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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CITY HALL City Council met on May 17 and introduced two ordinances that would amend Emergency Ordinance #90-7 and Or- dinance #90-8. #90-7 and #90-8 established a 180 day moratorium on the siting of adult bookstores in Ramsey. In summary, the ordinance amendments introduced would: a) expand the scope of the previous ordinances to address adult entertainment centers versus just adult bookstores; b) establish a 1,000 foot minimum distance requirement bet- ween adult entertainment centers and residential districts and 750 feet from churches/schools/youth facilities during the moratorium period; c) provide that a violation of the or- dinances would be a misdemeanor. City Council Met on May 22 and conducted public hearings regarding the proposed bituminous surfacing of Bison Street NW. from 171st Avenue N.W. to the northern boundary of Trott Brook Ridge Addition, extension of sewer trunk and watermain service to Wood Pond Hills, Fleischer's 2nd Addi- tion, Chestnut Hills, Cedar Hills, Cedar Acres and Windemere Woods. Council introduced ordinances amending the hours of operation for the sale of non-intoxicating malt liquor, off- sale intoxicating and on-sale intoxicating liquor establishments in accordance with State Statute. Bids were ordered for the 1990 sealcoating and overlay projects. Coun- cil determined that the proposed project to surface Bison Street from 171st to Trott Brook Ridge should proceed through the process in a cul-de-sac layout versus a through street into Trott Brook Ridge. A discussion was held regar- ding the status of development of Juniper Woods Addition with respect to drainage in relationship to the retention pond on Lot 1, Block 5, Rum Acre Estates; Council denied the request to amend the drainage pattern for Juniper Woods by installing underground pipes to redirect the drainage from the lot in Rum Acre Estates to the drainage easement in Juniper Woods; Council directed that the retention pond on Lot 1, Block 4, Rum Acre Estates be restored as close as possible to it's previous natural state and that a special meeting be scheduled to review cost estimates for the restoration; Council did approve a change order to extend sewer, water and storm sewer to Phase II of Juniper Woods. Council adopted Ordinances #90-9 and #90-10 amending the requirements for siting adult entertainment centers during the 180 day moratorium period. Council discussed options for a city-wide curbside recycling program in conjuction with the SCORE Bill; staff was directed to develop plans for Council review that would establish a 4-material curbside recycling program that would be provided for by individual refuse haulers. Ordinance #90-11 was adopted and amended re- qulations for the keeping of horses. Chestnut Hills, propos- ed to be located northwest of Ramsey Terrace and consisting of 56 acres subdivided into 102 urban residential lots, received preliminary plat approval. Plans and specs were ordered for the extension of trunk sewer and watermain to Cedar Hills, Cedar Acres, Chestnut Hills, Windemere Woods, Wood Pond Hills and Fleischer's 2nd Addition. Northfork 5th Addition, proposed to be located west of Lake Itasca and east of Jarvis Street and consisting of 125 rural residential lots and a golf course, received preliminary plat approval. Park 67 Industrial Park, 4 lots on 10 acres in the Industrial District south of Industry Avenue and east of Sunfish Lake Blvd., received final plat approval. Council adopted an offi- cial parks and trails plan for the City. It was noted that the portion of trail system on the east side of County Road #83 and adjacent to the North Forty Addition was incorrectly designated on the North Forty plat map as drainage/utility easement versus park; staff was directed to continue to negotiate with affected residents for an agreeable solution that would maintain the City's trail system. Gateway Nroth Industrial Park Plat 4, a resubdivision of Outlot A in Gateway North Industrial Park Plat 3 into 3 lots, received preliminary plat approval. Dennis Sharp's site plan for a 60,000 square foot building in Gateway North Industrial Park Plat 4 was ap- proved and Council scheduled a public hearing regarding the approved tax increment financing participation in the 60,000 square foot facility to be developed in Gateway North In- dustrial Park Plat 3. Council approved a temporary 3.2 beer license for the Ramsey Lions Community Picnic on June 16. Busse Construction was granted a conditional use permit to excavate and fill in the Trott Brook Floodway in conjunction with improvements to County Road #83. The bid for sewer, water, storm sewer and street paving on Rivlyn Avenue was awarded to Kadlec Excavating. City Council met on June 12 and received and certified a petition that disallowed the paving of Waco Street and Waco Drive north of 179th Lane. Extensions were granted to the recording time for Alicia Addition and Trott Brook Ridge Addition. Council ordered plans for the paving of Baugh Street. Council ordered the installation of storm sewer pipe on Lot 1, Block 5, Rum Acre Estates and obtaining cost estimates to restore the retention pond on that lot. Unisys was present to demonstrate the optical scan voting units. Council approved a request from residents to close off 176th between Unicorn and 175th Lane for a block party. Gateway North Industrial Park Plat 4 received final plat approval. Preliminary approval was given to the issuance of revenue bonds on behalf of Ramsey Investments and Parabody. An off-sale intoxicating liquor license was issued to C.R. Foods for Ralph's Hwy. #10 Liquors (formerly Discount #10 Liquors). A public hearing was scheduled for July 10 to con- sider a proposed ordinance establishing regulations and stan- dards for street lights. Council ordered bids for the im- provements to the parking lot at Ramsey Municipal Center. Ordinances were adopted amending the hours of operation for the sale of on-sale and off-sale intoxicating liquor and non-intoxicating malt liquor. Council requested that the Road and Bridge Committee review those median crossings on Hwy. #10 that Mn/DOT is proposing to eliminate. In recogni- tion of a former councilmember, Council declared June 16, 1990 to be AI Sorteberg Day. A letter of thanks was sent to the 4-H Cheerful Chuggers for planting flowers in the gardens at the Ramsey Municipal Center front entrance. SCHEDULE OF JULY MEETINGS AND OFFICE CLOSURES 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 2, 1990 Regular Make the Scene, Keep Ramsey Clean Committee Meeting 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 1990 Regular Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Wednesday, July 4, 1990 OFFICE CLOSED IN OBSERVATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, 1990 Regular City Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 