The Fire/EMS Staffing Task Force has been meeting every other Friday since November. The group has spent a significant amount of time reviewing Fire Department and EMS statistics such as response times, type of call, budget, demographics, and numerous other items. Several members have joined the Fire Department for ride-alongs. The task force also has discussed issues and problems. The group has concluded that this complicated topic requires additional research in identifying the statistics that show where the problems are, so solutions can be sought. Therefore, a subcommittee of staff members has been meeting biweekly to do the legwork. A question regarding the issue has been prepared for the community survey and the task force plans a Council workshop update in the upcoming months.

A task force of staff members continues to meet regarding the development of a citizen service request and work order system. The group has been successful in identifying the different systems currently used by departments for service requests and work orders. Task force members also have considered how the ultimate system would work. The next step is for the group to prepare a request for proposal and further review of technology that currently exists. The group is preparing for a possible request in the 2006 budget.

The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) is planning to install a demonstration porous pavement project at the end of the cul-de-sacs at Juliet Drive and MacBeth Court. The project will replace the existing asphalt with brick pavers that allow water to infiltrate between the joints of the pavers into the subsurface of the roadway. The project is intended to benefit the water quality of Carver Lake. RWMWD is funding 100 percent of the cost of the project. A neighborhood meeting was held to explain the project to the affected neighbors, but for the second time, no one attended. RWMWD is proceeding with plans and specifications, which will be ready for city approval around mid-March, with an anticipated construction start date in July.

The city recently mailed notices to more than 700 Woodbury businesses regarding the city's Web site business directory. The directory is updated annually and more than 135 businesses were listed in 2004. The cost to be listed is $40 per year. Churches and non-profit organizations are posted free of charge.

In conjunction with the federally-mandated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, a public meeting was held Jan. 13 to receive residents' comments about the city's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP).

Staff gave a presentation that included:

• an overview of the NPDES permit program
• the SWPPP’s six minimum control measures (MCMs)
• the requirements for each MCM
• the city’s major accomplishments for each MCM this year
• future goals and
• an overview of the revised NPDES permit requirements

After the presentation, residents had an opportunity to give input on the program. Three residents attended the meeting and provided comments. A summary of resident questions and comments is available for review. Staff does not believe these comments require adjustments to be made to the SWPPP before submitting the annual report to the Council for approval and then to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The city has been constructing a new water well on the east side of Settlers Ridge Parkway, approximately 200 feet south of Balsam Way. The drilling activities associated with the construction are nearly complete. The contractor will soon be performing test-pumping activities to determine how much water the well can produce. In order to test the well, a temporary water pump, powered by a diesel generator, will be installed in the well casing and will be pumped periodically for approximately two weeks. These activities are scheduled to begin the week of Jan. 24. There will be a period of approximately three to four days when the well will be pumped continuously.

Grading activities for The Retreat at Garden Gate, located north of Eastview Road and west of Cottage Grove Drive, have recently started and will focus on grading the public street that loops through the development along with "building pad A," which is located in the southwest corner of the site. Typically, grading activities do not take place in winter. However, the developer decided to begin grading now so that a model multi-unit building could be constructed as soon as possible.

The city is currently in condemnation proceedings to acquire a portion of the Doug and Brenda Lamb property for the extension of Settlers Ridge Parkway one-quarter mile north and south of Valley Creek Road. The Lambs refused a purchase offer of $300,000 based on an appraisal for 5.12 acres of permanent right-of-way and 1.71 acres of temporary construction easement. Based upon the Lambs' refusal of the city’s purchase offer and an unwillingness to negotiate or discuss the matter, the acquisition process by condemnation was initiated. On Jan. 14, at the Washington County District Court, the city requested the court to determine the use of the Lamb property for road right-of-way was a legitimate public purpose. The city also requested the court to authorize a quick take procedure for the land acquisition and to appoint condemnation commissioners. The court did authorize the aforementioned requests and the city will have right of access to the property approximately April 1. The actual purchase of the property might take several months longer to complete.

The Energy Conservation Task Force will hold its first meeting on Monday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. in the Community Development Conference Room. The agenda includes a review of the task force’s plan of action in order to narrow the focus and determine assignments, and set the future meeting schedule. The task force consists of 10 citizens, with Peter Rekow serving as chairperson.

The four outdoor hockey and eight pleasure rinks opened on Dec. 23, with ongoing maintenance taking place seven days a week. The lake aerator on Battle Creek Lake was turned on for the season on Dec. 29 and will run until ice-out in the spring.

A KSTP Channel 5 television crew visited Lookout Ridge indoor playground Jan. 7 to tape a story about places that families can visit on cold days. The footage is scheduled to air during a "weather special" on Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The crew interviewed Ann Ringgold, recreation specialist, and parents who were visiting the playground. KSTP also did some taping at Bielenberg Sports Center on Jan. 19. That footage is expected to air Jan. 26 during the 6 p.m. news.

Performances in the Park scheduled to take place in the Central Park amphitheater in February include the Schiffelly Puppets on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m.; the Stillwater Area High School Jazz Band on Sunday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m.; and Will Hale on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m.

Parks and Recreation is in the process of distributing the 2005 Sponsorship Package to Woodbury businesses. In 2004, approximately $10,000 was donated to help pay for programs such as Safety Camp, Performances in the Park, Fourth of July, and other family special events.

Golf course staff is progressing with winter projects. The maintenance department is primarily focusing on equipment maintenance and repair. In addition, there are a few major projects in progress including upgrading printed materials and conducting an assessment of reservation system options.

Staff has launched a new and improved Web site, located at www.eaglevalleygc.com. The site includes a comprehensive tour of the golf course utilizing numerous pictures of the course. The site was designed to be informative while featuring and highlighting the golf course and its amenities. The Web site is a continual work in progress and will be updated frequently.

1. Hampden Woods, January 27, 6:30 p.m., Council Conference Room

1. Pine Ridge Addition, Planned Unit Development, Preliminary Plat, Case Nos. 04-81 and 04-82

Nothing scheduled at this time

1. Park and Recreation Commission, February 1, 7:30 p.m., Council Chambers

Respectfully submitted,

Clinton P. Gridley

City Administrator