Ramsey Resident - 1986 - December

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CRIME STOPPER NEWS The following thefts, vandalism and burglaries were reported in Ramsey during the month of November. If you have any information about these incidents, call 427-1410 and do your part to stop crime. Date Location Description Date Location Description 11-1 178XX Vanadium Vandalism. 11-12 155XX Zirconium Damage to mailbox. 11-2 Gateway North Airport Theft of fuel. 11-13 158XX Radium Street Attempted burglary. 11-3 6001 167th Avenue Theft from vehicle. 11-14 73XX 151st Lane Vandalism. 11-3 54XX 142nd Avenue Theft from vehicle. 11-15 72XX 151st Lane Vandalism. 11-4 151XX Kangaroo Burglary. 11-16 6937 Hwy. 10 Theft of vehicle. 11-4 153XX Iguana Vandalism. 11-17 6720 138th Avenue Burglary. 11-4 7105 Hwy. 10 Theft of vehicle parts. 11-18 68XX 157th Lane Theft of hub caps. 11-4 86XX 176th Avenue Damage to mailbox. 11-19 6545 Hwy. 10 Vandalism. 11-5 87XX 167th Avenue Damage to mailbox. 11-21 14911 Ramsey Blvd. No pay on gas. 11-5 92XX 176th Avenue Damage to mailbox. 11-24 158XX Juniper Ridge Theft of ladder. 11-5 177XX Eaton Street Vandalism. 11-26 Lake Itasca area Theft of traps. 11-5 92XX Ermine Blvd. Vandalism. 11-28 158XX Nowthen Blvd. Theft of mailbox. 11-6 64XX 154th Lane Theft from vehicle. 11-28 15800 Armstrong Blvd. Damage to property. 11-9 55XX 164th Lane Vandalism. 11-28 6545 Hwy. 10 Damage to property. 11-10 7127 Hwy. 10 Burglary. 11-30 165XX Kangaroo Theft of wood. 11-10 Berg Oil No pay on gas. 11-30 163XX Yttrium Theft of vehicle parts. 11-10 Gateway North Airport Attempted theft. 11-30 93XX 173rd Avenue Negligent fire. 11-12 74XX 151 st Lane Damage to property. 11-30 141 XX Krypton Damage to property. CABLE TV NEWS A series of half hour programs designed to assist people with the G.E.D. examinations can be seen on the educational access channel Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 P.M. These programs are then repeated back to back on Saturdays from 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. On Saturday, November 22, the production van was used to tape the play "The Dining Room" at Anoka Ramsey Community College. Watch for this program on Ch. 12. Announcements concerning the winter Public Ac- cess production classes have been sent to District 11. Check the next issues of the community educa- tion bulletins for dates and times of these classes. The Anoka County 4-H Video Club has just about completed their training and will be starting to pro- duce Public Access programs in the near future. PHONE NUMBER CHANGE* * * The new number to call for cable TV service is 483-9999. Cl1ris1ii1tJS Gree1ii19J' RIGHTS OF WAY Again this winter, as in most, we will experience the problem of our snow plows running into things in the Right of Way that don't belong there. These consist of fences, railroad ties, rocks and numerous other items many of you place on property that real- ly belongs to the public as a part of the street. For those of you who don't know, the public Right of Way does not stop at the edge of the roadway but is, in most instances, 33 feet from the center of the street. What this then means is that the first twenty (20) feet or so from the edge of the road does not in fact belong to the home owner even though it is yours to maintain. Further, the placement of any obstruc- tions in this area whether it be fences or whatever is not only in violation of City policy but could sub- ject you as the home owner to a personal liability. In view of all this we would ask that you refrain from placing obstructions in the Right of Way and further ask that those of you that have items in the Right of Way make it a point to have them removed. COUNCIL ESTABLISHES STORM SEWER TAXING DISTRICTS At the November 25, 1986 Council meeting, or- dinances were adopted establishing the city into two storm sewer taxing districts -- the Rum River District and the Mississippi River District. This action follow- ed months of review and consideration on the part of the City Council and city staff to find the most equitable means of financing any necessary storm sewer improvements. Part of that review process in- cluded looking at other options available for financ- ing storm sewer improvements. They are: Special Assessments - With special assessments the area claimed to be benefitted tends to be nar- rowly defined. The problem with special assessments is that storm sewer improvements often benefit people that live other than where the actual improvement is being constructed and assessed. Ad Valorem Tax - This method has been used in the past by some communities to pay for storm sewer improvements but it is a cumbersome pro- cedure. It is difficult to borrow money when the revenue source is tax generated from the entire community. Developer Installation - This method can be, and is, used to some extent but a lot of properties are already developed. Another problem is that areas needing drainage are generally much larger than what a developer is developing. Tax Increment Financing - This is a specialized means of financing storm sewer, or any other im- provement. It becomes rather difficult to use for storm sewers because it only works if development occurs and/or property values increase to generate enough tax dollars to pay for the improvements. According to Minnesota State law, cities can establish storm sewer taxing districts, perform im- provements in the districts and tax the properties within the districts to pay for the improvements. Even with the ordinances in place, the construction of storm sewer improvements could not occur until Council follows a certain procedure set down in State law and the city charter. Part of that procedure in- cludes that the city conduct a public hearing, at which time the estimated costs of the improvements are made known. If a project is approved, the city would most likely authorize the sale of bonds, with the collateral being the full faith and credit of the en- tire city. The city would get the money to pay back the loan from taxes levied against all properties within a particular taxing district. If no improvements are made within a district, property taxes will not in- crease due to the Storm Sewer Taxing Districts. Unlike the special assessment procedure, the city will not be required to prove that any particular pro- perties derive special benefit with the taxing district method. The city does have a Comprehensive Storm Drainage Plan that was