MnDOT Announces Funding for I-94 Phase One Expansion Project COMMUNICATION

Transcription

1 CITY NEWS Town Center Drive NE Winter 2013 COMMUNICATION MnDOT Announces Funding for I-94 Phase One Expansion Project I-94 Coalition Advocacy Efforts for I-94 Expansion Pay Off! On November 14 th, Governor Mark Dayton and MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle announced that $35-46 million has been allocated to the I-94 phase one expansion project from Highway 101 to Highway 241, as one of the first projects to be funded by the newly created Corridors of Commerce program in According to St. Michael City Administrator Steve Bot, who is also the Chair of the I-94 West Corridor Coalition, the announcement is great news for the residents and businesses in the St. Michael area as well as the entire state of Minnesota. Before the announcement, no capacity improvements were planned to occur on I-94 for the next 20 years. For this reason, getting additional lanes on I-94 the top goal in 2013 by the St. Michael City Council. Mayor Jerry Zachman recently thanked our local Representatives: Senator Mary Kiffmeyer and Representative David FitzSimmons, as well as U.S. House Representative Michele Bachmann, for making the needs of the community a top priority and for their tireless efforts in helping make this project become a reality in such a short timeframe. The I-94 Coalition was founded in 2008 as a subsidiary of the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce, with strong support from then Chairman, Michael Altimari of the J&B Group of St. Michael. In partnership with local and regional businesses, cities, and counties, the sole mission of the Coalition has been to advocate for expansion of the I-94 corridor that will benefit communities and businesses along the entire corridor. Administrator Bot stated this is the first step in our goal of expanding I-94 capacity to St. Cloud. The initial expansion phase of I-94 will increase safety and reduce congestion over the Crow River between the cities of Rogers and St. Michael for commuters, cabin travelers and freight. The I-94 Corridor Coalition has been a staunch proponent of judging investment projects upon the return on investment. The announcement is a vital first step. The Coalition intends to be back at the legislature advocating for additional transportation funding for the Corridors of Commerce program for I-94 improvements from Maple Grove to St. Cloud. For more information on the project and the coalition or to show your support, please go to Public transportation rides are available for all ages for the areas of Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, and St. Michael. Service will be provided to the Crow River Senior Center, banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, hair salons, doctors, dentists, post office, food shelf, and more. Two days per week service running on TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. From 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (first actual pick up will be at 9:45 last 2:15). The cost is $1.25 per one way trip. One day advanced notice required. To schedule your trips call the River Rider office at or COMMISSION OPENINGS The City Council is seeking applicants for two open positions on the Planning Commission, which meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in applying for a position on the Planning Commission, please submit a letter and/or resume outlining any qualifications or points of interest you have for the position to the City Clerk by January 4, The new terms begin February 2014.

2 EXTRA HOLIDAY RECYCLING PICK-UP December 31 AND January 3 Additional trucks and staff will be in St. Michael for one week only on your designated pick up day to handle all excess recycling. Remember, you must have your recycling out by 7:00am on your recycle day. Please help our City Recycling Contractor, Advanced Disposal, by having your extra recycling prepared correctly for pick up. RECYCLING INSTRUCTIONS FOR DECEMBER 31 OR JANUARY 3 ONLY: All cardboard needs to be broken down into 3ft x 3ft bundles and placed beside your cart. Tied bundles are appreciated. Note: Large cardboard pieces that are not broken down will not be taken due to size limitations. Excess cans, glass, or paper (no gift wrap) can be set alongside your cart in white or clear plastic kitchen garbage bags or paper bags. Note: If you have recycling in black or brown garbage bags it will be left. The hauler cannot tell if it is recycling or garbage. DO NOT RECYCLE: Gift wrap, tin foil, styrofoam, packing peanuts or batteries. Due to the New Year s holiday week, recycling will fall one day later than the usual scheduled pick up day for the Thursday pick up. If your recycling is picked up Tuesdays, pick up will be Tuesday, December 31st If your recycling is picked up Thursdays, pick up will be Friday, January 3rd REMINDER: All other days throughout the year, recycling must be placed in your container. Extra containers are available for purchase ($60) or rental (additional $2.50/month). Please contact Advanced Disposal at SNOWMOBILING RULES OF OPERATION Anyone operating a snowmobile in the City is required to abide by the following rules: Hours of Operation: Sunday - Thursday 8:00am - 11:00pm Friday - Saturday 8:00am - 1:00am Speed Limit: 10 mph in all residential and commercial areas. Private Property: Snowmobiles are permitted on private property with written permission of the property owner. Operation on Lakes: Operation on lakes is permitted, except within 100 feet of any person fishing, a fish house, pedestrian or skating rink. Other Rules: Snowmobiling is not allowed on sidewalks, trails, or park property. Operation of snowmobiles in residential areas is prohibited, except between curbs on public streets. A copy of the snowmobile ordinance can be obtained at City Hall by calling , or on the City s website at: Notice to Dog Owners Dog licenses are required for any dog over the age of six months. All current dog licenses expire on December 31, To receive a dog license you must fill out an application, provide a current rabies vaccination certificate and pay the license fee of $15 per dog. Applications can be found on our website at or at City Hall. If you have any questions regarding licensing please contact the City of St. Michael s Zoning Coordinator at Avoid Sewer Backups Sanitary sewer line blockages are typically caused by roots, grease, and improper disposal of items. Do not flush diapers, disposable towelettes (baby wipes, Clorox wipes, dusting towelettes), paper towels, Swiffers, feminine hygiene products or washing machine lint. These items plug sewer lines and pumps located throughout the City. Not only are backups an inconvenience, they also require increased maintenance, therefore increasing sewer rates.

