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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2016The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents October 2016 Rice Creek Commons site is officially ready for redevelopment Decades after it was a place where people worked, the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP), now Rice Creek Commons, is officially ready for new life and activ- ity. The site is an important part of Arden Hills’ past and future but more recently was known for significant environmental contamination that had previously limited redevelopment. That has now changed as work to clear and clean the site has reached an important new milestone. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has awarded a Certificate of Completion for the site’s cleanup efforts. Arden Hills and Ramsey County have cre- ated a Joint Development Authority (JDA) which has worked to plan for the right way to redevelop it. Now that the clean-up is complete, work can focus on new homes, stores, and jobs in this significant part of Arden Hills. “This is a monumental time in Arden Hills’ history. Rice Creek Commons will help our already thriving community continue to grow by attracting residents, jobs, and busi- nesses,” said David Grant, Mayor of Arden Hills. “The City of Arden Hills, along with our other partners, worked so hard over the past three years to ensure that this valuable piece of property could be utilized in a way that will benefit our City, the County, as well as the whole State. We are thrilled to start development and see what the future holds for Rice Creek Commons.” The 427-acre site was origi- nally home to the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant for many years, resulting in haz- ardous materials polluting the soil. In 2013, working with Arden Hills, Ramsey County bought the property with the intent to clean the soil and redevelop the site. The cleanup efforts were completed in November 2015 after removing 93 percent of the concrete, metal and other materials to meet residen- tial standards. The site will be officially removed from the state’s Superfund list (a collection of all sites in Minnesota that are too hazardous for development) in 2017. “We are at an important place in this com- plex process,” Grant said. “While crews worked to clear buildings and clean up the contamination, we were working with other partners on a plan for what happens next. What is the right way to bring together new homes, businesses, and community space within a coordinated plan and vision? As exciting as it is to see the clean-up happen, we think the redevelopment vision is just as significant.” by Mike Zipko of Zipko Strategy Arden Hills has hired the public relations company Zipko Strategy in partnership with the Connelly-Kuhl Group to help articulate the City’s vision for the Rice Creek Commons project. The St. Paul- based company provides communica- tions services for businesses, non-profits, government, and advocacy groups. The contract was approved by the City Council on August 29. Arden Hills Mayor David Grant speaks at an August 10 event to celebrate the awarding of the project’s Certificate of Completion. When fully redeveloped, Rice Creek Com- mons will serve as a mixed-use site that will be home to residential properties, retail properties, and a business district. Plans are underway to make this a sustainable, walkable community with parks and other community space. Developers are expect- ing that in the next 10-15 years there will be 1,400 new homes and 4,000 jobs at the site. Alatus LLC of Minneapolis is the master developer for the redevelopment. Arden Hills will continue to share more information as the work continues. To learn more about Rice Creek Commons please visit ricecreekcommons.com There’s an election on the way!Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. In addition to national and state offices, Arden Hills residents will elect three Councilmembers. Learn about the candidates and your voting options on pages 3 through 6 of this newsletter. City hires Zipko Strategy After years of cleanup, Rice Creek Commons has received a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Certificate of Completion Arden Hills Service Directory 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 www.cityofardenhills.org Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sheriff and Fire 911 Water and Sewer Problems (During non-business hours) 651-767-0640 Mayor: David Grant 651-538-0747 dgrant@cityofardenhills.org Councilmembers: Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 bholden@cityofardenhills.org Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 fholmes@cityofardenhills.org Dave McClung 651-332-0352 davemcclung@comcast.net Jonathan Wicklund 651-278-8077 jwicklund@cityofardenhills.org Acting City Administrator: Sue Iverson 651-792-7816 siverson@cityofardenhills.org Communications Committee Editors/writers: Susan Cathey, Tina Kulzer Council Liaison: Jonathan Wicklund Staff Liaison: Julie Hanson Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek Council meetings are held at City Hall on the second and last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of the Planning Commission are televised as well. Visit www.cityofardenhills.org for information about archived meeting playbacks. Arden Hills Notes is the official news- letter of the City of Arden Hills, an equal-opportunity employer. 