxes • Tissue boxes Glass (empty, labels OK, caps off) • Food & beverage bottles & jars Take your recycling to the next level! Once you are recycling all you can, you can reduce your trash further by signing up for the Anoka County Organics Drop-off Program. You simply collect food scraps, such as meat, dairy, fruit and vegetable peelings, soiled paper towels and tissues in a compostable bag (provided free when you sign up) and bring your organics to one of the county compost sites listed below: Go to: AnokaCounty.us/organics for details and to sign up in this FREE Program! Drop off locations include: Bunker Hills Compost Site Rice Creek Compost Site 13285 Hanson Blvd NW 7701 Main St Coon Rapids, MN 55448 Lino Lakes, MN 55038 Winter hours: December – March Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Presidential Nomination Primary is Tuesday, March 3, 2020. The polls will be open from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm. These are the Ham Lake voting locations. You can go to www.pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us to find your Precint: The presidential nominating primary is a process by which voters cast a ballot for their preferred presi- dential candidate of their preferred political party. The results of the presidential nominating primary may affect who appears on the ballot in November. This is a political party process and will be adminis- tered just like any other election, but is not to be confused as a traditional election. Only the major political parties are eligible to participate in this election. Each major political party will have a separate ballot with their list of candidates for the office of President. Parties may also choose to have an “uncommitted” and/or write-in option available. Sample ballots will be posted in early January on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. The process is similar to the traditional election and voting experience. You will locate your polling place, sign the roster or register to vote using approved documents. However, before the election judge gives you a ballot, you must indicate what major political party’s bal- lot you want to vote on. You will also sign a statement: “I am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to vote.” This is the only significant difference in the presidential nominating primary from a traditional election. To vote via Absentee Ballot, you can go to Ham Lake City Hall or Anoka County Elections during regular business hours, or complete an Absentee Ballot Application to receive the ballot through the mail. The Absentee voting period is from January 17 through March 2, 2020. To learn more about the Presidential Nomination Primary (PNP) visit: • Anoka County Elections & League of Women Voters • www.anokacounty.us/elections-voter-registration • www.lwvmn.org/picking-the-president-part1 Presidential Nomination Primary (PNP) City of Ham Lake 15544 Central Avenue NE Ham Lake, MN 55304 ECRWSS Postal Patron Ham Lake, MN 55304 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ANOKA, MN 55303 PERMIT NO. 289 Published by the City of Ham Lake, Minnesota January 2020 • Volume 35, No. 1 Snowbowl 2020 • February 8 Put Saturday, February 8 on your calendar for Ham Lake’s annual Snowbowl at Ham Lake Park (153rd Avenue in Ham Lake). This is a family-friendly event to get you outside and celebrating some of winter’s best activities. Included in the 2020 event are: • Medallion Hunt—the first clue will be posted on hamlakeareacc.org/contests on Monday, February 3. A cash prize for the winner! • Fat Tire Bike Race—Four classes of racers will wind their way around Ham Lake Park in the 3rd annual fat tire race. • Snow Sculpting Contest—Three categories of sculptors will compete for cash prizes. • Snowmobile Races—Sponsored by the Kids Pro Ice Snowmobile Racing folks. • Broomball Tournament—Teams come from all over the Twin Cities and even neighboring states. Men’s, Women’s and Co-Rec categories. • Ice Fishing Contest—Run by Boy Scout Troop 522 in conjuction with the Snowbowl. Every fish caught will receive a ticket for the drawing. • Snowbowl Sculpture Breakthrough Contest— Guess the day and time the Snowbowl Sculpture will break through the ice on Ham Lake for cash. • Winter RUCK—presented by Ascension Fitness. • Kids Activities—Sliding hill, Gaga pit and more. Presented by Troop 509. • Vendors, food and beverages in a heated tent! For the details go to: hamlakeareacc.org/snowbowl. Snowbowl 2020’s Diamond Sponsors