Ramsey Resident - 1989 - January

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ASSISTANCE WANTED!!! By: Chief Auspos On January 1st, 1989 at 2:15 A.M., in the 15000 block of Highway 47, one of our officers had an en- counter with a snowmobiler. He had turned on his red lights to have the operator stop so he could talk to the person. The machine slowed to nearly a stop and then, as the officer approached it, the driver ac- cellerated suddenly and swerved directly at the of- ficer. He was able to jump out of the way and the machine just brushed by his leg. However, in per- forming this violent evasive manuever, the officer sustained a serious tearing of vertebrae ligaments and is out of service for several weeks. The driver fled Northbound, no doubt proud of his manly capabilities and skill, uncaring whether he had in- flicted injury or not. This was a deliberate act and it causes me to wonder about the mental stability of such a person. If he would use the machine to attack an officer do- ing his job of representing the people, what else would this person do to a citizen who may happen to object to the person driving through a yard or how about someone just out for a walk at night and be- ing in this person's path? We just adopted a snowmobile ordinance that is more restrictive than the state laws, which were previously our standard for enforcement. It won't take much, believe me, to see an even tighter or- dinance and, perhaps, total banishment from our city streets. And in the event you think that the PO will be responsible for such an action you are wrong. We are already having citizen complaints about illegal and careless operation of snowmobiles and these types of operators will assure more restrictions in the future. Now I just know that this person had to go about braging of his prowess to someone, or, considering his actions, has come to someone's attention in the past. Therefore, I am asking that if anybody has any knowledge of this incident, any knowledge at all, please give us a call at the police department, anonymously if you choose, and tell what you know. We don't have a reward fund available to us so I'm asking for a freebie on this one folks! The machine was a dark color, possibly black and didn't appear to have any registration numbers on the hood or a visible brand name. It may be an older model Artic Cat or a John Deere of the older color scheme. Again, this happened near 151st and #47 (St. Francis Blvd.) If you have information please call us at 427-6812 during the day and, if after hours or on a weekend, call 427-1212. If you want to remain anonymous and you call the 427-1212 number, tell the dispatcher that you want to call the officer at the 427-6812 number and he will go there to await your call. Thank you. RAMSEY'S FIRST WATER TOWER IS WELL INTO CON- STRUCTION AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE SUM- MER OF 1989. PILOT CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM UPDATE [ 1 I I i The pilot curbside program that started on November 4, 1988 is currently enjoying a 50 to 55 percent participation rate. For a new program this is a good start. However, it means that 45 percent of the eligible residents are not taking advantage of this service. Based upon current participation, the curbside program in 1989 will account for about 35-40 tons of recycled material. Using this rate, if we attain a 90 percent rate of participation, the total weight recycled will be 70 - 80 tons. This would ac- count for roughly 65 to 75 percent of Ramsey's goal for recycling tonnage in 1989. The city is currently considering including plastics in the curbside recycling program. The plastics would be limited to pop bottles and the plastic milk containers. If this program is found to be feasible it would start in the future. If you live in the pilot area and have not yet receiv- ed a recycling container, or have any questions con- cerning the curbside program please contact Jim Gromberg at 427-1410. SHOULD THE CITY REQUIRE STREET LIGHTS The Ramsey Planning and Zoning Commission is considering standards and costs for street lighting in ex- isting and newly developing areas, and the amount of lighting that would adequately address safety issues. The Planning and Zoning Commission is seeking citizen input, in the form of a survey, as part of the basis for their recommendations to City Council. Your participation in the survey would be appreciated; please respond by February 3. Thank-you. CITIZEN INPUT SURVEY STREET LIGHTS (JANUARY, 1989) Urban Area (municipal sewer/water) Rural Area (private I (we) reside in the well/septic) area. In newly developing areas, the cost of installing street lights should be the responsibility of the developer. Yes No. In existing areas, the cost of installing street lights should be the responsibility of the benefitting pro- perty owners. Yes No The operation of lights (electric bills) should be the responsibility of the benefitting property owners. Yes No Should the City have a policy requiring street lights in: Existing areas Yes No Newly developing areas Yes No Should street lights be installed only at intersections (public safety). Yes No Should street lights be installed through-out neighborhoods at regular intervals (public safety and security). Yes No Return to: Community Development Department, City of Ramsey, 15153 Nowthen Blvd. N.W., Ramsey, MN 55303 INTRODUCING CITY STAFF ~.... ~ ~ l ~J. 1/1. j' Community Development Department L to R: Community Development Director Mark Banwart, Building Official Elvin Erickson, Project Manager Jim Gromberg, Department Secretary Colleen Rybak, Planning Assistant Sylvia Frolik, Tree Inspector Bruce Bacon, Com- munity Development Technician Steve Lutmer, City Assessor Les Wirz. (Note: Since the drafting of this newsletter, Building Official Elvin Erickson has taken employment with the City of Little Falls and the City Assessor, Les Wirz, has retired. Watch future issues for the introduction of the City's new Assessor and Building Official). Public Works Department L to R: Public Works Superintendent Merle Mevissen, Parks & Utilities Coordinator Mark Boos, Maintenance Worker Greg Talbot, Heavy Equipment Operator Mick Stenquist. Administration L to R: Receptionist Kathy Johnson, City Administrator David Hartley, Personnel Coordinator Judy Thul, Building Mainte- nant Robert Strong, Executive Secretary Penny Curtis. Finance Department L to R: Accountant Jennifer Swendsen, Finance Officer San- dra Ashley, Accounting Technician Jane Persons, Data En- try Clerk Linda Aaseby. ~e II. Police Department Officers Jim Balabon, Jim Singewald, Dave Gustafson, Department Secretary Arlene Stafford, Chief Mike Auspos, Officers Jim Way, Jeff Arneson and Bob Kuhn. RAMSEY'S RECYCLING SUCCESS The City of Ramsey has enjoyed great success for it's recycling efforts for 1988. Listed in the chart below is the currently recorded amounts of recycled materials by the city of Ramsey. ENTITY Ramsey ACTIVITY Curbside TIME FRAME START 4-Nov-88 WEIGHT (TONS) 0.0575 5.0375 0.424 0.275 MATERIAL ENDING Aluminum Newspaper Glass Metal Newspaper Aluminum Metal Aluminum Newspaper 4.38 Glass 3 Metal 58.84 LeTourneau Drop-Off 1-0ct-88 31-Dec-88 Corrugated 32.5 Ramsey Chipping 1-0ct-88 31-Dec-88 Brush 22 Total 126.894 The amount indicated shows a 25 percent increase over the City's goal of 101 tons for the 1988 year. This means that the City will receive all of the performance funds from the county that the city is eligible for. The goal for 1989 will be higher with different categories in making business recycling not included in the city amount. This means that we all must keep up the good work to make next years goal. The City staff has developed a office paper recycling program for city hall and encourages businesses to contact the city at 427-1410 to set up a program for their business. 31-Dec-88 Boy Scouts Ramsey School Jaycee's Drop-Off Drop-Off 1-0ct-88 1-0ct-88 31-Dec-88 31-Dec-88 0.25 0.13 Drop-Off 1-0ct-88 31-Dec-88