1996 Adopted Program of Municipal Services & Capital Improvements for Fiscal Year 1996

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I mSTORIC BACKGROUND CITY OF RAMSEY The City of Ramsey origiRated in 1857 when Watertown Township was organized. On November 15, 1858, the name was changed to Dover by the Anoka County COIIUTIlssioners. Later that same year, the name was changed to Ramsey in honor of the first territorial governor of Minnesota. In, 1974, the town of Ramsey incorporated as the City of Ramsey, as we know it today. Ramsey is organized as a Home Rule City under a City Charter adopted in 1984. The City Council consists of a Mayor and four Councilmembers, elected at large on an a non-partjsan basis. Elections are held in November of each even-numbered year. The terms of office are two years for Mayor, and four years for Councilmembers, and not more than two Councilmembers' terms expire in anyone year. The City Council is responsible for enacting ordinances, resolutions, and regulations, governing the City, and appointing the City Administrator, City Attorney, and members of various advisory boards. Ramsey is located in the southwestern part of Anoka County and is situated approximately 25 miles from Minneapolis. It originally had an area of21,000 acres, now reduced to 18,449 acres, or 28.8 square miles, following the annexation of part of Ramsey by the City of Anoka. Two major rivers border the City, the Mississippi River along the southern border and the Rum River along the east. Trott Brook flows in an easterly direction across the northern part of the City. Several lakes still exist while others previously in existence have since disappeared. Abundant wildlife, such as deer, pheasant, wood ducks, geese, beaver, raccoons, fox, and even eagles inhabit the more than 1,000 acres of parks and wetlands that cover the City. Expansive, reasonably priced lots that are interspersed within all of this natural glory offers area residents and businesses an urban-rural" setting that has no rival in the Twin Cities area. Ramsey is a country setting with the advantages of a big city: In more than 125 years "of history, Ramsey has many times been on the verge of developing into a large. urban center. This has never been more true than the present. Industry, commercial development, and considerable residential construction have increased substantially during the past few years which is projected to continue. With the availability of 733 acres for residential development, 652 acres for commercial and industrial projects, and the organization of the Economic Development Authority to assist in the business development, this managed growth has been a long-term City goal. The rapid "growth of the City is evident in its population figures. In 1860, the township had a population of 192 which grew to approximately 8,000 by the time the City was incorporated in 1974. Ramsey's 1995 population estimate of 16,388 represents a 32% increase over the 1990. U.S. Census figure of 12,408. The City's most rapid increase in population occurred from 1970 to 1980 when the City's population grew over 300% from 2,360 to 10,093. The City projects a year 2000 population of about 20,000 residents. i