are the Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Blaine Festival and Twin Cities Gateway. Christmas Tree & Light Recycling Drop off your Christmas trees, holiday lights and extension cords for recycling at the north side of the City Hall parking lot. Please place holiday lights and cords in the green and blue collection container near the small garage. Clean your tree of decorations and place it at the north end of the City Hall parking lot. Trees will be accepted through January 5th. Precinct 1: Glen Cary Lutheran Church 15531 Central Ave NE Precinct 2: Ham Lake Senior Center 15544 Central Ave NE Precinct 3A: Oak Haven Church 1555 Constance Blvd NE Precinct 4A: Horizons Community Church 1503 157th Ave NE Precinct 5: Radisson Road Baptist Church 13627 Radisson Rd NE Precinct 6A: St. Paul’s Catholic Church 1740 Bunker Lake Blvd NE Ham Lake City Hall 15544 Central Ave NE Ham Lake MN 55304 763-434-9555 (Mon–Thurs: 7:00 am–4:30 pm) (Friday: 7:00 am–12:00 pm) (Saturday, February 29, 10:00 am–3:00 pm) Anoka County Elections 2100 3rd Ave Ste. W130 Anoka MN 55303 763-324-1300 Elections@co.anoka.mn.us (Mon–Fri 8:00 am–4:30 pm) (Saturday, February 29, 10:00 am–3:00 pm) Articles and photos that appear in The Ham Laker, together with other useful information about the City, can be found on the City’s website: www.ci.ham-lake.mn.us Ham Lake Contacts City Hall: 763-434-9555 To report emergencies after office hours please call 911. City Hall Hours: Mon-Thurs: 7:00-4:30 Friday: 7:00-noon Mike Van Kirk (Mayor) 763-434-6176 mvankirk@ci.ham-lake.mn.us Jim Doyle (Council) 612-850-1698 jdoyle@ci.ham-lake.mn.us Tom Johnson (Council) 763-434-8573 tjohnson@ci.ham-lake.mn.us Gary Kirkeide (Council) 763-434-9762 gkirkeide@ci.ham-lake.mn.us Brian Kirkham (Council) 612-978-2764 bkirkham@ci.ham-lake.mn.us February Issue Deadline: Wednesday, January 8 Please send all Ham Laker correspondence, ar- ticles and ideas to: City of Ham Lake 15544 Central Ave NE Ham Lake, MN 55304 Email: HamLaker@ci.ham-lake.mn.us For advertising information, please contact City Hall at: 763-434-9555 Editor: Sharon Brodin, Brodin Press LLC Printed on 20% post-recycled consumer waste paper Ham Lake City Council News Sheriff’s Report At its November 18 meeting, the City Council took the following actions: • Approved items on the Consent Agenda, including: - Ordinance No. 19-10 amending Article 10-430 regarding mailbox physical standards - Ordinance No. 19-11 amending Article 11-230 regarding the requirement of a permit for Fences and Hedges in residential zoning - Compensation Plan Adjustment for Administra- tive Assistant II, Nicole Wheeler - Court Services Amendment Renewal and Reso- lution No. 19-60 approving the continuation of the E-Charging Joint Powers Agreement • Approved the Certificate of Occupancy requested by Alex Peterson to operate 11th Hour Remarket- ing Solutions at 1305 159th Avenue NE subject to requirements. • Approved purchasing Employee Self-Serve (ESS) and Payroll Import and Accounts Receivable modules for the software system Incode 10. At its December 2 meeting, the City Council took the following actions: • Adopted Resolution No. 19-61: the 2020 Budget, Levy and Five Year Capital Improvement Plan. • Approved items on the Consent Agenda, including: - 2020 Residential Recycling Program - Converting Vacation Time to Paid Time Off (PTO) and paying out Sick Leave to the Post- Retirement Health Care Savings Plan - Amendments to the Employee Handbook - Resolution No. 19-62 requesting a grant from the Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for the Voluntary Cost Sharing Agreement - Resolution No. 19-63 to appoint signers to the Trust Checking Account - Resolution No. 19-64 accepting a $2,000 donation from Blaine’s Blazin 4th • Approve Consent Agenda Item 4.9, Road Commit- tee Recommendations. • Approved scheduling a Public Hearing for Decem- ber 16, 2019 to consider the revocation of the Con- ditional Use Permit, issued on October 9, 2015 and amended on November 15, 2016 for Noel Foster, Foster Trucking, 1561 Bunker Lake Boulevard NE, due to non-compliance. Thefts & Damage to Property 11.09 35xx 168 Ave NE—Fake email from a school requesting money; no money loss 11.11 160xx Bataan St NE—Attempted Xcel Energy scam; no money loss 11.11 170xx Vickers St NE—Craigslist scam; tickets never received, $400 loss 11.12 152xx Central Ave NE—Dump trailer stolen from the property 11.13 133xx Pierce St NE—Computer help desk scam; $4,000 loss 11.23 156xx Yalta St