January 2006

Tour Central Park and Lookout Ridge online
Council appoints 11 citizens to advisory boards
Council Perspective: Council authorizes analysis of Woodbury's storm water system
Protect your puppy; purchase your dog's license
Applicants sought for Police Reserve Program
'Get Caught Recycling' and get some cash!
Public comment invited on storm water program

Tour Central Park and Lookout Ridge online

You may have already strolled through Woodbury's indoor Central Park on your way to Lookout Ridge indoor playground. Now you can tour both facilities from your computer.

The city recently launched virtual tours of Central Park and Lookout Ridge indoor playground on its Web site located at www.ci.woodbury.mn.us.

"Most of our residents have already enjoyed the tranquility of Central Park and many have experienced the excitement of the Lookout Ridge indoor playground," said Jodi Sauro, recreation supervisor. "The virtual tours capture the amenities of these popular recreation destinations for those who may not be as familiar with them."

Central Park already hosts several weddings, receptions and special events each year. Staff hopes the virtual tours, which show park locations set up for formal occasions, will help attract additional reservations.

The virtual tours can be accessed on the city's Web site from the Central Park and Lookout Ridge indoor playground main pages. From the home page, click on "Parks and Recreation," then select "Central Park."

In addition to the virtual tours, you may want to check out several other great features you can find on the city's Web site including:

• InTouch e-mail notification - The InTouch e-mail notification service allows Woodbury residents and other interested individuals to sign up to receive e-mail messages from the city on a variety of topics. The e-mail messages are structured as brief summaries that direct the recipient to more information through a link to the city's Web site. A notice is sent to subscribers of a list when an item has been posted or updated on the Web. The user would click on the link included within the e-mail to view the updated page(s). Subscribers can add or remove themselves from any of these lists at any time, and if you forget your password, we will instantly e-mail it to you.
• Online registration for recreation programs - Online registration for recreation programs is now available. To sign-up for a class, or review course offerings, visit the city's Web site at www.ci.woodbury.mn.us, click on "Parks and Recreation" on the home page, then select "Online Registration."
• Parks and trails map - View a city map complete with parks and trails. From the home page, visit "Parks and Recreation," select "Parks," then click on "Trail Map."
• Online business directory - Find out about local services and businesses by visiting the Business Directory, which can be accessed on the home page. Woodbury businesses are eligible to be listed on the city's Web site for a nominal annual fee of $40.
• Employment opportunities - Would you like to work for the City of Woodbury? Job postings are listed on the city's Web site. From the home page, click on "Jobs and Volunteerism." You can download all the application forms.

For more information about the Woodbury Web site, contact the Administration Department at (651) 714-3523.

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Council appoints 11 citizens to advisory boards

Eleven residents were appointed to Woodbury advisory commissions by the City Council in December. Those appointed serve on a volunteer basis. Commission terms are for three years, unless noted otherwise.

Twenty-seven citizens applied for the advisory board vacancies this fall, and Council members interviewed candidates Dec. 3. According to Mayor Bill Hargis, the Council once again was impressed with the number of applicants and their qualifications.

"Woodbury has been very fortunate in attracting candidates who have professional or personal experience relevant to the various advisory boards," Hargis said.

The advisory groups and those appointed include:

Economic Development Authority: Joni Barg. The EDA studies and analyzes economic development needs of the city and implements programs to attract business. The EDA also administers several financial incentive programs. EDA members serve six-year terms.

Economic Development Commission: Roger Green (reappointed) and George Weyer. The commission acts as a coordinating body and resource agency for economic development matters. Commission meetings are held quarterly; committee work is conducted between meetings.

Environmental Education Commission: Justin Merritt (reappointed), Mike Kazmerski and Aida Mendez. This commission advises the City Council on matters relevant to environmental education issues including solid waste, air, water, land, energy, and other natural resources.

Parks and Recreation Commission: Ken Larson, Lynne Markus and Tracy Peterson. The commission works to protect natural resources, studies park site planning, and reviews recreation programs. It makes recommendations relating to the location of parks and the layout of amenities within city parks.

Planning Commission: Jim Erkel and Amy Schmidt (both reappointed). The Planning Commission is responsible for all questions relating to planning, zoning and sign regulations. It reviews all applications for development and recommends approval or denial based on conformance with the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations.

In addition to the commission appointments, Council members also named four to subcommittees. They are: Rwoof Reshi, Business Development Subcommittee, Adam Heaton and Amy Petschauer, Infrastructure and Telecommunications Subcommittee, and Richard Newmark, Energy Subcommittee.

