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From Your Mayor
Happy New Year ~
Winter got a slow start which saved the City some money for snow-plowing, but also gave us some safety concerns over thin ice for recreational activities on Lake Minnetonka. As the ice thickens, it doesn't do so evenly, so everyone needs to be cautious and follow advisories.
Council action on the 2016 City budget cut the proposed levy increase to 0.94 percent, less than half the original estimate made last September. Our administrator and staff have efficiently constrained expenses to facilitate this outcome. The Council will review further streamlining efforts in coming months.
Water treatment plant expansion and upgrading will soon commence. It has been delayed somewhat by State of Minnesota finance and contracting procedures. The good news is that the million-dollar project was included in state bonding approvals that will pay the whole cost.
Sanitary sewer lines were television-inspected recently so we can prioritize problem areas that need repairs and slip-lining to prevent excess groundwater infiltration that could overload the system. We want to prevent backups and limit the liquid volume subject to treatment charges.
Best wishes for your New Year.
Your Mayor ~
Bruce Williamson
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From the City Desk
Planning Commission Vacancy
The City is taking applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The commission assists and advises the City Council in administration of the City zoning ordinance, conducting public hearings on matters as required by provisions of the zoning/subdivision ordinances, and any other matters referred by the council. The commission meets the second Wednesday of every month. Applicants are interviewed by the City Council previous to appointment. Please call City Hall for more information and an application.
Be an election judge~
2016 is an election year
The City of Spring Park conducts a primary election (August) and a general election (November). Want to serve your community? Be an election judge! Election judges ensure that the voting process goes smoothly and honestly. Serving as an election judge is a great way to meet your neighbors and protect one of our most cherished freedoms - the right to vote. Judges are needed for both the state primary in August and the general election in November. This is a paid opportunity and training is provided. For more information, call Wendy or Sharon at 952-471-9051 or send an email to: wlewin@ci.spring-park.mn.us.
Remembering Patricia A. Higus
Long-time City Clerk Patricia Higus passed away on December 8, 2016 Higus served as City Clerk / Administrator for the City of Spring Park until July, 2000 when she retired after ten years of service.
Pictured: Former Mayor Jerry Rockvam presenting Patricia Higus with a gift at her retirement party.
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From the Utility Department
 Snow Plow Safety ~ MnDOT
Operators have much to monitor and control, and their ability to see behind them is limited by side mirrors. Their vision can also be hampered by the snow clouds they create while plowing.
Safe driving means:
- Check road conditions at www.511mn.org or call 511; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions.
- Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip. Read more
Seasonal Weight Restrictions
Weight restrictions help to protect the roads and take effect during the "spring thaw season" which is usually from early March through mid-May, dependent upon the weather. No exemptions or permits are given during this time period, except for emergency vehicles and utility company service vehicles responding to an emergency.
Read more
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From the Inspections Department
When is a building permit required?
You are going to do a project at your home or business and you want to know when a permit is required. Let's see what the administrative section of the building code says. Section 1300.0120 Permits - Subpart 1. states: "An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any gas, mechanical, electrical, plumbing system, or other equipment, the installation of which is regulated by the code; or cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit." Read more
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From the Police Department
 Theft-from-Auto Reports
On Monday November 30, 2015 the Orono Police Department received nine theft-from-auto reports. The incidents occurred during the night of Sunday November 29 into Monday morning. All of these incidents occurred on the Island in the City of Mound, which includes the geographical areas south of Bartlett Blvd near the neighborhoods off of Wilshire Blvd, Tuxedo Rd and Brighton Blvd. A common denominator of these incidents included unlocked vehicles with valuables left inside. No damage was done to any of the vehicles. Please be vigilant in locking your vehicles and homes. Try not to leave items of value in your vehicle. If you have to leave valuables inside a vehicle, try to hide them and don't keep them in plain view.
Read more
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 From the Fire Department
 10 Everyday Fire Hazards
The website BuzzFeed recently posted an article on 10 fire hazards that people may forget.
