Centerville Street Maintenance: U-Turns Allowed

CENTERVILLE - Centerville leaders are thinking about executing a U-turn on the city’s street maintenance program. One option being considered would dispense with seal coating altogether and introduce a “thin overlay” approach to extending the useful life of pavements included within the city’s 16-mile street network.
The Centerville City Council met at a special work session May 25 to discuss financial issues as they affect the preparation of the city’s 2012 budget.
Among the discussion items was a proposal by Public Works Director Paul Palzer to abandon the 25-year street replacement program contained in the city’s Pavement Management Program.
“With the current budget constraints, it is not feasible to continue this program,” Palzer’s memorandum to council stated.
Currently, the city is spending about $600,000 each year in annual debt service to fund its outstanding bond obligations, Finance Director Mike Jeziorski said. Those debt obligations include the 2004 and 2009 Street and Utility Reconstruction Projects, as well as the city’s share of the Centennial Police Department building in Circle Pines.
Fully funding the city’s Pavement Management Program alone would require an estimated annualized cost of $1.7 million, Jeziorski
A thin overlay would be applied less often—say, on a 15-year interval, or more infrequently, Palzer said.
For the city’s collector streets that carry more traffic, the thin overlay could be applied every 12 to 15 years, he said. For other streets, an interval of 17 to 18 years could be used.
“It’s twice as much as a seal coat but half as often,” said City Engineer Mark Statz at the meeting. “It’s a substitute for a seal coat program.”
“It could mean tough decisions, but tough decisions need to be made,” said Fehrenbacher.
Though cheaper, thin overlays have to be paid for, too. Short of raising the tax levy to cover the expense— Jeziorski said the tax levy would have to be increased by 10 to 12 percent to cover all costs of the thin overlay program—council members have the option of charging benefiting property owners.
“I guess I just can’t see raising the levy amount,” said Mayor Tom Wilharber.
“If my street were being improved, I would expect to pay for it,” Councilmember Ben Fehrenbacher said.

Full Story Here
Deb Barnes
The Citizen

City Loses Assessment Suit in Court and Appeals

Link Court Docs Here

This is what complaint based ordinance enforcement gets us...

During the hearing, Essex told the judge that a watershed district permit is required to remove the walls. “I’m caught in the middle (if) they don’t give me the permits I need,” she said.
In that case, Essex “can certainly move the court to vacate the 10 days,” the judge told the defendant’s attorney, Jon Erickson.
Glaser told the judge that the watershed district had no objection to issuing a permit.
A call to RCWD Administrator Phil Belfiori the following week, however, called Glaser’s comment into question. “If we haven’t received an application, it would be premature to make that statement,” he told The Citizen. “I’m not sure where (Glaser) got that.
“Our Board has not acted in that regard. We can’t, as staff, make that kind of comment.”
Belfiori said that once Essex submits her application to remove the walls, the district engineer would consider the land disturbance and erosion that could occur as a result of the work.
“The rules specifically talk about disturbance or construction within 300 feet of a watercourse,” Belfiori said. “The main issue would be the stabilization of the disturbance area.”
Essex said she had complied with Palzer’s request last summer that she consult with qualified professionals to obtain an evaluation of the walls: a landscape designer from Goetz Landscape recommended against their removal, as did Rice Creek Watershed District’s (RCWD) water resource specialist.
“There is no one in the city who is a professional in this area,” Essex told the judge. “And I have to get a permit (from RCWD) to take the wall down.”
“Is that correct?” the judge asked Glaser.
“The watershed district has no objection to issuing a permit,” he replied.
And although newly elected Mayor Tom Wilharber and Councilmember Steve King have expressed an interest in taking another look at the matter, they are in the minority.
A call to the city attorney was not returned by press time.Full story here
Deb Barnes
The Citizen

This story just refuses to die!  Our Public Works director has stated this is a political matter and he is just following orders from his boss.  The fact remains, as long as Centerville enforces the ordinances on a complaint basis, you better be sure to get along with your neighbors. 