The Council also selected chairpersons for the commissions. They are: Roger Green, Economic Development Commission; Brett Anderson, Environmental Education Commission; Sunday Olayinka, Parks and Recreation Commission; and John Moore, Planning Commission. The Economic Development Authority elects its own chair.

As new appointees are named, the City Council wishes to acknowledge those who have completed their service on city boards and commissions. They include Kristin Lukes, Economic Development Commission; Catherine Janik, Economic Development Authority; Angela Chen, Nancy Remakel, and Lyn Robinson, Parks and Recreation Commission; and Linda Goodno and Lynne Markus, Environmental Education Commission.

Citizens interested in serving on any of the city's advisory boards may apply for openings annually. Applications generally are accepted in October or early November; commissioners' terms begin in January.

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Council Perspective: Council authorizes analysis of Woodbury's storm water system

By Mayor Bill Hargis

Winter has arrived, the ground is frozen, and most of the precipitation these days is in the form of snow. The City Council is focusing on rain, though, remembering the storm of Oct. 4 and 5 and our promise to study Woodbury's storm water system and determine if improvements are needed to address issues raised by that rain event.

In December, the Council authorized consulting engineers Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates to conduct two phases of studies that will further define the problems we experienced, identify options for potential improvements, and also analyze both the positive and negative impacts of the various options.

The October 4-5 rain event
What happened on Oct. 4 and 5 to set this process in motion? Woodbury experienced a significant rain storm that caused isolated damage to both public and private properties. Some neighborhoods experienced flooding, several storm water ponds overflowed, and flash flooding occurred at nearly 60 intersections and low spots where catch basins were overwhelmed.

The city's trunk storm sewer and pond system is designed to accommodate a 100-year storm, which is the engineering design standard used by most communities for their major storm water facilities. Weather data provided by the South Washington Watershed District - which guides storm water management for the central part of Woodbury and neighboring cities - indicate the Oct. 4-5 rain event exceeded the 100-year storm, due to the duration and intensity of the rainfall.

The good news was that the vast majority of the system withstood an event far greater than its design capacity; the bad news was that some neighborhoods experienced flooding and property damage. Most seriously impacted by the storm were the Marsh Creek neighborhood, Wilmes Lake and Pendryn Hills areas, Fox Run Road area, and the eastern part of Eagle Valley.

Neighborhood/public input
Because of the storm's impact on particular areas of Woodbury, the studies will continue with a series of four neighborhood meetings this month. Everyone who contacted the city during or after the storm and provided a name and address will receive an invitation to these meetings. One session, scheduled Jan. 17 at City Hall, will focus on the city at-large and not a particular neighborhood. All of the meetings are open to the public, of course.

At these meetings, citizens will have an opportunity to tell city staff, consulting engineers, and watershed district representatives more about the problems they experienced due to the storm. The sessions will expand on the resident feedback we already obtained in numerous conversations and at a Nov. 10 meeting jointly held by the city and the watershed district in the aftermath of the rain event. The City Council will receive a progress report on the study at the Feb. 21 workshop meeting, which also is open to the public.

In the next study phase, various options for addressing all areas of concern will be identified, along with the positive and negative impacts of all options. Once a comprehensive document of options is compiled, a second series of neighborhood meetings will take place, tentatively in May, so residents can hear about the options and offer comments.

It is anticipated the City Council will receive another update in early summer and determine how the city will proceed to phase three, the selection and design of projects to be implemented . We must proceed carefully. Because storm water systems within a watershed district are interdependent, you can solve a problem in one area but create a problem in another. The Council is committed to making improvements that represent the best long-term solution for the city and the region.

I want to assure residents that this analysis of Woodbury's storm water system, along with the work the watershed district is doing on regional systems, is a high priority for the City Council in 2006. If there is a cautionary note to sound, it is that this analysis must be thorough and it takes time; there is no quick fix. In addition, if improvements to the storm water system are constructed, they will be costly and that will impact storm water fees and/or taxes for all residents in the future, as we all contribute to the storm water system.

Questions or concerns about this issue or the process for citizen input should be directed to the Engineering Division at (651) 714-3593.

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Protect your puppy; purchase your dog's license

American popular culture has produced several famous dogs such as Lassie, Old Yeller, Toto, Snoopy and Scooby Doo, just to name a few. However, despite these pooches' iconic reputations, none of their names are among the most common dog designations in Woodbury.

The most popular names among dogs licensed in Woodbury in 2004 and 2005 were: Abby, 41; Max, 40; Bailey, 38; Maggie, 37; and Buddy, 33. Among the unusual names were Axel Rose, Twinkle Toes, Root Beer, Tootsie Roll and Rhubarb.

