Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com
SPECIAL SECTION
and the surrounding areas May 5, 2016 • Volume 131 • Number 10
Ice rink is focal point of referendum Rosemount Area Hockey Association leaders say time is right for additional ice rink by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Summer Sensations Inside this edition is a special section that includes a calendar of summer events for the six cities the newspaper covers. Inside this edition
OPINION Met Council changes afoot Columnist Don Heinzman says that changes to the Met Council’s structure are likely after the 2016 legislative session. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
Classic funny business
With 43 youth and high school hockey teams in Rosemount and the Rosemount Area Hockey Association’s participation ranking it 15th among 140 Minnesota hockey associations, RAHA leaders say another indoor ice rink is needed now in the city. But whether or not the city of Rosemount will build that rink is up to local voters. Rosemount residents will decide on Tuesday, May 17, if the city can is-
sue up to $15 million in bonds to fund the construction of an indoor ice rink, develop new youth baseball and soccer-sized fields and make improvements to Central Park. Comprising more than half of the funds at stake in the election, the ice rink has been a focal point of conversation since the city announced the bond package in March. Opponents have said that the price tag for the bond package is too high and disproportionately benefits those who skate. If approved, the esti-
mated tax impact to the median value home of $238,250 would be $99 per year for the 20-year life of the bonds. The city says most commercial and industrial properties would experience an annual property tax increase of around 1.6 percent. Rising property values over the past few years have been the primary drivers of annual property tax increases for the city portion of taxes, which have been for the median value home $34 for payable 2016, $26 for payable
2015 and by $12 for payable 2014. Among the most vocal supporters of the bond referendum have been RAHA leaders who say the rink is needed based on its participation growth of 40 percent over the past five years from 400 to 640, less than ideal practice times, the inability to host big tournaments, the need to travel to rinks outside of Rosemount to find practice and game space and the economic boost it could provide. “The time is now to get this done,� said Chris Ka-
lata, RAHA communications director. Advocates for a second ice rink in Rosemount say it would allow children and teens to avoid playing too early in the morning or too late at night as has been the norm at the Rosemount Community Center Ice Arena, which was built in 1993. Open from early morning to late into the evening daily during the ice season, the rink often has junior varsity high school girls practices slated at 7 See RINK, 5A
Farmington puts $10 million recreation referendum on ballot Plan focuses on developing Jim Bell Park and Preserve by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
After years of discussion, Farmington residents will have the opportunity to cast a vote for more parks and recreational facilities this fall. The Farmington City Council accepted a plan during Monday’s meeting to put a $10 million referendum question on the ballot Nov. 8. Most of the plan is focused on the development of the Jim Bell Park and Preserve, a 135-acre area north of 195th Street in the heart of Farmington.
About 30 acres is currently being used as farmland, but if the referendum passes, it would turn into fields for baseball and soccer, aquatic facilities and playgrounds. Mayor Todd Larson said the City Council has heard from citizens for years about a lack of park development. He said all of the facilities in the plan are features the city has needed for a long time. “Unfortunately we don’t have unlimited funds,� Larson said. “It would be nice to double that, go $20 million, but there’s no way. I think
we’re doing the best we can do with $10 million, minus a few tweaks.� The city has come close to approving a referendum question three other times since 1997. Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad said the plan, which was assembled by the Recreational Facilities Task Force over the past four months, doesn’t serve all the needs, but through partnerships with area athletic associations, it will come close. If approved, the city The Farmington City Council approved a plan to put a would issue a $10 million referendum question on the ballot this fall to fund a series of recreational facilities. The plan focuses on developing See PARK, 7A Jim Bell Park and Preserve. (Photo by Andy Rogers)
‘Mary Poppins’ pops in again
The Mel Brooks musical comedy “The Producers� is coming to the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 15A
Ulfers receives $115,000 settlement Former CDA executive director will release all claims against the agency
SPORTS
by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Lacrosse teams apply pressure Rosemount, Farmington both keeping pace with the best in the conference. Page 9A
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Public Notices . . . . . . 10A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 11A Announcements . . . . 14A
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with DIRECT TV to offer cable services, but this would be its own system run through its existing internet service. “We would not need to rewire everything,� Phillips said. Phillips said the company has successfully coexisted with other cable companies in other locations. Charter Communications representatives were also given the opportunity to comment on Frontier’s plans. LeeAnne Herrera, director of government affairs at Charter Communications, said Charter has been Farmington’s cable provider for See CABLE, 8A
See ULFERS, 6A
Rosemount High School students rehearsed n Tuesday for its weekend performances of “Mary Poppins.� The musical is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students. Doors open one-half hour prior to curtain. For more information go to the RHS website www. district196.org/rhs or contact the box office at 651-683-6969 ext. 37540. (Photo by Tad Johnson)
Farmington may get another option for cable TV City looking into an agreement with Frontier
INDEX
The Dakota County Community Development Agency and its insurance provider will pay the CDA’s former executive director of 38 years $115,000 in exchange for Mark Ulfers’s full release of claims against the CDA as part of a settlement agreement that was reached in arbitration. The CDA Board, which includes all members of the County Board, approved on April 19 the agreement, which brings to a close more Mark Ulfers than a yearlong dispute as the CDA accused Ulfers of workplace harassment and he denied those charges at the time of his termination and later during a 30-minute address to the board during a nameclearing hearing. “My family, friends and colleagues have been amazing and never wavered in their support,� Ulfers told the newspaper this week. “I could not be more fortunate and blessed to have so many
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Residents of Farmington may soon have another choice for cable television. The city recently received a request from Frontier Communications to provide cable TV for the city’s residents through its internet service. Following a public hearing Monday, the City Council directed city staff to begin negotiations with Frontier to provide cable to its resi-
dents in competition with Charter Communications. It may take some legal action, but the city was motivated to give residents options. Frontier representatives detailed its plan and services to the council and city staff. “This will give your constituents choice and a competitor,� said Jack Phillips, director of government and external affairs at Frontier Communications. The cable package is called Vantage TV with up to 460 channels along with on-demand, high definition and recording services. Frontier previously partnered
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