Ramsey Resident - 1985 - September/October

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r i -- - -.. ~-.---..._.. --- -... --- - ------ , A Word 'From Your Tree Inspector i I The theatre of seasons changes summer into fall. As in previous years, oak wilt and Dutch elm disease have left us a legacy of dead and dying trees. When you are in the City Hall lobby you can see a road- side survey map of the City marked with "0" and "'E" for wilting oaks and elms. The sooner these trees are remov- ed, the better for City tree health. Burning permits for the disposal of diseased wood can be applied for at City Hall and by consultation with the City's Tree Inspector (Bruce Bacon, 753-5099). As many of you know, open burning within 600' of each neighbor will require special consideration. Until an alter- nate disposal site is establish- ed by the City, elm and oak diseased brush is best burn- ed for disease control. This assures destruction of Dutch elm beetles and their breeding sites, the fungal spores that cause elm and oak trees to wilt and die. September through Novem- ber freeze-up (and April through May in the spring) are the recommended best time for planting and transplanting trees and diversifying the species on your land. Decora- tive and maintenance pruning, however, are best accomplish- ed November through March. This is the trees dormant period as well as insect, spore, bacterial and viral dormancy. Wood is an organic material and is biodegradable. Biode- gradation process is slower than burning, and for many households can be a desirable method of disposal. More and more homeowners are com- pos.ting lawn clippings, leaves and organic kitchen leftovers. This organic matter can be profitably added to our sandy soils for sustainable plant growth. Please explore the possibility of composting since b,urning permits are not issued for leaves, yard and garden debris. You may call the Tree In- spector for further information and consultation on managing your yard debris efficiently through the annual cycle. An information sheet regarding open burning per- mits and application is avail- able at Ramsey City Hall literature counter. Do You 'Know Ramsey's Nuisance Ordinance? Ramsey's nuisance ordin- ance, Chapter 110.19 of Ram, sey City Code, addresses the following types of storage in residential districts. ' 1. One unlicensed vehicle is allowed on a residential pro- perty; the storage of more than one motor vehicle is in viola- tion of the nuisance ordin- ance. 2. There shall be no open storage of junk .autos, motor vehicles, parts of motor vehicles or former motor vehicles not currently licensed and is either: a. unusable due to lack of or defects in component parts; b. unusable due to damage from collision, deterioration or having been cannibalized; c. beyond repair and not in- tended for future use as a motor vehicle; or d. being kept for possible use of salvageable parts. 3. The storage or accumula- tion of junk, trash, rubbish or refuse of any kind, except refuse stored in such a man- ner as not to create a nuisance for more than 30 days, is not permitted. Junk is defined as parts of machinery or motor vehicles, unused appliances, remnants of wood, decayed, weathered or broken construc- tion materials no longer suit- able for use, and any metal or other material. 4. Vacant dwellings, garag- es or other accessory build- ings are not permitted unless such buildings are kept locked and protected from vandals. The City must provide writ- ten notice of any violation of this ordinance to the owner or occupant. This notice shall re- quire a remedy of the violation. If this is not done in 10 days from the time the violation is issued, a code violation is issued to the owner or occu- pant. The City may also take the necessary action to remedy the situation and may recover any expenses of this from the owner or occupant. II(...~.W@J l 1L ~ What's Happening At City Hall City Council met on June 11 and: -Awarded contract for storm drainage improvements in Flintwood Hills Second Ad- dition. -Received petition object- ing to sealcoating projects on 161st and Llama. -Granted a grading permit to Mr. Art Raudio. -Granted final plat approv- al to Northfork Planned Unit Development. -Directed Cemetery Com- mittee to research a new cemetery site in Ramsey and report to Council regarding cost and feasibility of a city- owned cemetery. Council met on June 25 and: -Approved the sale of bonds in the amount of $670,000 for public improve- ments. -Approved payment of bills for the month of June in the amount of $626,192.42. -Adopted Ordinance 85-9 amending the Charter to elim- inate the required reading of resolutions and ordinances prior to adoption. -Adopted Ordinance 85-4 establishing "A Fund For The Purpose Of Mitigating and Compensating For The Local Risks, Costs and Other Ad- verse Affects of Landfills". -Adopted Ordinance 85-2 establishing environmental protection regulations. -Adopted Ordinance 85-7 amending bowling alley license fees. -Adopted Ordinance 85-10 rezoning Northfork from Resi- dential and Rural Business to 'Planned Unit Development. -Adopted the Lower Rum River Water Management Or- ganization Joint Powers Ag reement. -Passed a motion directing that the funds derived from the community fund raiser and the Lutheran Brotherhood dona- tion be divided equally be- tween River's Bend Park and Central Park. -Denied KTWN's request to construct a 1000' radio tower at the southeast corner of Armstrong Blvd. and 173rd. Council met on July 9 and: -Passed a motion directing the City to retain an indepen- dent attorney, at a cost not to exceed $500, to investigate the legal ramifications of a one-page letter dated June 30, 1985 regarding J.R.'s Saloon signed by three councilper- sons. -P3ssed a motion directing the Streets Dept. to cable and lock Brook View, Central and Titterud Parks evenings at 10 p.m. -Awarded 1985 sealcoat- ing projects to Allied Black- top. . -Passed a motion to repeal the June 25 Council direction regarding community fund raiser money and the Lutheran Brotherhood donation be divided between River's Bend Park and Central Park and re- questing the Park and Recrea- tion Commission for a recom- mendation on the spending of those funds. Council met on July 23 and: -Approved payment of bills for the month of Jl!ly in the amount of $189,612.78. -Adopted an amended Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization Joint Powers Agreement. Council met on July 29 and: -Passed a motion to hire Mr. Noel Graczyk as the City's Finance Officer. -Appointed Mr. Roy Shum- way to the Planning and Zon- ing Commission. -Approved an amended de- velopment agreement for Northfork to not allow vari- ances from the established street grid in Ramsey and re- quired an escrow to be used for maintenance costs on Jar- vis St. -Adopted a policy regard- ing employee attendance at seminars and schools. Cons.idering A Home' Occupation? Home occupations may be The process for obtaining a permitted as accessory uses conditional use permit is as provided the homeowner ap- follows: plies for a conditional use per- 1. Apply for a conditional mit and the following condi- use permit with the City's Zon- tions are met. ing Officer and provide all in- a. The home occupations formation requested. shall be carried on by a 2. The Planning and Zoning member of the family residing Commission conducts a in the dwelling unit; public hearing on the request. b. The home occupation Based on the hearing, the shall be carried on wholly Commission makes findings within the principal structure on the request and forwards unless specifically authorized the findings and a recommen- otherwise in the conditional dation to the City Council. use permit; and 3. The City Council takes c. Any exterior signs other final action (approval or denial) than those permitted in the on the request. Signs chapter of the City ~o~ditional use permits re- Code, any exterior storage of . main In effect as long as the materials and any exterior indi- conditions agreed upon .are cation of the home occupation observed. is not permitted. --- -r- I