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MAY 1998, VOLUME 13, NO.4 RAMSEY LIONS HOST ANNUAL COMMUNITY PICNIC JUNE 6 CITY NEWSLETTER STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS I By Mayor Thomas G. Gamec I would like to take this time to review the past year and also the plans for the future. As you are aware, many personnel changes took place this past year. Everyone was concerned about how we would continue to give the same level of service with the lack of personnel. However, everyone pulled together and took on extra work which made everything go quite smoothly. I would especially like to thank Linda Waite Smith, Jo Thieling, and Sylvia Frolik for their extra hours and support. After reviewing City's Organization Chart, the Council created, and will be creating more, new staff positions. There have been several new hires recently, including James E. Norman, City Administrator; Sean Walther, Community Development Assistant; and Dean Kapler, Director of Public Works. We will also consider hiring a Community Development Director or Planner and eliminating the position of Economic Development Coordinator, which is currently vacant. This past year, we have again experienced strong residential growth. In 1997, we issued 222 new house permits with a valuation of $27,000,000. Our commercial and industrial area has also continued to experience strong growth. A tax valuation of$7.3 million has been created along with about 200 new jobs in the area. Traffic, as we are all aware, continues to be a concern of the City Council. This past year, due to aggressive efforts of the City Council, we were able to secure extra Federal, State and County funding to proceed with construction of the County Road #116 extension, which will begin in July of this year, and the construction of the Trunk Highway #47 improvements beginning in 1999. The T.H. #47 project will begin at C.R. #116 and go north to 153rd Avenue. It will include turn lanes, center islands and traffic lights at 142nd, 149th, and 153rd Avenues, and at County Road #5. The City Council is not pleased with the 2.3 million dollars the City has to contribute to the project, but if the City had not provided this funding, it is questionable when T.H. #47 would have been upgraded. Council has made a commitment to Ramsey's residents that this project will be completed. There are also projects planned to be done in conjunction with the T.R. #47 upgrade. They are the extension of Sunwood Drive from County Road #5 to T.H. #47 and drainage projects. The City Council is committed to not using any of the City's money that is intended for existing streets in Ramsey. The City is now involved in the updating of our Comprehensive Continued on Page 5 Once again, the Ramsey Lions are hosting a Community Picnic at Central Park. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, from 3 :00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All City residents are welcome to attend this event, which features something for every member of the family. Special attractions include: .' . ~ RIdes and Games of Chance Petting Zoo . RY AA Baseball Tournament Fire Department Exhibition Police Department Exhibition Live Entertainment Food and Beverages All kids, 12 and under, will receive a free hot dog and pop, courtesy of the Lions. , Many of the scheduled events happen at varying times (e.g. base ball tournament will be all day while the rides will be from 3:00 p.m. to dusk). Residents are encouraged to attend this community event and see how the Ramsey Fire Department saves lives and how the Ramsey Lions serve the community throughout the year. INSIDE. .. . .. Page # Garden Club Plant Sale 3 Springkling Ban 3 Summer Programs 5 Surplus Park Equipment 4