One Resident Reacts to Recent Council Actions

In watching the recent City Council meeting a couple of disturbing ordinances were approved. First, it is unlawful to discharge a gun in your house unless it is self-defense. What is this? We already have an ordinance that says we cannot discharge a gun within the city limits. Law abiding gun owners are not going to be discharging their guns in their homes unless it is self defense. Why should law abiding citizens be grouped in with a few criminals. No I say. It is an outright attack on the second amendment. Why have an added ordinance about discharging a gun in your house? Why??? Are they trying to pick away at our second amendment rights? Our own City? How ridiculous? Is this to protect them if they feel they need to enter your home and you refuse? What is their definition of self-defense?
Second, the other ordinance that they approved is that they can shut down your private well if there is a natural disaster. They claim they want to do this is so our wells don't contaminate their city well. What is their definition of a natural disaster? Is this a way to pressure people into thinking that their well could be shut down and that they would not have water at a time of a natural disaster and might go ahead now and agree to be hooked up to city water? Is this a scare tactic to get us to accept city water when our wells are fine? What if the city well is contaminated during a natural disaster and not the private wells. How can they claim that we could have contaminated their well. Do they test our water or just shut us down? This is unbelievable.
These two ordinances were passed at the same time. Do they go together? In other words, if they force their way into your home claiming they need to shut down your well because of a natural disaster and you disagree, then you cannot protect your home from this. Would they even test your well or just say we don't have time or even if it is not contaminated now, it could become contaminated, and, therefore, contaminate the city water? They would not consider this self-defense.
As far as we are concerned this is way out of line. We do not need these ordinances. First of all it is none of their business to tell us what to do in our own house when it comes to the second amendment and second they do not need to have an ordinance on the books ready to go regarding shutting down our wells at their whim and their definition of natural disaster.
Do the Centerville residents group still meet? This needs to be addressed immediately and try and overturn these ordinances. I think we could be looking at a real problem in the future if we do not hold their feet to fire on this.
In other Council action...
Amended Chapter 50 of the city Code to require connection to public water and sewer systems if private systems “fall into disrepair,” defined as when the cost of repair exceeds $500.
The Citizen

Who Has the Best Interest of Centerville at Heart?

Council Spurns Engineer's Compensation Request

Louise Edwards The Citizen

At the last Centerville City Council meeting of the year, council members spent considerable time in discussion over a request for $35,000 in additional compensation for construction observation services performed this summer by the city’s consulting engineers, Bonestroo, on Anoka County’s Main Street reconstruction project. Council held a similar discussion at its Sept. 24 meeting and tabled the matter.

City Engineer Mark Statz stated in a letter dated Sept. 16, 2008 that although the total budget for inspection services agreed upon at the beginning of the CSAH 14 project was $55,428, he said that the company provided additional services throughout the summer after city inspectors, who had planned to supplement Bonestroo’s efforts, were unable to assist because of higher-than-expected construction activity related to the hailstorm of May 25. “Our proposal was clear in saying that it was based on a [specific] number of hours per week,” said Statz. “Since our proposal was based on our expectation, and since we were directed to be out there more, I think [our request is] in line.”

“We would have expected them to step up and pick up any slack … because we wouldn’t have wanted the project to go on unsupervised,” agreed Council Member Linda Broussard Vickers. “We overestimated what our staff could do.” “Well, I’m concerned about the communication,” said Council Member Jeff Paar, referring to the delay before council was officially presented with the request in September. A motion to compensate Bonestroo for $21,000—the extra work for this past summer—of the $35,000 requested failed, 3-2. Mayor Capra and Council Member Broussard Vickers both supported the motion.

In reviewing the Council meeting, it is clear that Mr. Statz (City Engineer) working with Bonestroo was requesting additional payment of 12 oversight hours per week times 20 weeks. It was determined by the City that is was necessary to oversee the County on the CSAH 14 project. B-Vickers got out the calculator and determined that 12 hours per week at 20 weeks came to the grand total of $21,600 and not the $35,000 requested. Mr. Statz stated that he would have to look back at the records to see if Bonestroo had worked more than 20 weeks. Mr. Statz was afforded the opportunity to bring in documentation to back the additional work hours, which he declined, stating he wanted to resolve the issue that evening. This motion was not approved and scheduled to be discussed during the 1-7-09 work session which is not taped. For further information, please feel free to contact your City officials.