Here is the list:
1. Watching a movie while there's food cooking in the kitchen.
2. Leaving a candle unattended.
3. Microwaving certain plastics.
4. Overloading a power strip.
5. Not cleaning out your washer and dryer regularly.
6. Overlooking manufacturer's instructions for electrical appliances.
7. Using a fireplace incorrectly.
8. Handling electric appliances with wet hands.
9. Letting grease accumulate around the stove.
10. Using light bulbs that don't match the lamp's recommended wattage.
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From the Historical Society
Toys, Yearbooks, History Talks, and Entertainment
Visitors continue to make the Westonka History Museum a destination in 2015. Of the 500 or so visits, 200 were by Westonka area residents, 250 from greater Minnesota, 49 from other states, and one from the United Kingdom.
The collections continue to grow, with donations monthly of Tonka trucks, Mohian yearbooks, and residents' family treasures. Recent donations include movie-related documents from two of our local celebrities who cherish their home town roots: Kevin Sorbo and Matt Ewald.
Saturday History Monthly Talks
Hosted by Lake Minnetonka Shores in Spring Park from 11:00-NOON, upcoming monthly Saturday History Talks topics:
On January 9: "Indigenous inhabitants of our area," with Dean Sather of the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, history of historic tribes and archaeological remains.
On February 13: "Product Design at Tonka Toys," with Ron Pauly, a focus on his time there from January 1965 to April 1983, encouraging the audience to use their skills to mentally see/visualize the finished product.
"An Afternoon of Cocktails, Coffee, Dessert and a Duo"
A fundraiser will be held at Burl Oaks Golf Club, Sunday, February 21, 1-3 p.m. A vocalist and pianist will perform a broad variety of tunes from the Great American Song Book. Vocalist Baibi Vegners, MWHS Class of 1978, accompanied by Dan Wascoe. Tickets now on sale at the museum (Saturdays 10:00-2:00) and at the Gillespie Center (Mondays-Fridays 8:00-4:00).
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 Notices & Reminders~
New Signage at Spring Park Bay
Hennepin County recently erected a new LCD sign at the Spring Park Bay boat launch. The sign will be used for Hennepin County Sheriff''s Water Patrol alerts, Hennepin County Emergency Preparedness notices and Lake Minnetonka Conservation Department messages.
The City of Spri
ng Park will also post messages as necessary.
New Resident Email Notification Sign-up
The City of Spring Park has a process to deliver email notices to residents. Please go to our website at www.ci.spring-park.mn.us and on the lower center of the home screen click on the green box titled "Sign up for our eNewsletter & eNotice List." Once the form is completed, you will receive an email to confirm that you signed up to receive the City's Seasons of Spring Park quarterly email. Pursuant to State law, the City may not share email addresses with other parties.
Fire and Police Numbers:
Mound Fire Department
2415 Wilshire Blvd
Mound
, MN 55364-1001
Phone: (952) 472-3555
Orono Police Department
2730 Kelley Parkway
Orono
, MN 55356
Phone: (952)249-2700 Main
(952)258-5321 (Non emergency)
911 - Emergency
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City of Spring Park, Minnesota
4349 Warren Ave
Spring Park, MN 55384
www.ci.spring-park.mn.us |
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Council Meetings
:
7:30 p.m.
Jan 19 (Tues); Feb 1, 16 (Tues); Mar 7, 21
Planning Commission
:
7 p.m.
Jan 13; Feb 10; Mar 9
Work Sessions:
7 p.m.
Jan 25; Feb 22; Mar 28
No Sort Recycling:
Fridays
: Jan 15, 29; Feb 12, 26; Mar 11, 25
First Day of Spring:
Mar 20
Office Closed:
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COUNCIL
Mayor: Bruce Williamson
Council Members:
Shirley Bren
Gary Hughes
Pam Horton
Megan Pavot
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Chair: Jeff Hoffman
Pete Kaczanowski
Michael Mason
Sarah Struck
(Vacancy)
Administrator: Dan Tolsma
City Clerk: Wendy Lewin
Utility Superintendent:
DJ Goman
Office Assistant/Utility Clerk: Sharon Farniok |
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