3 2014 Recycling Schedule Pick up West of Co. Rd 19: Tuesdays CARTS MUST BE AT CURB BY 7:00AM Pick up East of Co. Rd 19: Thursdays JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH 1* APRIL MAY JUNE * JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER * * OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER * * Dates marked with an asterisk (*) denote a holiday. Pick up will be one day later for the remainder of the week. Reminder: Spring Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd from 7am to 1pm. Watch for more information in our Spring Newsletter. Was your recycling missed? Call

4

5 WHEN DOES MY STREET GET PLOWED? The City of St. Michael currently has 11 roadway snowplow routes, each consisting of approximately 10+ miles, and two trail routes. The roads and trails are handled by City employees, and sidewalks are plowed by the City s sidewalk contractor. Snow accumulation of two inches or more warrants the official snow event plowing of all roads, trails and sidewalks in St. Michael. Call out is normally at 3:00am when practical, and lasts until all City roads are plowed. Other than in our high traffic areas (downtown and schools), the trails and sidewalks will often be completed the following day. Routes are generally plowed in the order of use demand. The roadways that get the most amount of traffic are plowed first (i.e. Highway 241, collector roads, etc.). What this often means is that low volume roads such as cul-de-sacs and dead ends will generally be plowed later in the day after the main collector roads have been plowed. During long snow events, the main high volume/collector routes are often plowed more than once before we are able to get to the low volume roads, but all roads will be plowed before the snow event is considered complete. Snow forecasts also play a key role in the City s plowing strategies. KEEP SNOW OFF PUBLIC ROADWAY Snowplow drivers would like to remind citizens not to push snow from driveways onto the street. Any snow left on the road or side of the road can freeze and create a hazard for snowplow drivers and equipment if they catch the frozen ridge with their plow. Minnesota Statutes prohibit plowing, shoveling, blowing, or depositing snow on a public street. The violation is a misdemeanor. In addition, the property owner and/or person dumping the snow could be liable for damages. SNOW REMOVAL From time to time you may see Public Works staff removing snow from such places as cul-de-sacs or boulevards. This is necessary to maintain capacity and safety for everyone using the roadway. This work takes place as time permits in between snow falls. CLEAR SNOW FROM HYDRANTS AND MAILBOXES Please help out by clearing snow from fire hydrants and mailboxes near your house. Street workers try to keep the snow clear from hydrants, but it is impossible to do until all streets and sidewalks are cleared. Your help is greatly appreciated by Street Workers, Firefighters and Postal Carriers. APPLICATION OF SALT TO CLEAR STREETS The City on occasion receives questions regarding the use of salt to clear streets. The effectiveness of salt is dependent on the road temperature which is impacted by both sun and traffic volumes. For example, 1 pound of salt at 30 degrees would melt around 46.3 pounds of ice. However, when the temperature drops to zero degrees, then the same 1 pound of salt will only melt about 2.5 pounds of ice. The City also does what it can to limit salt without jeopardizing safety as the use of salt is monitored by the MPCA for environmental quality purposes. Public Works monitors the condition of the City streets to ensure the safety of drivers and also uses sand and rock chips to help with traction under certain conditions.

6 Contact City Hall City of St. Michael Town Center Drive NE St. Michael, MN Phone: Fax: Police non-emergency: Police Emergency: 911 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm Friday 8:00am - 2:00pm Mayor Jerry Zachman Council Members Kevin Kasel, Joe Marx, Nadine Schoen and Chris Schumm The City Council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. Burning Permits Burning permits are not required when the ground has a continuous unbroken cover of snow, to a depth of three inches or more, surrounding the immediate area of the fire, sufficient to keep the fire from spreading. If you are unsure if a burning permit is required, please contact City Hall at Skating Rinks Did you know the City of St. Michael has multiple skating rinks? There is one large pleasure skating area, 1 full size hockey rink, and a smaller practice hockey rink where anyone can enjoy a pick-up game of hockey. The warming house is staffed with attendants trained in both CPR and First Aid. The rinks are located in the Lower Recreation Area next to the Public Works Building (3150 Lander Avenue NE). Weather permitting, warming house hours are: No School Days School Days Noon - 9:00 pm 4:00-9:00 pm Compost Site Hours During the winter months, the compost/brush site is open Monday - Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm for residents to dispose of holiday trees. The City does not have a residential tree pick up; however, most garbage haulers licensed with the City provide this service for a fee. Contact your garbage hauler for additional information. Street Light Outages City staff asks residents to report all burned out, broken, or blinking street lights. Whether the lights are working or not, the City is paying for them. We appreciate hearing if a street light is not working so it can be repaired as soon as possible. To report a street light outage, please contact Xcel Energy at or Thank you for your assistance Town Center Drive NE, Suite 300 St. Michael, MN Address Service Requested Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Saint Michael, MN Permit No. 2 ****ECRWSS** R To: Current Resident