2009 Street Improvement/Special Assessment Hearing Postponed Again.

The City of Centerville has not updated the website, nor utilized the City Hall sign to make the announcement that the special assessment hearing scheduled for two days from now has been postponed yet again. City officials have opted to inform residents via US mail and will be sending out notices which may not be received in time.
Per Teresa Bender, the special assessment meeting has been rescheduled to January 21st.

Happy New Year! We're Back!!!!

Fee Schedule Changes to Affect Residents

The council also adopted Ordinance No. 22, the city’s 2009 Fee Schedule.

Changes include a 5% increase in water and sewer rates and storm water drainage fees as well as changes to the way drainage fees are calculated for commercial and industrial property.

Taxpayers will also notice the addition of a $21 quarterly water base charge which represents the benefit of accessibility to hydrants for all city residents and business owners whether they have municipal water service or not.

Centerville has been upgraded to a Fire Class 5, effectively lowering fire insurance rates because of hydrant availability, Administrator Larson said.

This charge will appear on municipal April 1 quarterly drainage and/or sewer & water statements.

It's not a tax increase, it's a new water charge... Something we look forward to this New Year!

Link Here

The Citizen 12/24/2008

Update From City Administrator in Response to a Copy and Paste of The Citizen News Article Linked Above

Monday, January 5, 2009 9:21 AM

From: dlarson@centervillemn.com

To: Centervilleblog@yahoo.com

Your blog states that the city water charge of $84 will apply to all residents. The charge at $80 is already on the bill of the majority of residents (all who are connected to city water) and for them only the 5% increase will apply. This fee will be new to those that are not connected to city water, but receive benefits due to the fire insurance rating.

Dallas Larson, Administrator
City of Centerville
651-429-3232

UPDATE
The ISO Fire Protection Rating System
The link above will open a PDF file created by the Minnesota League of Cities.
There appears to be no difference in estimated premiums ranked classifications four through seven, based on a $150,000 residential property. (page 3 of 4)
Class 1-3 average annual premium $653
Class 4-7 average annual premium $662
Class 8-9 average annual premium $667
Class 10 average annual premium $670
Estimated premiums based on insurance companies which recognize the ISO protection rating.

Check you individual policy for any reduction the new lower class five rating may have on your premium.

Centerville Adopt a Family

Thank you to all those in our community that have supported this effort! Especially the local area businesses! We realize how difficult this economy has been for many of you, coupled with the high tax ranking, we appreciate each and every single donation.

Centerville Ranks 14th Highest in City Tax Rate...

BUT STILL RANKS 3rd OVERALL!

Centerville's rank of 14th-highest in city tax rates was good news: The city has been the highest-taxed city in the past. "It's a huge improvement for us," Mayor Mary Capra said. She said the average property owner has seen an increase in city taxes of only $63 in the past seven years. The city is getting creative. Today, the city is sponsoring what Capra calls "our own little economic stimulus package." The event, called Dash for Cash, includes a drawing for $500 in "Cougar Cash" that can be spent only in Centerville businesses. The idea is to promote city businesses and the city overall. "We have a bare-bones staff," Capra said. "This city council is conservative."

HIGHEST OVERALL TAX RATES

1. Carver

2. Victoria

3. Centerville

4. Savage

5. Circle Pines

6. Lexington

9. Dayton

7. Golden Valley

8. Farmington

10. Minneapolis

Pioneer Press-12/9/2008

FULL STORY HERE

Of course, the Mayor neglected to address the special assessments we have in store. Oh, that's right special assessments don't count against the tax rate.

Downtown Lighting Ceremony Update

CENTERVILLE — The City of Centerville will hold a lighting ceremony Dec. 9 to celebrate completion of work and installation of new light fixtures on Main Street.

At the Nov. 24 City Council meeting, Mayor Mary Capra announced that the dedication would take place at 6 p.m. and include a ribbon cutting ceremony. County representatives and other dignitaries will be invited to participate.
According to Capra, Main Street will close briefly while the ceremonial ribbon is strung across and cut. For the first time in months, streetlights will brighten the south side of Main Street. After the ceremony, people will be invited to shop Main Street from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and enjoy promotional give-aways. “A lot of the businesses will stay open; it's a very exciting time for the community,” Capra said.
Before the event, the city plans to distribute informational fliers advertising drawings, rules and promotions to win $400 in “Cougar Cash” and other prizes.

The lighting ceremony celebrates an end to months of darkness and road obstruction in the downtown area.
“We've been patiently waiting for the lights,” Capra said.