Labrador Retrievers are still "top dog" in Woodbury. Though they come in an assortment of colors, 458 Labs were licensed in the city during 2004 and 2005. Golden Retrievers were in second place with 183 residing in the city. Other popular breeds included: Bichons Frises, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels. About 2,145 dogs were registered in 2004 and 2005.

In 2004, the Woodbury Public Safety Department changed its dog licensing process, making licenses effective for two years. All new licenses obtained since January 2004 were prorated to expire at the end of 2005, meaning all dog licenses will have to be renewed in 2006.

"The change from a one-year license to a two-year license made the administrative process more efficient," Capt. Jay Alberio said. "It also is more convenient for residents."

The cost of the two-year license is the same for 2006: $18 for male or female dogs, $10 for spayed or neutered dogs.

Licenses are required for all dogs six months and older, and should be purchased prior to March 31. After that date, the cost of the license doubles. New residents of Woodbury must license their dog within 60 days.

Identification through licensing your dog is important. Sometimes dogs wander or become lost. The license tag helps animal control officers locate the owner of any pooch they may pick up.

You can use the attached application to purchase your license by mail or in person at the Public Safety Building, 2100 Radio Drive. Proof of rabies vaccination must be provided. If you mail in the application, please include the rabies certificate. It will be returned with your license.

Questions can be directed to the Public Safety Department at (651) 739-4141. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Local veterinary clinics no longer sell dog licenses.

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Applicants sought for Police Reserve Program

If you have an interest in law enforcement and you're looking for a meaningful way to get involved in the community, you may want to apply for the Police Reserve Program in Woodbury. The program began in 1995 and consists of volunteers who assist the Public Safety Department with police calls and services.

"Reserve officers wear a uniform similar to police officers and patrol the city in a marked police vehicle," said Officer Chris Murray. "However, they do not carry a firearm."

Reserves assist the Police Department with calls for service such as vehicle lockouts, animal complaints, and motorists needing help. Reserve officers also may assist with traffic direction and crowd control. They are qualified to search and impound vehicles, search and handcuff suspects, and transport prisoners to jail.

New members of the Reserve Program will receive training in defensive tactics, report writing, traffic control, prisoner booking, basic first aid, crime scene preservation, and much more. The Woodbury Police Department provides the training and uniform for new reserves.

The Woodbury Police Department is currently accepting applications for the Police Reserve Program. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. Reserve officers are required to volunteer at least 10 hours per month.

The selection process will include completing a city application, an interview, and a background investigation.

If you are interested in joining the Police Reserves, contact either Officer Chris Murray at (651) 714-3637 or Capt. Jay Alberio at (651) 714-3604.

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'Get Caught Recycling' and get some cash!

Here's a resolution for the new year: Put your recyclables out for curbside pickup every collection day. Your efforts will help the environment by reducing waste; they'll also make you eligible to win some money.

Starting in January, a new program being sponsored by the city and the Environmental Education Commission (EEC) will reward residents who "Get Caught Recycling" with $50 in cash. Here's how it will work:

Each month an address in one of the city's four trash hauling/recycling districts will be randomly selected. City staff will check to see if residents of that address have recyclables out by 7 a.m. that morning. If they do, they instantly win $50.

With four trash and recycling pickup days in Woodbury, residents in each area will be eligible to win three times during the year. Only one prize will be awarded each month, for a total of $600 over the course of the year. The money for the program will come from recycling grant funds distributed by Washington County.

Through "Get Caught Recycling," the EEC hopes to stimulate more interest in recycling and have a little fun too, said Julie Lehr, environmental education coordinator.

Winners will be listed on the city's Web site at www.ci.woodbury.mn.us starting at the end of January. More information on materials you can recycle curbside also is available on the Web site.

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Public comment invited on storm water program

To address issues related to storm water runoff, a 1987 amendment to the federal Clean Water Act requires implementation of a two-phase national pollution prevention program. As part of this program, Woodbury, along with many other communities in Minnesota, was required to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The permit addresses many areas, specifically outlining controls and practices the city will implement in an effort to reduce or eliminate pollutants from storm water runoff.

The NPDES permit program requires regulated cities to hold a public meeting in conjunction with the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) annual report. This meeting allows citizens an opportunity to review the city's SWPPP and give written or oral input regarding the program.

The public meeting to review the SWPPP and 2005 accomplishments will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road. A copy of the SWPPP will be available Jan. 16 in the Community Development Department at Woodbury City Hall for review by interested citizens.

For more information, contact the Community Development Department at (651) 714-3533. Additional information about Woodbury's storm water program can be found on the Woodbury Web site at www.ci.woodbury.mn.us. On the home page, click on "environment" in the navigation bar. On the environment page, select "water quality" in the menu of options.

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