Contentious Curb Stop Repair

This story not posted online with The Citizen so we created a separate page for it. 
First, the Centerville City Council told the homeowner tough luck.  Then it offered to pay half.  Eventually, Council knuckled under and agreed to pay for the entire repair of a broken curb stop and associated expenses at its April 13 meeting.
As council members mulled changing the code or adding a small fee to utility bills to help homeowners pay for curb stop repairs, it came to light that the city had already paid a broken curb stop repair bill for another homeowner this winter.
"It's the same situation.  We've got to pay this one," Council member D. Love said.  "we had rules in place and we didn't follow the rules."
The city voted to pay up to $10,000 in costs associated with the curb stop failure and driveway repair.
Story by Loretta Harding
The Citizen
4/28/2001 Link Entire Story Here

Centerville Home Likely ‘Total Loss’

Halogen lamp likely cause.

The Citizen/Deb Barnes

Deb Barnes
The Citizen

CENTERVILLE - An unoccupied home in Centerville caught fire Thursday morning and will likely be a total loss, according to the Centennial Fire Department.
Because of a lack of fire hydrants in the area, Centennial, Lexington, Hugo and Forest Lake fire departments were all called to assist, Streich said. White Bear Fire provided backup to the Hugo Fire Department while its firefighters were in Centerville.
Full Story Here

4/13 Council Session Sound Issues

Update for our conspiracy theorists!
We have received word from a City official that the lack of audio was an issue with North Metro Cable, not the City of Centerville.  The reruns will include sound.  The issue was a simple fix according to staff with the cable channel.
View Council Sessions Here

Survey Request by Councilmember Fehrenbacher

We realize this is short notice!  The Council is having a work session to discuss the 2012 budget after the Wednesday meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.
LINK HERE FOR CENTERVILLE SURVEY

Another Citizen Email Posting Request

When does the city plan on sweeping the streets? I'm watching kids on the streets trying not to fall on their bikes and roller blades because they are skidding all over the place.  Unless that's the plan, wait until a child loses traction and slides into a car and then our tax dollars can be spent on another lawsuit.   Also, with the rain lately the runoff of winter salt will not be good for the ponds-which cost us residents approximately $400,000.00 to dredge the ponds two years ago!!  What's the hold up?

Update on street sweeping....
Hugo will be performing this for us this year. They will use their vacuum (as opposed to Lino's sweeper). Since we did not use sand on the roads last winter (we only used salt), a vacuum should do a better job.
It should be done in the near future (next week or so).
Ben Fehrenbacher 
Thanks Ben!

RE: Spending, Lets Get Serious

I'm not going to go on and on about the outrageous spending habits of the City of Centerville.  Anybody can go on line and dig up facts and figures that would turn your face blue.   I would like to address the attitude of those who respond about all the things that have happened with a previous Mayor and a previous Council.     I do know Tom Wilharber, personally.   I did vote for Tom  and do not regret it for a moment. 
Is the view pretty good from the cheap seats?
Donna King went on and on about "their current financial situation" and Steve having to quit a third job.    She states "It can be dangerous to a community when only people with self interest or comfortable financial means are in charge of your future".   I'm sorry Donna, aren't you in charge of your own financial future?  Maybe that's part of the problem as well.  If our Mayor is in a comfortable position, he may have planned better than the rest of us.  He has served his country, his family and his community the whole time.   Like most people do when they retire; they travel, they spend time with friends and family.  Tom Whilharber chose to support and lead his community.   He has spent his days meeting every business owner in town since taking the office.  He visits residents on a regular basis.   Tom is not about the popular vote, Tom won't support something if it's not right for Centerville.   It may be right for you, for today, but that's how we got into these dire financial situations.
Where were all of you when the reckless spending was going on?  At council meetings voicing your opinion?  Possibly writing or  talking to your City Government, with the concerns for your future?    Now, because it's affecting you personally, you want to be an armchair quarterback.
The $5,500 Fete de Lacs money is not just for a day long party.  It is a chance for residents such as yourself, to get out of your house and possibly meet your community.   Children love the parade, it's a small price to pay for them.   I don't see many people signing up to help with that?  Possibly helping to make the community better would do everyone some good.
I am married to a Centerville Lion and we work very hard with things like Fete de Lacs to raise money.   In case you are unaware, this money goes back to the community of Centerville.   We give countless gift baskets at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  These baskets go to the families who seem to be struggling and need a little help.  We collect food for the food shelves, and do every bit of the labor.   The one and only Easter Egg Hunt that is free to everyone, every year, is 100% sponsored by the Lions for residents. Lion's  events such as Fete, Ice Fishing Contests and Haunted Houses, bring people from all over the state to our little town.  Which in turn brings business.   Tom Wilharber is also a Centerville Lion!
Maybe it's time everyone stood up, talked to the Council about fixing the problems, not just repeating them.  Let your Mayor know in a civilized manner what your visions are.   Ask how you can help; get involved to make the future better than what we have had to deal with in the past.  
Nancy Johnson
Centerville

