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<br />MEETING CALENDAR
<br />
<br />March 1988
<br />
<br />Mar. 1 Tuesday Planning and Zoning Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />Mar. 3 Thursday Fire Safety Committee City Hall 7:00 p.m.
<br />Mar. 3 Thursday Landfill Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />Mar. 8 Tuesday City Council City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />Mar. 9 Wednesday Economic Development Commission City Hall 7:30 a.m.
<br />Mar. 9 Wednesday Airport Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />Mar. 10 Thursday Park and Recreation Commission City Hall 7:00 p.m.
<br />Mar. 17 Thursday Fire Safety Committee City Hall 7:00 p.m.
<br />Mar. 17 Thursday Landfill Commission City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />Mar. 22 Tuesday City Council City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />Mar. 24 Thursday Board of Adjustment City Hall 7:30 p.m.
<br />
<br />Agendas for all Council, Commission and Committee meetings are available at City Hall two working days
<br />prior to the date of the meeting.
<br />
<br />MAYOR REIMANN GIVES
<br />ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
<br />
<br />
<br />On February 9, 1988 Mayor Gary R. Reimann of the
<br />City of Ramsey presented the following State of the
<br />City address.
<br />
<br />RAMSEY IS MATURING
<br />
<br />The past year has marked yet another year of growth
<br />and change in Ramsey. The 194 new homes have
<br />added over 700 new residents. However, numbers
<br />alone cannot measure the ways in which Ramsey
<br />has matured.
<br />
<br />You see, Ramsey struggles with managing urban
<br />growth without sacrificing rural lifestyles and values.
<br />Our City Council and City Staff have faced the
<br />challenges of 1987 with considerable success:
<br />
<br />. We are now using the Cable T.V. system to in-
<br />form the public of upcoming events and televis-
<br />ing City Council meetings.
<br />
<br />. A pilot Key Communicator Program is being
<br />funded by the Ramsey Lions Club to promote
<br />citizen understanding and participation in com-
<br />munity decision making.
<br />
<br />. A Solid Waste Abatement Plan has been
<br />developed to reduce the amount of solid waste
<br />created in Ramsey by 16% by 1990 with a
<br />variety of techniques including recycling.
<br />
<br />. Plans and recommendations have been made
<br />by an advisory committee to establish a
<br />volunteer fire department in Ramsey to meet
<br />future fire protection needs.
<br />
<br />. Two new hockey rinks have been added to
<br />Central Park with plans for major im-
<br />provements including a multi-use building.
<br />
<br />. The City of Ramsey received a grant of $40,000
<br />to improve River's Bend Park with tennis
<br />courts, ballfields, parking, and public
<br />restrooms.
<br />
<br />. Currently our City Council and City Staff are
<br />exploring different ways of working as a team
<br />to become more effective at providing these
<br />public services.
<br />
<br />Last year I identified goals for 1987 and am proud
<br />to say that most of those goals have been met, so
<br />let's now look to 1988:
<br />
<br />. Public safety will continue to be an emphasis
<br />as we attempt to assure an acceptable level of
<br />
<br />ATTENTION
<br />
<br />The City of Ramsey is currently seeking can-
<br />didates to fill two vacancies on the Airport Commis-
<br />'sion. The positions require a minimum of one even-
<br />ing meeting per month; familiarity with Ramsey Ci-
<br />ty Ordinances is desired. Ramsey residents in-
<br />terested in serving on the Commission are requested
<br />to submit a letter of application to the Ramsey
<br />Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Blvd. N.W.,
<br />Ramsey, Minnesota 55303, no later than February
<br />9, 1988. The letter should contain the applicant's
<br />name, address, telephone number, work experience,
<br />education and any experience in municipal affairs.
<br />In addition, applicants should include a statement
<br />listing their reasons for seeking appointment to the
<br />Airport Commission. The position is not salaried.
<br />
<br />public safety that will provide a sense of securi-
<br />ty for life and property as Ramsey grows. Plans
<br />must continue to provide long term fire protec-
<br />tion for our community at a reasonable cost.
<br />A civil defense warning system must be install-
<br />ed to properly warn our residents of threaten-
<br />ing weather and other catastrophic events.
<br />
<br />. Economic/business development is crucial to
<br />the future of our community. We must set stan-
<br />dards for quality development along U.S.