Contractors have been busy trying to finish work on at least one side of the ongoing CSAH 14 project before the ground freezes. Work on the north side of Main Street will continue when the ground thaws in the spring, probably around the middle of May, according to consulting city engineer Mark Statz. (Bonestroo, not Centerville employee)

Main Street will continue to look as it does now throughout the winter, Statz said. Therefore, if businesses or citizens have problems with the road or their driveways, now is the time to contact the city, as it would be difficult to make adjustments during the winter. “It looks pretty buttoned up out there; hopefully everything is OK,” he said.

Councilmen Jeff Paar and Tom Lee hinted that more local promotions could be in store for Centerville as local businesses recover from the disruption caused by CSAH 14 road construction.

“We should look at this for 2009 as well,” Paar said. “There's no better way to promote businesses in Centerville than giving the public something they can use in Centerville.”

What?!

Link Here

First Annual Centerville Citizens Adopt a Family!

Centerville Adopt a Family Blog

While Centerville Is Celebrating Numerous New Lights With a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony...

State Turns Off Lights to Save Energy!

If you want to see the Minnesota Capitol lit up at night, go there before 11 p.m. That's when they turn off the lights.

State officials used to illuminate Minnesota's most famous building all night. Commissioner of Administration Dana Badgerow said Monday her department recently reduced the hours of lighting as part of an effort to cut energy consumption in the Capitol complex by 10 percent.

"The TV crews can still do their shots for the 10 o'clock news," Badgerow said.

From July through October — the first four months of the program ordered by Gov. Tim Pawlenty — energy use at "Capitol campus" buildings has decreased by 3.5 percent, said David Fielding, plant management director for the Department of Administration.

The state spent $9.3 million to heat, light and power the 4.7 million square feet of space in those 16 buildings last year. If administration officials meet their conservation goal, they'll save taxpayers nearly $1 million this year.

Asked if they'll reach that goal, Fielding replied, "It won't be for lack of trying. I think we've got a very good chance."

The program started with the simple step of asking state employees to get rid of their space heaters, fans, microwave ovens and other personal appliances. "We deprived them of a few conveniences — maybe," Badgerow said.

By Bill Salisbury
bsalisbury@pioneerpress.com

Link Here

Ribbon cutting celebration to be held on December 9th at 6 p.m. Anyone get an invitation?

In Other News

Pawlenty says state budget will be in deficit within months!
Spending cuts must start this month, he says.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Tuesday that Minnesota's budget will start hemorrhaging red ink in the next seven months — much sooner than he and other state officials had anticipated — and he's ready to start cutting spending this month to stop the bleeding.

Link Here

Minnesota's Cities Eye Big Cuts for '09

A city-by-city look...

Communities across Minnesota are being forced to cut back and lay off staff as they prepare for the new year.

The League of Minnesota Cities warned Tuesday that many cities are scrambling to cope with the slumping economy, declining revenue and rising costs.

In addition, the state could experience one of its biggest deficits, and that "could really wreak havoc on city budgets for 2009 and beyond," said Gary Carlson, the League's director of intergovernmental affairs.

The state economic forecast is due out Thursday.

"I think cities are a little bit on edge," Carlson said.

City leaders fear the Legislature may reduce state contributions to local governments to meet its own budget. Many communities rely on Local Government Aid to finance basic services. And cutting state Market Value Homestead Credit reimbursements, which make up for homestead tax breaks, can leave a hole in city coffers.

Lino Lakes faces making midyear budget cuts if it loses its reimbursement, which adds up to about $240,000, said city administrator Gordon Heitke. The Legislature has made such cuts in the past.

"Our greatest concern for 2009 is whether the Legislature will take some action to adversely affect our budget as they deal with their fiscal challenges," he said.

Cities across the east metro are looking for ways to make the painful cuts:

Full Story Here

Pioneer Press

By Brady Gervais and Mary Divine

12/03/2008

Centerville did not make the list...