2 Recreation news for man and beast Kids (ages 3-12) and their famil i e s can win prizes at a carnival, pl a y Ghost Bingo, make Halloween crafts, carve and decorate a pu m p - kin, and share in a pizza dinne r . Saturday, October 22 5:30 – 7:00 pm City Hall Pre-registration is required Registration deadline is Wedne s - day, October 19 $10.00 per person – children m u s t be accompanied by a paid adul t Get ready for Boo Bash Recreation and civic involvement are important contributors to the quality of life in Arden Hills. Here are a few notes about why this is such a good place to live: Off-leash dog park now open at Perry Park Baseball field No. 4 at Perry Park, located on the north side of the parking lot adjacent to the park pavilion and playground, has been repurposed as a fully enclosed dog run. This Little League ball field has seen minimal use for several years due to a decline in the popularity of the program. Ball field fencing already in place provides the bulk of the contain- ment needed to prepare the area for its new use. Approximately $4,000 in additional fencing has been added to close off dugout entrances and gaps in outfield fencing. A fenced-in staging area with a double gate has also been added to allow owners to bring in their dogs and remove their leashes before entering. These fencing modifications al- low for easy conversion back to a ball field if Little League programming returns. Parks and Recreation Coordinator Sara Grant reports that the changes are popular with resident dog owners and the park is seeing heavy use. Compared to the off-leash area at Hazelnut Park, where there is a long hill to traverse to get to the off-leash area, this dog park offers better accessibility. Dog owners can also take advantage of the ball field bleachers to take a break while their dogs get exercise. Operation of this dog park is the same as the hours established at Hazelnut Park: • Season of operation: May 1 – November 1 • Hours of operation: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Our thanks to the Roberts Management Group! Roberts Management Group (RMG) has provided a $1,000 donation to the Arden Hills Foundation for Parks and Recreation Department event programming. This donation was used in part to support the popular Bark and Rec Day in July at Perry Park. RMG also sent staff (with their dogs and families) to the event, where they were able to talk with attendees and provide community infor- mation. Remaining funds will support future Parks and Recreation events. Roberts Management Group is a Com- mercial Property Owner and Developer of Lexington Station, Red Fox Business Center, and other commercial properties in Arden Hills. by Tina Kulzer 3 Local election contests, voting information and more! Dan Burns (4-year) I spent my formative years just south of Arden Hills in Roseville. Most recently, my wife Rachel and I, moved to Arden Hills as we found a wonderful opportunity to become a member of this community for years to come. Rachel works for Concur Technologies in St. Louis Park. I work downtown Minneapolis for Wells Fargo Bank NA. I have five years experience working for the Federal Government, Department of Homeland Security, 10 years experience working for an insurance company, and five years experience working for a Board of Pensions. I am a graduate of the University of St. Thomas - BA - Operations Management, University of St. Thomas – MBA- Finance. I’m an active member of the men’s club and volunteer at my church. Additionally, I volunteer through the Wells Fargo Volunteers program. Candidate Statement First and foremost, I believe that with my inclusion in the City Council, I would bring a new and fresh perspective to current and future initiatives. As your community representative, I would work diligently and conscientiously to couple this perspective with the wants and desires of our residents through the pursuit and consideration of resident input. In circumstances where I would serve to facilitate and/or guide a project, I would do so to assure a fair and equitable outcome for all parties, whether it be public works initiatives or the Rice Creek Commons undertaking. Having worked at an insurance company, pension board and bank, I am passionate and driven by sound fiscal management. I would work to assure limited waste. In doing so, I would collaborate with other entities to accomplish City initiatives while practicing mindful fiscal responsibility and conservatism. In addition, residing only a short time in Arden Hills, I have a great appreciation for the natural beauty of our neighborhoods. That being said, my other passion is to serve as a steward and custodian of our environmental resources. This stewardship would result in supporting green initiatives. I am very excited about this opportunity to serve on the Council with energy and enthusiasm. This is a great chance to have a new voice on the Council and to potentially shift the paradigm. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. On these pages you’ll find information about the local elections and details about where to vote. General election information: The City of Arden Hills has contracted with Ramsey County to administer elections. The County is us- ing new ballot counters beginning this year. New accessible ballot marking devices for elderly and disabled voters will be available as well. Although voters will still be marking paper ballots, there are some minor differences to be aware of. You may see an example of the new machine on display at City Hall. A video demonstrating its use can be viewed on the Ramsey County website www.ramseycounty.us/residents/elections-voting. Precinct information Poll hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day. Arden Hills has three precincts: • Precinct 1: Presbyterian Church of the Way, 3382 Lexington Avenue N. 55126 • Precinct 2: Valentine Hills Elementary School, 1770 County Road E2 55112 • Precinct 3: Ramsey County Public