Kelly's Korner to Reopen April 15th

Lino Lakes siblings doing serious renovation of 100-year-old building
by Nicholas Backus Quad Press
Oldie but goodie downtown standby Kelly's Korner is coming back.
Siblings Jeff Schultz and Victoria Byrne teamed up to resurrect the more than 100-year-old bar, an establishment that is purported to have acquired Anoka County's first liquor license.
It was licensing issues that shut down the bar Jan. 1 after the city reported former owners were behind on tax payments. With that issue settled, Kelly's new owners are slating an April 15 reopening, just in time for spring volleyball leagues.
Link Full Story Here

Congratulations to the new owners!  Wishing you many years of success in your new venture!  

Controversial Colored Concrete Chronicles

There is an article regarding the colored concrete on the front page of The Citizen today.

Failed Concrete: City at Crossroads for Solution 
By Loretta B. Harding,
Contributing Writer
The Centerville City Council is trying to solve the mystery of damaged colored concrete pavement panels at the intersection of Main Street (CSAH 14) and Centerville Road. Earlier this month, members of the Public Works Department noticed damaged joints on the colored concrete installed downtown in the summer of 2008 as part of Anoka County’s Main Street Reconstruction Project.
Link Full Story Here. 

Previous news account on the history of the additional $517,000  past council approved for street-scaping.  Colored concrete, decorative lights...
Link Here

Additional Engineering fees in excess of $72,000 associated with "overseeing" County workers  complete construction on COUNTY ROAD 14.
Link Here

Further inspection and fee discussions.
Link Here  

Controversial resolution.
Link Here

Please note that previous council voted to add the colored concrete on County 14.  They debated the five different colors during the 7/23/2008 session.  Jeff Paar is quoted in the approved minutes stating "The color draws attention to the crosswalk".  Statz, Bonestroo engineer stated "The color coming into the downtown area makes traffic calmer and drivers aware they are coming into a downtown area."  A fair amount of time (15-20 minutes) was spent viewing concrete samples and debating the various shades of color to be chosen.

Another Resident Heard in the Mailbag

 Input and Output
“If your input doesn’t exceed your output, the upkeep will be your downfall.”  Be careful not to construe this phrase as meaning, “Tax more to continue lavish spending.” Centerville consistently ranks in the top taxed cities in Minnesota since 2004.  Dean Luxenburg’s letter to the editor in The Citizen’s March 3 issue has it right. Costs must be trimmed.
Is the city’s “output” of colored concrete, 43 street lamps within two blocks, six city parks in a two-mile-wide city (additional parks forecasted), added bike trails, development of a “downtown,” and 10 employees justification enough for consistent tax increases?
These things—most of them implemented since 2004—are nice, but are they needed?
Government’s role is to uphold, protect and secure individual sovereignty and the right of private property, not to serve the collective good over the individual by giving us nice things. Consider this: Centerville’s debt in 2004 was over $5 million and, by the end of 2010, an arduous $11 million. This is a reckless extension of debt in only six years. Cuts in spending must occur. If not, the “upkeep” will be Centerville’s downfall.
LyNae Marshall
Centerville
Link Here

SPENDING. LET’S GET SERIOUS.