I’m Just Baffled at How This Stuff Works

"I am the best candidate with the most experience and have proven I can handle difficult issues and make tough decisions. I make all of my decisions based on all of the residents of the city, not just one special interest group. I have been elected twice because I keep my promises, I am honest, and the residents trust me. "

Link Here

In other action, the council:

Agreed to submit a grant application through the Safe Routes to Schools program in the hope that the old adage, “Third time’s a charm” will be true for this particular project. The application for funds to construct a tunnel crossing under CSAH 14 near Centerville Elementary School has been rejected twice previously, but city engineer Mark Statz said the city had been given a “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” from MnDOT that the application would likely succeed this time around. Council members expressed concern that if successful, the project would require the digging-up of a section of the newly relaid Main Street, but agreed that they would make a decision on whether to proceed if the funds were allocated to Centerville. “I’m just baffled at how this stuff works,” said Council Member Jeff Paar, commenting on the news that the application might be successful after the reconstruction of CSAH 14 had occurred.

The Citizen

Link Here

New Fee Structure Examined For Street Project

Water Portion Of Project May Not Be Charged To Homeowners

CENTERVILLE - City officials have announced they are examining a proposal to drop special assessments on the water portion of the 2009 street improvement project.

Instead, a connection fee would be charged to all homeowners as and when they choose to hook up to the municipal water.

In the meantime, the immediate cost of the improvements would be paid for out of the utilities enterprise fund, according to minutes of a Nov. 5 special session.

The possibility was discussed at the Nov. 12 city council meeting. “We had looked at the potential of pulling out of special assessments for the water part of the project,” explained Mayor Mary Capra. “One of the largest assessments in this project is the improvement of the city water.”

It was also announced that the Dec. 1 public hearing on the special assessments to homeowners affected by the project had been postponed to allow city council members more time to investigate options.

The special assessment hearing, at which homeowners will be permitted to challenge the exact amount of their assessments under the project if they wish, is now likely to be scheduled for the first week in January.

Discussion at the special council session convened on Nov. 5 had raised several issues, including the possibility of the connection charge rather than assessment on the water part of the project.

Other areas to be investigated include asking the Rice Creek Watershed District to relax its requirements on rain gardens (accounting for about $250,000 of the project cost), and extending the drop-dead date for water hook-up in the city.

Figures presented at the Nov. 12 meeting indicated that the cost of the city portion of the 2009 street improvement project was $2.8 million, which is an impact to all property owners across the city, amounting to approximately $152 for a home valued at $250,000 or $259 for a commercial property at the same rate.

Louise Edwards

The Citizen 11/26/2008

Downtown Lighting/Business Promotion

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on December 9, 2008 at 6 p.m. This will be after the additional lighting on the south side of the street has been installed.
Newspaper ads have been placed in several newspapers and invitations are scheduled to go out by Wednesday (tomorrow) of this week.
The City has updated ALL the council meeting minutes (as of 11/24) but the City still continues to refer to Statz as the "City Engineer" and even lists him as a staff member.
Link Here
Transcribed by Mary Capra, Centerville Mayor...

State Audit Update

We have received several inquiries regarding the status of the Centerville State Audit.
The Office of State Auditor has been met with and the matter is in their hands now.
Regarding what will be investigated:
It is up to the State officials to determine what will be looked into.
Some of the spending concerns raised by many residents may fall under the City's jurisdiction.
At this point we have no further information and do not expect to receive any until the audit is complete. At that time it will become public information.
Thanks again to all the people that supported the effort.

Why Does the City Continue to Call Mark Statz Our City Engineer?

Why indeed, when he works for Bonestroo? He is a hired consultant for this company and IS NOT a paid employee of Centerville. Why in 2006 did we pay $480,000 for engineering costs...
Link Here
October 22, 2008
Council Minutes
Statz is referred to as a Staff Member which is incorrect.
Where do his loyalties lie? With Bonestroo or the City of Centerville? The other City's he works with call him out as a paid Bonestroo employee. Why doesn't Centerville? Why do we pay almost $100,000 for a City Administrator who overlooks such pertinent information?
Link Here
Here
Here

Third Time's a Charm?

In other infrastructure plans, the council unanimously agreed to apply for a grant — for the third time — to fund a tunnel under County Highway 14 along Clearwater Creek. Larson said this may be the last chance for the city to secure such a grant.
The route would be used for bicyclists and students who want a safer way to cross the road on their way to school, Capra said.
City Engineer Mark Statz (Bonestroo Consultant) said the project has a better chance of getting funded this time by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
“(The safe route) is rising to the top of this next budget cycle,” he said.
One concern about the proposed tunnel is spring flooding of Clearwater Creek, which could submerge the path and render it useless for extended time periods. Partially draining the creek and lowering its level below the proposed path could help alleviate the problem, Statz said.
Another concern was voiced by council member Tom Lee, who believes the added construction will make things worse on Highway 14.
“It will be a nuisance for everyone for more than a day,” he said.
Statz estimated that construction of such a path would take about a month and a half.