<br />Highway #10 which will attract desirable and
<br />profitable businesses. We should recognize as
<br />residents of Ramsey how important business
<br />is to our community and communicate our sup-
<br />port to those businesses who choose to locate
<br />in our community.
<br />
<br />. Parks and recreation must continue to develop
<br />to provide quality leisure time to our residents.
<br />Development of our major parks must continue
<br />and neighborhood groups should focus on car-
<br />ing for and helping to develop our smaller
<br />neighborhood parks. We must look at our total
<br />recreation system and provide trails, parks,
<br />shelters, and other forms of leisure facilities
<br />that match the rural and urban character of
<br />Ramsey.
<br />
<br />. Transportation systems will continue to be our
<br />priority as we acknowledge the need for east-
<br />west corridors to provide reasonable access for
<br />commuters and emergency vehicles. The com-
<br />pletion of County Road No. 116/Rum River
<br />Bridge Crossing must continue to be a priority
<br />to provide access to other major transportation
<br />corridors. Our streets are relatively new, yet we
<br />must be vigilant as we provide proper
<br />maintenance to preserve our significant invest-
<br />ment in these streets.
<br />
<br />. Communication becomes the most important
<br />factor as we attempt to serve our community.
<br />Efforts like the Ramsey Resident, the use of
<br />the public access channel on Cable T.V., and
<br />the Lions Club sponsored Key Communicator
<br />Program must deliver accurate and up-to-date
<br />information about our community, its needs,
<br />and the ways its leaders attempt to meet those
<br />needs.
<br />
<br />For 1988 I would like to repeat my challenges of
<br />1987: .
<br />
<br />To the citizens of Ramsey, embrace change
<br />favorably.
<br />
<br />To the City Council, manage change responsibly.
<br />
<br />To all of those who serve our community, learn how
<br />to work together to be more effective as a unified
<br />team.
<br />
<br />RAMSEY MUNICIPAL CENTER
<br />15153 Nowthen Blvd. N.W.
<br />427.1410
<br />
<br />HOME PHONE
<br />753-1566
<br />427-8198
<br />753-1610
<br />421-1848
<br />427-1254
<br />
<br />CITY COUNCIL
<br />Mayor Gary Reimann
<br />Councilmember Alan Pearson
<br />Council member Arnold Cox
<br />Council member Allen Sorteberg
<br />Councilmember Stephen Deluca
<br />COMMISSION CHAIRPERSONS
<br />Gerald Zimmerman, Planning & Zoning
<br />Roy Shumway, Board Of Adjustment
<br />John Lichter, Park & Recreation
<br />Jack Beissel, Cable T.V.
<br />Don Greenberg, Economic Development
<br />Jack Ippel, Airport
<br />Richard Sieber, Charter
<br />David Bawden, Fire Safety
<br />Steven Bluhm, landfill
<br />CITY STAFF
<br />Administrator David Hartley
<br />Assessor Lester Wirz
<br />Attorney William Goodrich
<br />Building Official Elvin Erickson
<br />Development Director Anne Norris
<br />Engineer Peter Raatikka
<br />Finance Officer Noel Graczyk
<br />Public Works Supt. Merle Mevissen
<br />Police Chief Mike Auspos
<br />
<br />753-4387
<br />753-4392
<br />427-1654
<br />753-1041
<br />441-1939
<br />753-4165
<br />421-2161
<br />753-4055
<br />427 -6820
<br />
<br />427-1410
<br />427-1410
<br />421-5424
<br />427-1410
<br />427 -1 41 0
<br />427-5860
<br />427-1 41 0
<br />427-4180
<br />427 -141 0
<br />
<br />WHAT'S HAPPENING AT
<br />CITY HALL
<br />
<br />Council met on January 19 to visit with
<br />Superintendent Lewis Finch and other represen-
<br />tatives of the Anoka Hennepin School District and
<br />Community Education regarding Council concerns
<br />with various aspects of the District and special levy
<br />referendums. (As with all Council meetings, the
<br />minutes are public information and may be obtain-
<br />ed by calling or stopping in at City Hall.)