Posted per email request.
As we watch and read about the price of gas and food on the rise, the media not giving you the true numbers of unemployment which is really at 22%, cities and states fighting to keep their heads above water, the Federal Reserve advising our government to raise the debt ceiling. How much more can the taxpayer absorb? However, all I hear from our Mayor is he wants to reduce the pay of the Council for laptops. Where is the rest of his proposed reduced spending list?
It was obvious in the recent election that spending was at the top of most people’s list. While many of us have had to already tighten our belts the city continues to act as if we will not be affected by this economy. When are we going to plan for the bumps in the road? When are we going to trim some fat?
One of the issues the Mayor campaigned on and proceeded to recommend, at the January meeting, to cut the Council’s pay by 25%. We heard the Council’s arguments and then the Mayor claimed he wanted to use it for laptops. Laptops! The motion was not seconded. I voted for him because I thought he was serious about reduced spending. In February he brought it up again because Councilmember King said at the January meeting, which the Mayor did not hear, he would agree to a 10% reduction in 2011 and another 10% in 2012 if it paid down City debt and not for additional spending. According to Dallas Larson this amount would not pay down any significant debt. It was then suggested to do a cost comparison of laptops vs. paper copies. If the numbers come back that laptops are more cost effective, would this not become an annual operating cost? Why wasn’t this looked at as a cost-cutting factor in the first place? However, don’t we still have to retain a copier for other document copying?
The Mayor thinks our Council is getting paid too much according to other cities. I feel many councils are getting paid too much because they don’t represent the people anymore. He also commented that years ago some members of committees and council members did not get paid and if they did, it was very little. He claimed they wanted to serve the community. Well, we have heard that line before. I seem to remember that we called those the “good old boys”. Weren’t some of these owners of rather large parcels of land and were rewarded in the end because of the input on how this City was developed to their advantage? Isn’t this part of the reason our taxes are so high because they concentrated too much on houses rather than attracting more businesses to relieve us of this tax burden we have had for years? It can be dangerous to a community when only people with self-interests or comfortable financial means are in charge of your future. Their visions can be totally different than that of the hard-working citizens that they are supposed to represent. Isn’t this the same thing that has been going on in this city in the last few years? People in office with no financial worries. Only their visions. History repeats itself.
I knew Steve would have to quit a 3^rd job if he was elected and possibly even have to take that 25% reduction. Our budget is tight now, but we were willing to take that hit because we felt the need for him to run so finally the people had a voice at City Hall. However, I resent the fact that the Mayor wants to reduce his pay and then turn around and vote for $5,500 for Fete de Lacs. Are you serious? If there is to be a reduction in pay, I want my tax dollars to go back to the community in the form of education such as a constitutional seminar or community gardens (we certainly have enough parks for gardens) not laptops. We may be looking at rough times ahead and I want my tax dollars to be used that will give a lasting affect on the citizens of this city not some one-day party. If food prices keep going up, there may be some elderly or families in this community that are going to need the extra help. Mayor you took an oath to the Constitution and you are supposed to spend the taxpayer money wisely. If you want a laptop, then buy it yourself. Better yet donate your pay for Fete de Lacs since you think you are being overpaid. 
By Donna King

Trim City Costs with Innovation

Letter to the Editor March 3, 2011

The Citizen
I have listed the 2011 base salaries of the 10 Centerville city employees, provided at my request.
Employee 1: $96,564
Employee 2: $67,163
Employee 3: $83,952
Employee 4: $63,461
Employee 5: $51,085
Employee 6: $47,299
Employee 7: $55,162
Employee 8: $55,162
Employee 9: $55,162
Employee 10: $50,752
The salaries total about $626,000. When you add in 35 percent for pension benefits, health care, payroll taxes, workers compensation and liability insurance; the total cost to the taxpayers is approximately $845,000. When overtime earnings, part-time employee pay, and mayor and council members’ salaries are taken into account, the total approaches $1 million, about half the city’s yearly budget.
The city’s Personnel Policies handbook indicates that employees enjoy 11 paid holidays plus one l oating holiday. Work on holidays is paid at 2.5 times the hourly rate of pay. Paid personal time of accrues based on years of service: after 10 years, for example, employees accrue 9.85 hours paid time off per 2-week pay period.
City employees belong to a PERA “defined benefit plan,” which is in addition to Social Security retirement benefits. No matter what the economy does, they can count on a guaranteed retirement benefit based on salary and years of service. Most private sector employees are not so fortunate; as their pensions (if they have one) are subject to gains/losses that more closely mirror the economy. Private pension plans are not guaranteed.
I believe our Mayor and Council could reduce some of these costs. It seems excessive to have five full-time employees at City Hall. It doesn’t take very long to do payroll every other week; they certainly aren’t busy issuing building permits.
With all the advances in information technology, the administrative work could be done more efficiently than it is at present. If there is not enough work to keep everyone busy full time, perhaps hours should be cut.
Also, Public Works could contract out some of their work and reduce the work force. The City of Oak Park Heights, for instance, contracts out all their snow removal. It saves them money.
With some innovation I think personnel costs could be trimmed by 10 percent or more. It should be up to our Mayor and Council to explore some of these ideas— and possibly others. We are simply paying too much for city services.
Dean Luxenburg
Centerville

Editor’s note: A call to Centerville City Hall clarifies that exempt employees—such as the City Administrator and Public Works Director—do not receive extra pay for working weekends or holidays. The rate of pay for working on a holiday (2.5) includes holiday pay in addition to time-and-a-half. Also, according to the City Administrator, the State of Minnesota mandates that city employees pay into both PERA and Social Security

How Many Lawsuits Must We Endure Before The Insanity Stops?