NE—Unsecure vehicle; purse and cash were stolen 11.26 25xx Bunker Lake Blvd NE—Unsecured snow- blower and trailer stolen from the property 11.26 22xx Crosstown Blvd NE—Theft of an unsecured “hard top” from a convertible overnight 11.26 23xx 175 Lane NE—Theft of an unsecured bicycle at a bus stop 11.27 173xx Hwy 65 NE—Theft of a vehicle from business; keys in it but cut lock on secured fence 12.03 151xx Lever St NE—Fraud; Social Security scam, no financial loss 12.04 6xx 136 Ln NE—Vehicle window smashed; wallet stolen Burglaries 11.15 162xx Aberdeen St NE—business; front door glass smashed; cash stolen 11.21 4xx 168 Ave NE—attempted Social Security scam; no money loss or information given out Arrests/Incidents 11.09 166xx Mankato St NE—Trespassing, Disor- derly Conduct; a male entered a home without per- mission. Two males were located at a home next door. Both were uncooperative and were arrested. 11.09 168xx Hwy 65 NE—Warrant Arrest; deputies responded to the location in an attempt to locate a female with an active warrant. She was arrested. 11.09 175xx Hwy 65 NE—Warrant Arrest; deputies responded to the location in an attempt to locate a male with an active warrant. He was arrested. 11.21 Hwy 65 NE/181 Ave NE—DWI; single vehicle personal injury crash at the location. The male driver appeared intoxicated. Field sobriety was unable to be performed due to his level of consciousness. Legal blood was taken. The male was released to medical staff but will be charged. 11.25 20xx 145 Ave NE—No Contact Order viola- tion; the suspect was said to be sitting outside the victim’s address revving his engine. He left prior to arrival. A probable cause pick-up was put out for his arrest. 11.26 Hwy 65/Constance Blvd NE—Stolen Property; driver stopped due to no lights on the trailer she was pulling. The deputy noticed the license plate had electrical tape on it changing the plate number. The trailer was discovered to be stolen. Drugs were also located in the vehicle. She was arrested. 11.27 154xx Jackson St NE—Warrant; a deputy went to the location to attempt to locate a male with a 5th degree drug offense warrant. The male was lo- cated and arrested without incident. 11.29 Hwy 65/154 Ave NE—2nd degree DWI; a deputy responded to a crash. When speaking with the driver, she appeared intoxicated. He also ob- served an open beer in the vehicle, along with a child. Field sobriety tests were refused. She was ar- rested. Charges were elevated due to the level of the PBT and having a child in the vehicle. 11.30 Crosstown Blvd/Hwy 65 NE—5th degree Con- trolled Substance, Felon in Possession of a Firearm; two-car crash; one car had left the scene. The car was located in a parking lot nearby. Drugs and a handgun were seen. Both drivers were arrested. 12.01 Bunker Lake Blvd/Johnson St NE—Controlled Substance; driver stopped because he knew he did not have a driver’s license. While searching the vehi- cle prior to towing it, meth was found. The male driver was arrested. 12.02 Hwy 65/Crosstown Blvd NE—3rd degree DWI; two callers reported a possible drunk driver driving the wrong way down Hwy 65. The driver ap- peared intoxicated, did not know where she was and denied driving the wrong way on 65. Field sobriety test was failed and she was arrested. Visit the City’s website to view Council meeting videos on-demand and agenda minutes of City Council, Plan- ning Commission and Park & Tree Commission meet- ings: www.ci.ham-lake.mn.us. Keep Your Packages Secure The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office has started to see a few reports in Anoka County of packages being stolen from the front step. As the holiday season approaches and online shopping popularity continues to grow, consider delivering your package to: • A local relative or trusted neighbor who’ll be home to pick it up when it arrives. • Your office where there's someone there to accept you delivery. • A PO box or UPS mailbox: be aware that these have a monthly rental cost and not all PO boxes will accept packages. Find out before you rent! • Search for a locker location near you on Amazon's Locker page or when selecting shipping options at checkout. • Opt for in-store pickup. Winter Driving Safety & Tips Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety offers these tips for safe winter driving: • Be able to see and be seen—clean frost and snow off all your windows, mirrors, lights and reflec- tors. Use your headlights in poor visibility. • Get a feel for the road—When you first start