Quad Press
Nicholas Backus
Tuesday, 11/18/2008

How much money do you suppose this will cost the citizens of Centerville? Partially draining a creek could be a pretty penny if not completely covered under the proposed grant. The tunnel on Birch Street frequently floods...

Can Small-town Charm Be Built From Scratch?

September 6, 2008

ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS
BY BOB SHAW

Judy Tschumper is chasing a dream.

'It's all right here!' she shouted, over the happy racket of a small-town street party in Lakeville on a hot August night.

Around her was a nostalgic vision of Elvis music, flowerpots, dancing children and food stands -- a throwback to what Lakeville and America used to be. As an old man did the twist beside her, she reveled in the restoration of the everyone-knows-you small-town way of life.

Indeed, that is what most of Minnesota yearns for -- even when it doesn't make sense.

The small towns of yesteryear are gone, yet they grip the imaginations of Minnesotans. From Hudson to St. Paul to Edina, cities fret about losing their small-town charm. Arguments rage and millions of dollars are spent in efforts to preserve or build it.

The rise of the automobile unraveled small towns. When customers could drive to bigger stores, they traded their small-town loyalty for convenience and lower prices.

Meanwhile, air-conditioning and TV kept people indoors. Yards and houses became immense. Neighbors became strangers.

Today, small towns -- like small family farms -- have lost their economic reason for being. Yet Archer said they persist, often with government subsidies.

Full Story Here

Is the time right for Centerville to head in the same direction?

US Home Construction Sinks to New Record Low

Construction of homes falls to lowest on records dating to 1959 as builders cut back.

Construction of new homes plunged last month to the lowest level on records going back nearly 50 years as U.S. builders slashed production while Wall Street nosedived.

Embattled homebuilders, who enjoyed a five-year boom, are now building new homes and apartments at a record-low pace, according to government data released Wednesday. New building permits, a barometer of future activity, also plummeted to the lowest pace on record.

The results were the lowest on government records dating back to January 1959. Previously, the slowest pace had been in January 1991, when the country was in recession and going through a similar housing correction. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected construction to fall even further to a rate of 780,000 units

Wachovia Corp. economist Adam York forecasts that construction will fall to around 650,000 units by next summer. While that's going to be painful for the nation's homebuilders, it will help stabilize the overall U.S. housing market, he said.

"The broader housing market needs fewer homes," York said in an interview. "We built too many homes in the United States and building less is one way to work off the excess inventory."

Story Here

Yet our Merry Band of Leaders have vowed to carry on with the Centerville downtown redevelopment...

Photo above is another vacancy in Circle Pines owned by the Beard Group.

Special Tax Assessment Hearing

Hearing on $2.8 million Street and Utility Improvements Tentatively set for Jan. 7, 2008
A public hearing to discuss the 2009 Street and Utility Improvement Project has to wait until next year, as the Centerville City Council unanimously decided Nov. 12 that it needs more information on the water improvement portion.
The hearing is tentatively set for Jan. 7.
A major issue to consider in the project — estimated to cost $2.8 million — is financing of the initial water main construction, as residents would not pay until they used the water. A city water enterprise fund would pay for initial water main extensions in developed areas, but costs wouldn’t be collected until after hook-up, according to City Administrator Dallas Larson.
The plan is a departure from the 2004 assessments and previous projects in which work was assessed at completion.
“We want to be fair to (those assessed in) 2004 and the others before, because they have already done their part,” said Mayor Mary Capra.

The council will meet Dec. 1 for a workshop to further discuss the project and Capra said further workshops might also be necessary.

“This will have a big impact on taxpayers and we have the responsibility to give it due diligence,” she said.
As for the 2009 Street Project as a whole, tax levy costs for all Centerville residents and commercial properties are estimated as follows, according to Larson.

The pay period would be 15 years per the project’s bond financing.
• Owners of a home with a market value of $250,000 would pay $152.54 annually.
• Owners of home with a market-value of $500,000 would pay $305 annually.
• Owners of a commercial property with a market value of $250,000 would pay $259.32 annually.
• Owners of a commercial property with a market value of $500,000 would pay $564.59 annually.
Projected costs have yet to be finalized, however, and Capra said the city might still pull or add roads to the project.
Full Story Here
Quad Press
Nicholas Backus
Tuesday, 11/18/2008