1990 Regualr Economic Development Commission Meeting 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11,1990 Regualr Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11,1990 Regular Fire Department Meeting 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 1990 Regular City Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 1990 Regular Board of Adjustment Meeting All meetings are held at the Ramsey Municipal Center unless indicated otherwise. SEWER BACK-UPS: What every homeowner should know by Kristi Haselman, LMCIT and Peter Tritz, LMCIT Executive Director Sewer back-ups are a problem facing every city's residents. Claims for damages to people's homes caused by sewer back-ups probably lead to more misunderstanding and hard feelings than any other single kind of claim. It might be possi- ble to avoid some of these problems if homeowners are made aware of three basic points regarding sewer back-ups and the resulting damage: 1. The city is not automatically liable for resulting damages whenever a sewer backs up. The city is only liable for those damages if the back-up was caused by the city's negligence. 2. Many homeowners insurance policies exclude damage resulting from sewer back-ups. Thus, homeowners often end up looking to the city to pay their damages when their own homeowner's insurer denies their claim. 3. Some homeowners insurance companies do provide sewer backup coverage. Therefore, it is possible for homeowners to protect themselves against this risk. Minnesota courts have made it clear that the city doesn't and can't guarantee that its sewers will never back up. A sewer system is not a closed system. Any resident or business that is hooked up to it dumps waste in it. Some of the things dumped into the sewer system can clog the system. Large amounts of grease from restaurants and disposable diapers are two common problems. While cities can adopt rules prohibiting dumping these things into the sewer and can try to educate the public about the problems they cause, there's really no way the city can absolutely pre- vent these things from happening. Other factors can cause back-ups as well. Tree roots can grow into and obstruct the lines; or extraordinary amounts of rainfall can infiltrate the system and overload it. The courts have made it clear that the city is liable for sewer back-up damages if, and only if, the city's negligence caus- ed the damages. There are four basic questions the courts look at in deciding this issue. The city is liable if, and only if, the answer to all four is yes. 1. Was there a defect in the city's sewer line? This might be a tree root, a foreign substance such as grease or a diaper that has found its way into the line, a sag or break in the line, bad design of the line, etc. 2. Did the city know, or should the city have known, about the defect? For example, were there previous complaints or reports of problems, should the pro- blem have been discovered during routine inspec- tion or maintenance of the lines, etc. 3. Did the city fail to correct the defect within a reasonable time after learning of it? 4. Did that failure by the city cause damages? Thus, if the city exercises reasonable care in inspecting and maintaining its sewer lines, and if the city responds to pro- blems in a reasonable manner and time, the city is not liable when sewer back-ups occur. This is why it is very impor- tant for the city to perform regular maintenance and inspec- tion of its sewers and to keep good records of when that maintenance and inspection was done. Of course, if the city is not liable, that may mean that the homeowner may have to bear the loss if their own insurance company won't cover it. It's a good idea for homeowners to check their policies or ask their agents about this coverage. GOPHER FEET REIMBURSEMENT The City will reimburse Ramsey residents $.75 per pocket gopher. Place FROZEN gopher feet (front pair only) in plastic baggies in groups of ten pair per baggie. We will reimburse residents immediately in amounts of $15.00 or less. Checks will be issued within two weeks for any amounts greater than that. ATTENTION RAMSEY RESIDENTS If you ~o~ld b~ interested in serving on any of the following commissions In the event of a vacancy, please submit a letter of application to Kay McAloney, Personnel Coordinator at Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Blvd. NW., Ramsey, Minnesota 55303. Letters of applications should contain th~ applicant's ~ame, address, telephone number, work expenence, education, and any experience in municipal affairs. In addition, applicants should include a statement listing .th~ir reasons for seeking appointment to any of the commiSSions. Economic Development Commission Park & Recreation Commission Planning & Zoning Commission Horse Care Commission OZONE GENERATORS PRODUCE A POLLUTANT, NOT A CURE The Anoka County Extension Service wants the public to be aware that some appliances that are advertised as air cleaning devices are not appropriate for home use. For example, appliances that generate ozone are now being marketed as household air cleaning devices but they should not be used in an occupied space. Ozone is a serious environmental pollutant. Ozone in small amounts will cause irritation to the respiratory system and at high concentra- tion can cause damage to the lungs and other bodily systems. While 0.02 parts per million (ppm) is the odor perception threshold, the amount at which one is normally able to begin to smell its presence, 0.05 ppm, has been associated with decreased electrical activity in the brain. At long term ex- posure of less than 0.10 ppm, both reduced respiratory function and headache without fever have been documented. Ozone is particularly hazardous to infants and children, the elderly and those persons with repsiratory problems or allergies. Ozone generating appliances have long been used appro- priately by commercial cleaning companies to do away with odors left after cleanup activities following fire damage. After charred material has been removed and wall and floor soil have been removed, there is often a lingering odor. Pro- fessional applicators, typically wearing protective clothing, may be able to remove that odor using high levels of ozone. Residents should not be present in the house during applica- tion and the house should be aired before they return. This effective use is quite different from using ozone generated in small continuous or intermittent amounts to freshen air in occupied spaces. If the source of an odor is not removed, ozone will pro- duce only short term odor reduction and the health of the occupants may be damaged. Moldy odors, in particular, should be tracked to the source so the cause can be cor- rected in order to protect both the occupant and the struc- ture. It is a better practice to correct the cause of an odor than to treat the odor itself. Happy 4tlt~S duly!