out, accelerate carefully to test wheel-spin and brake gently to test skidding. • Be gentle—Use the accelerator and brakes slowly to maintain control of your vehicle. • Increase your following distance. • Make your turns slowly and gradually. • Watch for scattered slippery spots—If you feel yourself losing control, don’t brake. Take your foot off the gas and steer as straight as you can until the car slows to a safe speed. • In an emergency, steer off the road and into a snow bank to avoid a crash. Obey Ham Lake’s Snow Rules Respect your neighbors by following the City’s policy on parking and on where to deposit snow and ice. Minnesota law makes it illegal for property owners to deposit snow or ice on any street or highway. This includes the 15-foot right-of-way back from the curb. Therefore, it’s illegal to plow snow from your driveway and move it across the street onto the right-of-way of the property across from you. Remember from October 1 through April 30, “NO PARKING” is allowed on Ham Lake streets between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am. In addition, no parking is allowed in the daytime hours during or after a two-inch snowstorm or until the streets are plowed afterwards. What’s Happening at the Senior Center Senior Center phone: 763-434-0455 Senior Center hours: Open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm The Senior Center is located on the west-side lower level of City Hall at 15544 Central Ave. NE. NOW HIRING Part-time cook for Mondays and Wednesdays. This is a paid position. Contact the Senior Cen- ter for more information! Weekly Events Senior Dining at noon on Mondays and Wednes- days ($5.00 for those 55 and older and $8.00 for those younger). Reservations Needed! Activities at the Senior Center: fitness class, pinochle, cribbage, wood carving, bingo and cards (500 and Hand & Foot). Watch for upcoming trips to the Casino (open to the public), Jam Sessions (open to the public) during the day and evening, health insurance coun- seling, scheduled shopping trips for those who need transportation, free blood pressure checks, and a birthday lunch. Call the Senior Center, at the number listed above to find out dates, times and details of these and other special events! The Senior Center will be closed Wednesday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day and Mon- day, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Special Upcoming Events Open to the Public Jam Session—Thursday, January 9 at 7:00 pm Jam Session—Tuesday, January 21 at 1:00 pm Senior Dance—2nd Friday of each month. Live music and refreshments. January 10 will feature Michael Elsenpeter from 1:00-4:00 pm. Come dance or just listen to the music! $8 per person. MHSRC Defensive Driving Courses—These courses are open to the public for those age 55 and older. There are no courses scheduled at this time. November Building Permits The City of Ham Lake issued 116 permits in Novem- ber with a valuation of $2,361,955.00. The issued permits are as follows: two commercial sign, eight residential new construction, one residential addi- tion, one residential accessory building, two residen- tial basement finish, one residential deck, one residential fence, one residential pool, one residen- tial window, 46 residential roofing and siding. Other permits include 33 mechanical, 12 plumbing and seven septic installations. Fire Department Calls The Ham Lake Fire Department responded to 38 calls during November: 18 during the day and 20 at night. These included 7 structure calls (2 CO alarms, 3 fire alarms, and 2 gas smell), 19 medical calls, 8 rescues, 2 mutual aid calls, 1 vehicle call and 1 misc. call. The department spent 18 hours on calls with total personnel time adding up to 291 hours. Year-to-date, the department has answered 493 calls, compared with 459 calls at the same time last year. Why Does Ham Lake Plow Snow this Way? Dealing with large amounts of snow is a challenge for everyone, including the City’s snow plow drivers. During and after large snowfalls, the city receives many calls related to plowing. One very popular question is “When will the plow get to my street?” The City of Ham Lake understands the importance of efficient and timely snow removal and ice control. Snow plowing policy and processes are reviewed annually to provide for safe travels for the greatest number of people on the 158 miles of City-managed roadways. The Public Works Department reviews a map of the City’s public street systems that clearly delineates