<br />
<br />Council met on January 26 and conducted a public
<br />hearing and ordered plans for sewer and water im-
<br />provements for Front Street N.W. from Sunfish Lake
<br />Blvd. N.W. to Tungsten Street N.W. During Citizen
<br />Input, several citizens expressed concern with
<br />snowmobile activity along Hwy. #10 and Waste
<br />Management's proposal for vertical expansion and
<br />development of a ski hill at the landfill. Council
<br />scheduled a public hearing for February 24 regar-
<br />ding sewer and water improvements from 149th
<br />Avenue to Outlot B, Rum Acres Estates. Final plat
<br />approval was granted to Ford Brook Estates Third
<br />Addition which is located north of County Road No.
<br />7 and east of the existing Ford Brook Estates and
<br />consists of 16 single family lots. As a result of an
<br />excessive amount of complaints regarding
<br />snowmobile activity, Council adopted an interim
<br />emergency ordinance limiting snowmobiles to the
<br />travelled portion of highways and streets. A motion
<br />was passed to offer the County a loan of $650,000
<br />to acquire right-of-way and expedite the construc-
<br />tion of the Rum River Bridge. Senator Greg Dahl was
<br />present and reviewed his accomplishments in the
<br />past legislative session, goals for the upcoming ses-
<br />sion and listened to the concerns of Ramsey's coun-
<br />cil. Council authorized extending offers for employ-
<br />ment to Jennifer Swendsen as AccountingClerk and
<br />Kathleen Johnson as Receptionist. Dave Bawden
<br />was present and stated that the Fire Safety Com-
<br />mittee is concerned with Council's decision to in-
<br />clude an advisory question regarding the establish-
<br />ment of a volunteer fire department on the April 19
<br />Special Election ballot regarding the adoption of the
<br />Airport Safety Zoning Ordinance. The Committee
<br />feels that the airport zoning issue will draw a
<br />negative electorate which will not give a fair indica-
<br />tion of how most people feel about a volunteer fire
<br />department in Ramsey. Council noted that the fire
<br />department question would be advisory only and not
<br />bind the city in any way; further discussion was tabl-
<br />ed until all council members are present. The Road
<br />and Bridge Committee was directed to review the
<br />feasibility of realigning the Burlington Northern
<br />Railroad tracks with respect to cost and available
<br />funding sources. The City ordered preparation of a
<br />topographical report on Autumn Heights Park for the
<br />information needed by those area residents that
<br />have donated time and labor to develop that park.
<br />It was noted that space is becoming very limited at
<br />City Hall and a feasibility report was ordered to
<br />evaluate possible uses for the space above the fire
<br />barn. Council was informed that the City has receiv-
<br />ed a $40,000 grant from the Minnesota Department
<br />of Trade and Economic Development for River's
<br />Bend Park. Council ordered that a letter be forward-
<br />ed to the Cable T.V. franchise indicating Ramsey's
<br />displeasure with their decision to broadcast what
<br />could be considered pornographic material since
<br />FCC deregulation.
<br />
<br />Council met on February 9 and ordered plans for
<br />certain improvements at River's Bend Park. Staff
<br />was directed to offer property owners affected by the
<br />Front Street project south of Hwy. #10 the apprais-
<br />ed cash value or certain services for easements; if
<br />the offer is rejected, condemnation will be initiated.
<br />Council ordered preparation of an ordinance amend-
<br />ment for consideration that would increase the
<br />number of off-sale liquor licenses available in
<br />Ramsey from 2 to 3. Council decided that an ad-
<br />visory question regarding whether or not to establish
<br />a volunteer fire department will remain on the April
<br />19 special election ballot along with the question on
<br />whether or not to establish airport safety zoning.
<br />1988 Community Development Block Grant Funds
<br />were designated to be used for transportation ser-
<br />vices for senior citizens.
<br />
<br />A NOTE FROM YOUR
<br />
<br />NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR
<br />
<br />The Ramsey Resident newsletter is paid for with
<br />public funds and is intended to provide public infor-
<br />mation about community events and local
<br />government.
<br />All inquiries and comments regarding the newslet-
<br />ter are welcome and should be directed to the
<br />newsletter coordinator. Articles to be included in the
<br />newsletter must be submitted to the newsletter coor-
<br />dinator at the Ramsey Municipal Center by the 10th
<br />of each month.
<br />
<br />Sylvia Frolik
<br />Ramsey Resident Coordinator
<br />15153 Nowthen Blvd. N.W.
<br />Ramsey, Minnesota 55303
<br />427 -1410
<br />
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