|
|
From Your Mayor
Welcome Fall~
Water
quality in Spring Park is excellent, despite recent news items concerning test issues with a state laboratory. The wells that previously showed trace contaminants were shut down nearly a year and a half ago. Since that time all city water has been derived from a well in a deeper, safe aquifer. Our water supply is also substantial, with a 200,000 gallon tower, a 100,000 gallon clear well reservoir, and interconnects with Orono and Mound. In fact, during a power outage this summer, we supplied the Navarre area of Orono and Minnetonka Beach with water until their own operations resumed. We have a robust backup power generation capacity to avoid such a shutdown.
Budget
plans for 2016 are under way. The biggest expenses are for public safety, and the largest revenue source is property taxes. As always, there are upward pressures in nearly every area. Police costs are rising $24,216 due mostly to an increased number of calls. A preliminary tax levy increase of $19,972 is contemplated, combined with savings in other areas, to accommodate the expense. The result would be a 2 percent increase in the property tax levy for a proposed general fund budget of $1,018,592. Cuts to the budget will be pursued wherever possible to whittle down the final levy amount for a final decision in December.
Your Mayor~
Bruce Williamson
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
From the City Desk 
Drivers & Dakota Trail Users~
Rules of the Road
Bicycles are legal vehicles on Minnesota roads and bicyclists have the same rights as motorists. This means they share equally the responsibilities of bicycle safety and reducing bicycle/ motor vehicle crashes. The top factor contributing to these crashes is failure of both bicyclists and motorists to yield the right-of-way.
Read more trail-crossing tips
 Mound Westonka 2015 Homecoming
Congratulations to Mound Westonka High School's 2015 Homecoming Court especially Spring Park residents
King Tim Kaczanowski, son of Pete and Cindy Kaczanowski and Jack Reinhardt, son of Mark and Sarah Reinhardt. Go White Hawks! Read more
 Thank you to Minnetonka Drive-In
The Dakota Trail is considered to be an asset to our City. We would like to thank another asset to our community, the Minnetonka Drive-In for providing trail users access to cold water, drinking cups, and restroom facilities. Their willingness to offer a refreshing drink, at no cost, along with clean restrooms is very appreciated.
Storm Shelters within Multi-Housing Unit Facilities
If you live in an apartment building or a condominium, do you know where to go in case of severe weather?
Read more
|
|
From the Police Department
It's back to school for our students. Students are often times waiting at bus stops in the darkness. Drivers, please be extra watchful of children who may be waiting roadside.
-
No traffic may pass a school bus in either direction when the stop arm is extended and red lights are flashing.
- Flashing amber lights are a warning that the bus is preparing to stop.
- Be alert to children crossing the street in front of the bus to board and leave.
- Stop at least 20 feet from the bus.
Vacation Checks If you are going out-of-town for a week, or even the entire winter, the Police Department offers a service to check your house while you are away. Prior to departure, you should cancel your mail service or arrange for a trusted neighbor or friend to handle this for you; make arrangements for snow plowing or lawn mowing (depending on the time of year), and determine who will have access to your home. Reserve officers will periodically come to your home and make sure all windows and doors are secure. If packages are left at your doorstep, or your mail is overflowing, we will call a person you have designated as your "key holder". Read more |
|
 From the Fire Department
A Simple Lifesaving Message~
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
When you turn your clocks back on November 1, make a lifesaving change in your household by changing the batteries in your smoke alarms (and carbon monoxide detectors). This simple habit takes just a moment, but is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire.
By providing an early warning system and critical extra seconds to escape, smoke alarms double a family's chance of getting out of a home fire alive, but only if they work. That is why the Mound Fire Department is joining Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs to remind citizens to change the batteries in their smoke alarms every year.
Gregory S. Pederson
Mound Fire Chief
|
|
From the Utility Department
Hydrant Flushing~
Beginning in mid-October, Spring Park Public Works will perform a flushing and maintenance check on all City fire hydrants.
This process involves opening and exercising each of the hydrants, which expels any sediment that may have accumulated in the pipes. The flushing process is conducted annually to maintain the water quality within the distribution system and ensure that each fire hydrant is in proper working order.
Residents are asked to use caution when driving in and around the sites being tested, and
contact City Hall
with any questions or concerns.