thoroughfare and local residential streets. The map is then divided into six routes and four cul-de-sac routes for purposes of snow removal and ice control. Within each of the areas, the City has classified city streets based on the street function, relative traffic volume and im- portance to the welfare of the community. Those streets are classified as: • Priority A streets will be plowed first. These are higher volume streets that connect major sections of the city and provide access for emergency fire, police and medical services. • Priority B streets are plowed next. These provide access to schools and commercial businesses. • Priority C are low-volume residential streets which are plowed after Priority B streets. • Priority “D” are cul-de-sacs and are plowed last. The Public Works Superintendent or designated representative monitors street conditions to determine the timing and amount of equipment and personnel necessary to clear the streets. During large snowfalls, the City has six trucks dispatched to plow. The plows are assigned to specific sections of the City and when they leave the shop or hub, plowing is done from the hub to outlying parts of the City. This saves time, is a more efficient way to plow and prevents plows from having to backtrack on streets already plowed. Snow plows discharge snow on the right-hand side of the truck, or curbside. The routes are designed to allow the trucks to always take right-hand turns to limit time spent backing up and turning around. Maneuvering a large plow truck is more difficult than a passenger vehicle, especially when there are mounds of snow to drive around and through. Plows travel at an average speed of 10-20 mph, but that pace can be impacted by the amount and weight of snow, traffic, obstacles in the roadways, etc. To help the plow drivers, please be sure all unattended vehicles are off City streets during or after a snowfall until streets have been cleared (per article 6-121 of the City Code). Some roadways within the City are managed by MnDOT or the Anoka County Highway Department. Exam- ples of these are Highway 65 (managed by MnDOT), Constance Boulevard, Crosstown Boulevard, Bunker Lake Boulevard and Radisson Road (managed by the Anoka County Highway Department). Questions or concerns about those roads or conditions should be directed to the responsible organization: • MnDOT Information Center: M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Phone: 651-296-3000. • Anoka County Highway Department: M-F, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Phone: 763-324-3100. Robert Hoffmann, DC Valorie Hoffmann, DC 763-434-5714 Awarded 2019 Best Doctors by Minnesota Monthly Magazine Public Notice The City of Ham Lake hereby gives public notice of its intent to aerate Ham Lake to prevent winterkill of game fish. The City intends to use mobile systems which may be used at any time. The aeration systems will cause areas of thin ice and open water that fluctuate greatly. If you have any questions concerning the aeration system, please contact Ham Lake City Hall at 763-434-9555. Warning: Stay Clear of Designated Areas! Community Calendar Jan. 1: City Hall closed in observance of New Year’s Day Jan. 6: City Council mtg, City Hall 6:00 pm Jan. 8: The Ham Laker deadline for the February issue Jan. 13: Planning Commission meeting, City Hall 6:00 pm Jan. 15: Park & Tree Commission meeting, City Hall 6:00 pm Jan. 20: City Hall closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 21: City Council mtg, City Hall 6:00 pm Jan. 27: Planning Commission meeting, City Hall 6:00 pm RECYCLE 2 ITEMS FREE This coupon entitles the bearer to recycle two (2) items free on: Saturday, January 25, 2020 at: Green Lights Recycling, Inc. 10040 Davenport Street NE Blaine, MN 55449-4423 Phone: 763-785-0456 Drop off hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This coupon must be presented when bringing your items for recycling. The bearer must provide a driver’s license or some form of identification showing he/she is a resident of Ham Lake. Are You an Entrepreneur at Heart?  