Capra leaves office with no regrets.   
Link Here
Recent Letters to The Editor of The Citizen. 
Link Here

Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work

Photo by Deb Barnes The Citizen November 2010

 Judge Orders Retaining Walls Removed in Centerville Criminal Case


CENTERVILLE - It took 76-year-old Norma Essex 14 years to build the block landscaping walls in her back yard on Old Mill Roadone block at a time. But unless those walls are completely removed by June 8, an Anoka County judge will order her to jail for 10 days.

Essex’s parole violation hearing on Jan. 26 was the latest in a series of hearings related to criminal charges filed by the City of Centerville Oct. 2, 2008. “I have a hard time putting my hands around this mess,” District Court Judge Jenny Walker Jasper said.

The city’s actions stemmed from complaints received from one of Essex’s neighbors along Clearwater Creek, City Administrator Dallas Larson told The Citizen in an interview last year. City Attorney Kurt Glaser said two of the walls, which are each under 4 feet in height, were constructed too close together to be considered separate structures, and when their heights are added together, the cumulative height invokes the requirement for a permit. Although Essex has made application, the city has thus far declined to issue the permit

The Experts Weigh In
Essex has said she never placed fill within the floodplain, a statement corroborated by a letter dated July 9, 2010 from Rice Creek Watershed District’s Water Resource Specialist Kyle Axtell. “Our review of the project site (as of Oct. 22, 2008) confirmed that no fill has been placed below the 100-year flood elevation,” Axtell said. “My suggestion would be to leave the retaining walls as they currently exist unless a substantial failure is expected … Disturbance of the embankment to rebuild the wall would undoubtedly cause much more harm to the resource than leaving it alone,” Axtell stated.

In response to Palzer’s (Public Works Director) request that she work with a certified design professional, Essex also obtained an opinion from landscape designer Alan Strohbehn of Goetz Landscape, Inc. “…I strongly believe (the walls) should be left alone,” Strohbehn said. They are in incredibly good shape for being built (14) years ago.” “There is no access for equipment,” Strohbehn added. “The steepness of the bank itself and existing tree roots will make it nearly impossible for crews to get a foothold to dig trenches and handle heavy blocks.”

Complaint-Driven Enforcement
The complaints against Essex were reportedly initiated at Centerville City Hall by her next-door neighbors, Timothy and Lori Glasow. Essex has had an ongoing feud with her neighbors. Last August, she obtained a Restraining Order following a series of incidents that a judge deemed to be harassment. Lori Glasow declined to comment when contacted for this story.

Like many other cities, the City of Centerville—lacking the funds to hire a full-time code enforcement officer—pursues code violations on a complaint basis. Essex and her attorney believe the city’s action was discriminatory. Erickson wrote in one court document, “The filing of the charges against Norma Essex is an exercise in discriminatory prosecution/selective prosecution in that over 30 different residences have been identified as having easement violations (of a similar nature to the bricks), none of which have been prosecuted.” As it stands now, Judge Walker Jasper ordered Essex to remove the walls by June 8 in what she called a “phased” plan. If the walls are not removed, Essex will spend 10 days in jail.
To read the entire story which has far greater detail, please follow this link
By Deb Barnes, Citizen Editor 

Update 3/5/2011

I would like to thank everyone for their support and those who volunteered to spend a night in jail for me. I doubt the court would let you, but many thanks.

The City seems to want to punish me as hard as they can.

The bottom line is, I never needed a permit from the City for the retaining wall because it is under 4 feet. The city is using a 2006 code to justify their venture. The wall was built 10 years before the 2006 code was adopted.

You draw your own conclusion.

Norma

Update Request

We have received several requests to update the blog. Thank you to those out there that are still interested in what's happening around Centerville. Here we go!