Snow Events
It's that time of year again. Please make a note of the following: Move your car off the street or from public parking during or immediately after a snowfall of one or more inches. You may return your vehicle to the street or parking lot after they have been completely plowed. If you are in doubt about how much snow has fallen, we encourage you to move your vehicle regardless to assist our plowing efforts.
Brush Site Drop-off
Spring
Park
permits city residents (non-commercial) to dispose of yard waste up until Thanksgiving weekend. Yard waste can include grass/lawn clippings, weeds, garden waste, milfoil, leaves, and tree branches. Any branches over 10 inches in diameter must be cut into lengths of less than 8 feet. The site is located in St Bonifacius at 4250 Creekview Circle, just off Hwy # 7.
Any questions? Call 952-446-1056. Remember to bring ID showing you are a Spring Park resident.
|
|
 From the Building Inspections Department
 TIP~
If you don't know where your water shutoff valve is, find it now before you NEED to find it. Water pipes can break due to corrosion, freezing, or accidents. While water is gushing into your house, you don't want to waste any time looking for the shut-off valve. Once you have located the valve, turn it on and off to make sure it is working properly. It is a good idea to do this periodically so it stays in good working order. If you have a well, locate the switch to shut it off. It might be a good idea to mark the shut-off valve or switch so your family members can locate it if you are not around. |
|
 From the Mound Historical Society
 October 1 2015~
The Westonka Historical Society (WHS) is proud to have brought our very own international film star, Kevin Sorbo, for you to meet at the Gillespie Center on August 3. Hope you enjoyed once again, remembering the House of Moy, dinner provided by Mrs. Moy and Gillespie Center helpers on September 24.
This year, our monthly history talks will be hosted by Lake Minnetonka Shores (Presbyterian Homes). Mark your calendar for the second Saturday, 11:00 AM to noon, to learn about your local community history. Topics include:
- "Raising of the Minnehaha" (October 10)
- "Early Native Americans in Hennepin County" (January 9)
- "Remembering work at Tonka Toys" (February 13)
- "Mathias Cook, early homesteader, who gave his name to Cook's Bay" (March 12)
- "Boathouses of Lake Minnetonka" (May 14)
- Plus: "Who gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?" (April 9). Yes, we each need to decide how to distribute the precious items we've gathered over a lifetime. How to decide? From the silver and china, to the items from dear relatives, having a plan will ease the task.
Stop by the WHS museum to find gifts in our museum shop, open every Saturday, 10-2. For upcoming community events go to WHS website www.westonkahistoricalsociety.org, or like us on our Westonka Historical Society Facebook page.
|
|
 Reminders~
 Make Recycling Easy~
Put a recycling bin, bag, or box next to every garbage can in your house.
Get creative if you have limited space:
- Hang a bag on the doorknob of your bathroom, laundry room or office for recyclables. Empty the bag into your recycling cart once it's full. If it's a paper bag, you can recycle the bag as well.
- Hang a recycling bin inside your bathroom or laundry room cabinet to save space and make it convenient.
- Set up a divided wastebasket with trash on one side and recycling on the other.
- Hang waste containers from the door or mount them on the wall
Recycle in every room
|
|
|
City of Spring Park, Minnesota
4349 Warren Ave
Spring Park, MN 55384
www.ci.spring-park.mn.us |
|
| |
|
Council Meetings
:
7:30 p.m.
Oct 5, 19; Nov 2, 16 ; Dec 7, 21
Planning Commission
:
7 p.m.
Oct 14; Nov 11 (TBD); Dec 9
Work Sessions:
7 p.m.
Oct 26; Nov 23; Dec 28
No Sort Recycling:
Fridays
Oct 9, 23; Nov 6, 20; Dec 4, 18
Fall Cleanup Day:
Nov 7
Truth in Taxation:
Dec 7, 7:30 p.m.
First Day of Winter:
Dec 22
Office Closed:
Nov 11, 26 & 27; Dec 24 & 25; Jan 1, 2016
End Daylight Savings Time:
Nov 1
|
|
COUNCIL
Mayor: Bruce Williamson
Council Members:
Shirley Bren
Pamela Horton
Gary Hughes
Megan Pavot
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Chair: Jeff HoffmanPete Kaczanowski Michael Mason Sarah Struck Gavin Tempero Administrator: Dan Tolsma
City Clerk: Wendy Lewin
Public Works Superintendent/Emergency Manager:
DJ Goman
Office Assistant/Utility Clerk: Sharon Farniok |
| 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
|
|
|