Need a trusted business advisor? A free business consultant? Money to start or expand your business? The Ham Lake Open To Business program could be just what you need to get going. Free one-on-one counseling with a business advisor and assistance in identifying financial resources are available. For more information or to get started, call Carrie Mikkonen at 763-438-7315 or email her at: cmikkonen@mccdmn.org Santa’s Visit Recap In early December, the Ham Lake Fire Department again brought Santa to neighborhoods throughout the city. Winter temperatures were pleasant, snow covered the ground and Santa was on display as children of all ages enjoyed this annual community event. Firefighters and other helpers passed out candy canes and collected residents’ food donations. The extraordinary generosity of Ham Lake citizens was again on display! A new record amount of 7,560 pounds of food and $697 in cash was collected from you, and delivered to the North Anoka County Emergency Food Shelf. On behalf of the firefighters of the Ham Lake Fire Department, a sincere thank you to everyone who participated. We hope to see you again next year! Merry Christmas!! Thinking Spring Already: High Water Levels Frequent and heavy rains across the Coon Creek area this fall caused creeks, lakes, ponds and wetlands to be at their highest levels in years. With saturated soils and high levels of water already seen in fall, the ability of the drainage system to hold the predicted higher snowmelt next spring looks compromised. Once the snow melts, be prepared for extra-saturated low areas, especially in drainage easements (or “drainage and utility” easement). Check your plat to see if there’s one on your property. Floodplain elevations or wetlands might be harder to see or find but are no less important. They function as floodwater storage areas on the landscape. Usually by fall, they’re lower from summer evaporation and plants taking up water then transpiring it through leaves. This fall, though, we had so much rain, spring storage capacity is low. To reduce property damage from flooding please keep sheds, equipment, landscape materials, piles of debris (including piles of grass clippings or leaves) out of low areas. If you plan to landscape or build on your property this year, you need to check that your activity won’t cause flooding. If your property is located within the Coon Creek Watershed District (97% of Ham Lake), please fill out our Technical Assistance form for two hours of free review. It’s available on our website or by mail or email, or come to our office for a hard copy. Allow at least three months for the process and any necessary permits. Questions? Contact the Coon Creek Watershed District at 763-755-0975 or online www.cooncreekwd.org. Ham Laker, Taylor Fondie, Wins Miss Minnesota USA Taylor Fondie, 22, was crowned Miss Minnesota USA on December 1st at the Ames Center in Burnsville. Taylor is a Blaine High School alumni and former Minnesota Vikings cheerleader. She currently attends Bethel University for Broadcast Journalism and Sports Reporting. Taylor will spend the next year traveling the state, making appearances, getting involved with charities near to her heart and representing the great state of Minnesota at the nationally-televised Miss USA com- petition. Congratulations, Taylor! You can follow her journey on Instagram at: @missmnusa. If you’re interested in having Taylor attend an event near you, you can submit a request at: www.missminnesotausa.com/appearance. Ham Lake resident, Taylor Fondie, was recently crowned Miss Minnesota USA Recycling Event • January 25 Residents may drop off recyclable items at Green Lights Recycling (10040 Davenport Street NE in Blaine) on January 25, 2020 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Two items can be recycled at no charge by pre- senting the coupon below. For a list of accepted items go to www.glrnow.com and click We Recycle. NOTE: To improve traffic flow during the event, please use the entrance on 99th Lane NE (from Hwy 65 turn east onto 99th Ave N). Contact Green Lights Recycling at 763-785-0456 or the City of Ham Lake Recycling Coordinator at 763- 434-9555 if you have any questions. Submit Your Reservations for Use of the City’s Ballfields The Ham Lake Park and Tree Commission is accept- ing reservation requests for ballfield and soccer field use in 2020. Mail your request to reserve fields to: City of Ham Lake, 15544 Central Avenue NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304. Or email your request to: nwheeler@ci.ham-lake.mn.us. The deadline for submitting requests is noon on Tuesday, January 7th. The Park and Tree Commission asks that a represen- tative from each organization submitting a request be present at the January 15 Park and Tree Commis- sion meeting. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Ham Lake City Council chambers. 7,560 pounds of donated food on its way to NACE!