Works, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive 55112 Absentee voting options: You may vote before Election Day by casting an absentee ballot at City Hall, the County Elections Office, or by mail. For more information on absentee ballots, go to the City website or to the Ramsey County website above. About the City Council race: In addition to national and state offices, Arden Hills residents will be voting for three City Councilmembers. Brenda Holden and Dave McClung have terms expiring on December 31, 2016. Those seats have four-year terms. Five candidates, including the two incumbents, have filed for the two, four-year seats. Councilmember Jonathan Wicklund’s seat is also expiring on December 31, 2016. He was appointed due to the death of Councilmem- ber Robert Woodburn. Since there were more than two years remaining in Councilmember Woodburn’s term, under state law, that seat is up for re-election for a special two-year term. Two candidates have filed for the single two-year seat. Following are statements by each candidate. Brenda Holden (4-year, incumbent) My husband, Jim Holden and I have lived on Beckman Ave in the SW corner of Arden Hills for over 35 years. I served on the City’s newsletter committee prior to joining the City Council in 2002 and have had the privilege of serving on the Arden Hills City Council for the past 15 years. I am recently retired as Director of Operations of the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System. My participation on boards includes: TCAAP Joint Development Au- thority, TCAAP Energy Resiliency Committee, Lake Johanna Fire Department and Relief Association, Northeast Youth and Family Services, Minnesota Advisory Council on Patient Safety, and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless. I am an active member of Nativity Lutheran Church. When Jim dealt with serious medical issues in 2013, I was reminded of the importance of neighbors, community and our own back yards. Candidate Statement It is crucial to current and future Arden Hills taxpayers that the 427-acre TCAAP development be a complementary extension of our cur- rent City. TCAAP development must be sensitive to current residents who are already burdened with traffic issues and we must continue to work with the Metropolitan Council to provide bus service (A line) to Arden Hills and TCAAP. I will continue to push for developments throughout the City that reflect our community. The former library property was placed back on the tax rolls with custom homes. The Round Lake business area continues to bring in high-end companies. I encourage and support pedestrian-friendly retail, such as Lexington Station, for Lexington Avenue and County Road E. We need to focus on encouraging businesses to create public amenities, shared parking, and trails. These partnerships have and will al- low the City to add and connect trails. I am always seeking out opportunities for grants and partnerships that keep cost and taxes down while providing quality services. I strive to ensure infrastructure is a priority and have led the Council to establish trail, sewer, park, and recreational courts maintenance programs to reduce costs. I will continue to move the City to reduce energy consumption by using best practices in recycling, lighting, City buildings and property. My name is Tania Dreon and I am running for a four year term on the Arden Hills City Council. I have been a resident of Arden Hills for three years this fall. My husband grew up in Arden Hills and went to college here as well. We have two young children. I am a Certified Public Accountant with ten years experience in audit, finance and process improvement. Most recently I was in management at Ernst and Young (EY), one of the big four accounting firms. While at EY, I served as the Vice Chair of their Minneapolis Professional Women’s Network. I am currently a stay-at-home mom. In my spare time I like to read, cook and be outdoors. Candidate Statement I am passionate about our community. I care about maximizing the use of our parks, lakes and local businesses through safer roadways and more pedestrian-friendly trails and sidewalks. I believe it is important to balance short term needs with the long term vision for our City when making decisions around development. Arden Hills has a unique opportunity right now with TCAAP, and it is necessary that we create a space that is desirable to new and existing residents and businesses now and in the long term. I make decisions based on research and evidence. I value consistency but appreciate when new information warrants change. I am ex- perienced in listening, researching and developing solutions to problems. If elected, I look forward to connecting with fellow residents to learn what is working well for them and where there are opportunities for improvement. I want to be a resource for those that have questions or need help. I want to help make sure that the community we live in retains all of the qualities we love about it while also looking ahead to the future. I would consider it an honor to be elected to the Council and have the opportunity to serve the residents of Arden Hills through this role 4 Tania Dreon (4-year) Steven L. Jones (4-year) My wife Belinda and I moved to Arden Hills in 1999 from the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul. Our two sons moved with us, our daughter joined our family in 2002. Belinda teaches in the Roseville School District. Isaac graduated from Mounds View High School in 2015 and is now in college. Levi (2017) and Lillian (2020) both at- tend MVHS - Go Mustangs! We are active members of the Centennial United Methodist Church as well as Boy Scouts, Job’s Daughters