established in 1980 which divides the city into 8 different districts. The basis for dividing the city into districts is based on physical boundaries such as highways, streets and ridges. In April of this year, Council considered adopting two of those districts named in the Comprehensive Plan in which specific drainage problems were occuring. At that time, Council directed city staff to research the possibility of declaring the entire city as one drainage district. Council felt it would be more equitable to have all property owners within the city share the cost of any necessary storm sewer im- provements. Staff researched that possibility and reported back to Council that the bond counsel did not look favorably upon establishing the entire com- munity as one drainage district. It would be more ap- propriate to establish the community into two drainage districts; that area that drains to the Rum River and that area that drains to the Mississippi River. Consequently, a public hearing was held and the two district method seemed to be the most equitable, with one exception. That exception was concern for those areas that have already installed and paid for storm sewer improvements. Staff was directed to amend the proposed ordinances to ex- clude those areas that have already invested in storm sewer improvements and reinclude those areas in their appropriate taxing district when their relative investment equals that of the district in which they are located. Staff did so but noted that this method would be very cumbersome from an accoun- ting standpoint. City staff was then directed to draft ordinances establishing two storm sewer taxing districts that would exclude those areas that already made investments in storm sewers for a predeter- mined amount of time. On August 26, Council was presented with or- dinances to establish the Rum River and Mississip- pi river Storm Sewer Taxing Districts that excluded those areas that have already invested in storm sewer improvements for a period of 5 years. Coun- cil moved to introduce the ordinances and they were officially adopted on November 25, 1986. Those or- dinances become effective 30 days after publication in the official newspaper. LOST AND FOUND THE PERSON WHO LOST MONEY ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 29 AT RAMSEY MUNICIPAL CENTER SHOULD CONTACT ARLENE STAF- FORD AT 427-1410. VANDAL ACTIONS CHILL THE XMAS SEASON This article is being written with the express in- tent to hopefully shame some of you into changing your ways. In fact I wish I knew who you are so your names and addresses could be published in this newsletter and, perhaps, the public castigation and notoriety would have a beneficial effect on your future. However, since you are likely persons under the age of 18 years, the state law wouldn't allow this anyway (to your detriment I believe!); so maybe this article will help. I am referring to the nefarious acts of vandalism committed this time of year against Christmas decorations on houses and in yards. It starts about the time the first light strings go up and generally involves the tearing off of light strings, theft of the bulbs or cutting into pieces the cords and strings. Sometimes yard creches are broken up or the figures stolen, only to be dumped where they won't be found. Now, understand please that this is not a plea on behalf of the Christian faith since I fully realize that this community is comprised of persons of differing beliefs or non-beliefs and I'll not proselytize Christmas in this article. In fact it is possible that some persons who decorate their homes and yards don't do so as a conscious display of religious belief. I suspect however that in just about all cases, these displays are a symbol of the warm feelings and long- ing for peace and illumination that exists at this time of the year. Regardless of faith, or the lack of it, for a month or so, these decorations seem to convey to most of us a sense of warmth, caring and giving. One out of twelve isn't too bad and it is a start! But along come you; the vandals, the grinches, the twisted ones and you attempt to do your best to put out the lights and chill the warmth. WHY? Are your lives so miserable and mean that you are try- ing to "get even" with everybody who may be hap- py? Is there some bitter conflict within you that drives you to drag others down? Or are you just plain be- ing stupid and you are doing this because it seems popular to do and you are keeping score? If you really do fear that this is some sort of deep seated mental, environmental or physical problem, come to see us at the PO and we will direct you towards help and assistance. If you are just doing it as a "ha-ha" then please stop. You are not im- pressing anyone including your friends. And, if you know anybody who is doing this sort of thing in the community, or out of it for that matter, talk to them about it. If that doesn't help, then turn them in. In the long run you will be helping them. Thank you. COUNTY MEDIATION SERVICE SEEKING PROJECT DIRECTOR Mediation Services is now ready to formally start this non-profit organization for Anoka County residents and is seeking a project director. The position would be half-time, variable hours, as executive director of Mediation Services, a non- profit corporation in Anoka County. This is a new position with this newly-formed corporation in Anoka County. The program will provide an alternative dispute resolution system to people in Anoka Coun- ty through the use of volunteer mediators facilitating problem solving. Skills needed-demonstrated supervisory and volunteer organization experience; ability to make public presentations; fund raising experience. Col- lege degree or equivalent experience desired. Star- ting annual salary up to $10,000. Resumes and letters of application accepted through December 31, 1986. Send to: Mediation Ser- vices, 9701 Avocet St. N.W., Coon Rapids, MN 55433. GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? Remember Citizen Input. The Ramsey City Coun- cil, Economic Development Commission, Park Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, Airport Commission and Charter Commission all have a "Citizen Input" time set aside at the beginning of each meeting. "Citizen Input" permits citizens to ad- dress Councilor Commissions without first having to get on the agenda. If you have something that you would like to bring to the attention of Councilor Commissions, don't forget "Citizen Input".