and numerous school and community endeavors. I have enjoyed working on the Arden Hills Planning Commission for nearly three years. I have a degree in HVAC design and hold a license in Wisconsin as a Designer of Engineering Systems. I have worked in the mechani- cal engineering field for over 22 years, with more than 16 years at the Gustave A. Larson Co. where I oversee the North Central Region design and engineering department. Candidate Statement First and foremost, I highly recommend to anyone interested, get involved with one or more of the numerous committees and com- missions in the City of Arden Hills. They offer citizens a look at the inner workings of our City government, as well as a voice as to its future. The past two-and-a-half years on the planning commission, working with the City Council, fellow commissioners, residents and local businesses have proven very rewarding. My initial interest in the planning commission was the expansion and development of our City into the TCAAP area. Living in a part of our city about as far from the TCAAP as you can get, I often talk to neighbors about the future of our entire City. My interest in the City Council is much the same. The next ten to twenty years promise many changes to the City of Arden Hills. Population, land mass, jobs, housing, business climate, tax revenues and expenditures, firefighting and policing, and many others will all be affected. Will the new services and utilities offered, be they internet access, public WiFi, fiber optics, trash, recycling, green energy, etc… be City-wide? I’ll work to insure they are. Dave McClung (4-year, incumbent) I have been proud to represent you as a City Council member these last four years as well as from 2006 – 2010. I am running for re-election to keep Arden Hills an ideal place to work, play, and live. I have a long track record of advocating for the residents of Arden Hills, and I am asking for your vote to allow me to continue that advocacy for you. My family has been involved in the life of the Arden Hills community since before we were a City. My Grand- father Rex McClung served on the first City Council and my family has continued our service to Arden Hills tirelessly over the years. Candidate Statement First and foremost I believe in communication and listening to the thoughts and concerns of residents. I have always been open and approachable and willing to have a discussion about what is best for the future of Arden Hills. This has never changed and will never change. I will work to focus the City’s budgetary priorities on critical City services: health and public safety; building roads and maintaining our infrastructure; providing sewer and water services; and maintaining safe, clean parks and trails for all residents. I will work tirelessly to ensure that development on TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons brings value to existing Arden Hills and the sur- rounding community and continues our tradition of valuing parks and open-space. If re-elected, I will remain: • Committed to a family-friendly City • Responsive to resident concerns • Dedicated to responsible City budgeting I ask for your support and vote on November 8th. 5 Steve Scott (2-year) I am 64 years old and have been an Arden Hills resident since 1996, with my wife Eileen and our now adult children Kelly and Alex. Education: MBA, Western New England University, Springfield, MA; BBA, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA; AFROTC Graduate, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA; AA/AT Data Processing, Pierce College, Tacoma, WA Occupation: Information Technology, U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs (current) Prior public sector: Tacoma Public Schools and U.S. Air Force Prior private sector: Federal Reserve Bank, commercial banking, credit union service providers and Europe’s largest certification/quality management body; W2 and 1099 independent IT consultant work Relevant Civic Experience: Arden Hills Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee since 2008 (chair in 2011); Head and Assistant Head election judge since 2004; “Celebrating Arden Hills” Planning Committees; ISD 621 Facilities and Technology Committees; Currently representing the City with my wife on the Suburban Ramsey County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon steering group. Candidate Statement I am seeking the Council seat currently open via special election for three reasons: 1. TCAAP is the largest, most complex and riskiest project the City will ever undertake. It will dominate local and regional policy for years to come. The Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee developed a master plan for the PTRC portion in each of the three planned TCAAP neighborhoods consistent with the existing recreational and green space amenities which have made Arden Hills a top suburban community to raise a family. The initial plan recently presented by our master developer differs significantly in this vision. It emphasizes more density including high rise (15-20 story) condominiums at the expense of our recreation and green spaces. I hold federal certifications in project management and contracting with decades of experience in driving large enterprise projects. I will work diligently to preserve the suburban feel of our suburban community. 2. The Council still needs to be proactive to the needs of our existing business communities. My formal education is in business with extensive private and public sector experience. I will work on policies to attract new businesses and keep our existing partners com- petitive. 3. Lastly, as a veteran and as the City’s co-representative on the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, I want to forge a stronger rela- tionship with the City’s substantial military community, their families and our neighbors. Nicholas Tamble (2-year) I currently Founder and CEO of Lawn and Landscape Gardens Ltd., a landscape design, installation and mainte- nance company based in Arden Hills. I provide oversight as well as Sales and Marketing Management to LLG, who is a leading provider for beautification of outdoor spaces in the Twin Cities North Metro. I have appeared on HGTV and Twin Cities Live and have branded DIY and How-To videos on HGVids.com and YouTube. I was raised in Roseville, Minnesota and have been a resident of Arden Hills with my wife Kim for 17 years. We have a 5-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who recently started kindergarten at Snail Lake. I am an alumnus of Cretin-Der- ham Hall and Concordia University St. Paul where I received a BA in Education and minor in Studio Art. Other course work has been completed in the areas of Environmental Horticulture, Geology and Water Quality. I love to travel with family and friends as well as scuba diving, fishing, writing and of course, gardening! Candidate Statement I was appointed to Arden Hills City Council in 2011 and served on the newsletter and website committees. My two-year tenure was spent learning the inner workings of the City, and I participated in the decision-making process of the extensive road work renovations that we are still experiencing today. The development of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP), now referred to as Rice Creek Commons, has many moving parts that I have a working knowledge of and special interest in. With my extensive experience in Stormwater Management and membership with Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, I will be able to readily contribute to develop- ment processes with our ever changing climate and provide guidance to the Public Works Department. Ultimately I am hopeful to im- prove the communication processes among the committees, especially Parks and Recreation, and will promote broader resident partici- pation in the dealings of the City. With more young families choosing Arden Hills as home, I will bring 26 years of business experience to promote modern-day conveniences that stem from economic development. I will provide leadership skills that bring our City and adjacent communities closer together as we work together on the many projects that are at our doorstep! 6 In March of 2016, they won the United States’ first world championship in Lon- don. Then it was on to the Olympics in Rio, where they rode at a record-breaking pace and took the silver medal behind Great Britain. Relief at their strong finish after all the hard work and preparation was perhaps the high point for Kelly at the Olympics. She also enjoyed the surreal feeling of standing on the winners’ podium. Kelly is now looking forward to college life at the University of Minnesota and her studies in math and Chinese. Her goal is medical school and then a career in pathology and oncology. She has plans for Julie Hanson, who joined the City as Deputy Clerk in 2015, was appointed to the City Clerk position effective June 13, 2016. Julie reports, “I am excited to have been afforded the opportunity to serve the residential and business communities of Arden Hills in my new role as City Clerk. I look forward to working closely with our resi- dents, the City Council, and City boards and commissions as I perform key job responsibilities such as Council agenda packet preparation, business licensing, pro- viding support to other City departments, and elections administration, to name just a few.” A motion to appoint Jolene Trauba as the Deputy Clerk, effective July 11, 2016, was approved by the City Council as well. “I am thrilled to be promoted to Deputy Clerk after work- ing at the City of Arden Hills for only six months,” Jolene says. “I look forward to as- sisting with agenda packets, licensing of businesses, elections, Council meetings and helping the Planning Depart- ment.” Hanson and Trauba appointed to City posts Hiring a tree maintenance service de- serves careful consideration and cau- tion. While City staff is not authorized to recommend a specific contractor, residents are urged to consider the following: • Most reputable companies have all the work they can handle without going door-to-door. Many times, door-knockers are looking to earn quick money. • Do not be rushed to make a decision and never pay in advance. • Obtain multiple bids, compare estimates, and always ask for references. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau to check the company’s reputation. • Get a written contract that outlines expectations such as dates, work to be performed, clean-up details, and costs. Hiring a tree service? July 25, 2016 • Approved Municipal Consent of Reso- lution 2016-025 approving layout of I-35W MnPASS Project SP 6284-172 (4-1 McClung). • Approved Planning Case 16-016 – for Final PUD Phase 2 of Land O’ Lakes based on the finding of facts and submitted plans, and the 22 conditions in the July 25, 2016, Report to the City Council (5-0). August 8, 2016 • Authorized Request for Proposals for Engineering Services for the Bethel Trail (5-0). August 29, 2016 • Accepted a proposal from C.W. Houle Inc. in the amount of $8,000 for the addition of a catch basin at 1776 Venus Avenue and a proposal from Quibzon Outdoor in the amount of $1,475 to grade an overflow swale (5-0). • Accepted a proposal from Midwest Asphalt Corporation for the bitumi- nous mill and overlay in the amount of $44,394 for Shorewood Drive (5-0). Note: Other actions were approved. Com- plete City Council minutes are available at www.cityofardenhills.org Benchmarks: A summary of City Council action Want to know more about what’s hap- pening in your City? Be sure to check out www.cityofardenhills.org Arden Hills’ Kelly Catlin is having a whirlwind year. The Olympic track cyclist won a team world championship in March, medaled in Rio in August, and started college in September. Kelly, a triplet, grew up in Arden Hills and graduated from Mounds View High School in 2014. Her cycling career started on a unicycle, as a member of the Twin Cities Unicycle Club. Both she and her brother rode for Roseville High School’s moun- tain biking team. In 2014, she competed in the Nature Valley Grand Prix and was discovered by USA Cycling. That led to her attending a track cycling camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado and making the women’s team. In 2015, the team won silver in team pursuit. another world championship event in two years. Clearly a risk-taker, she offers this advice: “If you commit to something, it can take you anywhere. You never know what will happen.” Arden Hills cyclist wins silver in Rio Kelly Catlin (second from right) and her teammates News and Notes from City Hall 7 by Susan Cathey I n s i d e Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 Rice Creek Commons moves ahead New dog park open at Perry Park Election information Arden Hills has an Olympic medal winner ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid Twin Cites, MN Permit #1962 Once lines are cleaned, Public Works inspects the lines via a robotic camera. The camera is about six inches in diameter by two feet long and takes motion pictures as it travels down the sanitary sewer line. Public Works is looking for anything that may need maintenance, including cracked linings, roots intrusion, sags in the line, and misaligned joints. Roots can be removed, but some of the other items may require digging up the sewer line in order to per- form needed repairs. Some of the sanitary sewer lines are old and made of older materials, even clay in some cases. These older lines are on a maintenance schedule to be relined in place. This process installs a liner without having to dig up the road to reach the line. Sanitary sewer lines flow downhill by gravity and with our many hills there is ample ability for the sewer to flow. The dif- ficulty comes when the wastewater reaches the bottom of the hill. The solution is a lift station that pumps the water uphill so that it can continue to flow down the next hill. Arden Hills has 14 lift stations. Our lift stations appear as concrete platforms with electrical boxes on the platform. Most are visible from City streets, but some are in remote locations. Postal Customer People are familiar with City water service. We purchase water from St. Paul, put it in one of two City water towers and deliver it to your home or busi- ness via a pressurized waterline. The water is available when you turn on the faucet, the shower or flush the toilet. What you may not be as familiar with is what hap- pens to the wastewater when it leaves your home or business and just what the City does every day to make that happen. The wastewater as it leaves your home or business ends up in the City sanitary sewer, what most of us would simply call the sewer. This is not to be confused with road runoff that drains into catch basins which empty into what is called the storm sewer, what most of us would simply call the storm drain. The two are not physically connected but they share similar names and are both located in the street. Sewer lines are located deep beneath the manhole covers which are generally locat- ed in the middle of the street. I sometimes get asked what Public Works is doing with the large truck parked in the middle of the street. The large truck is called “The Jetter” and it is the largest vehicle in the City fleet, even making our snow plows look small. The Jetter is used to wash the inside of the sewer line. Our goal is to clean sanitary sewer lines every three years. If the lift station stops functioning for an extended period of time, there is the pos- sibility of wastewater backup, also known as a sewer backup. One type of wastewa- ter backup is when the lift station does not pump wastewater over the next hill. Eventually wastewater fills the line and the pressure from uphill wastewater, can force wastewater into homes at the bottom of the hill. To ensure that our lift stations are functioning properly, they are electroni- cally monitored and an onsite inspection is done daily. This is one of the reasons you may see a City vehicle out on the week- ends. The physical inspection ensures that if something is wrong that the electronic monitoring has not yet reported, Public Works becomes aware and can take appro- priate corrective action. In the event of a power outage, the City has backup genera- tors that can be deployed to lift stations. Our sanitary sewer reaches an interceptor that takes the wastewater to the Metropoli- tan Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Paul. There several steps are taken to clean the wastewater before it can eventually be re- leased to public waters owned by the State. The costs of cleaning, inspecting, repair- ing, monitoring, lining, and operating the sanitary sewer are included in utility bills. Operating and maintaining the sanitary sewer may not be as visible as other Public Works functions, but it is an important City Service. Sincerely, David Grant Mayor News from the Mayor’s office The line down under... What is it? This gadget is a robotic camera. It crawls through the City’s sanitary sewer lines. The images it sends help the City monitor the condition of the utility.