Vol. 5 No. 1
Prepared and paid for by the City of Cologne
October 2011
POSTAL PATRON
Cologne
PRST STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 120 COLOGNE, MN
Intersection proposal intended to reduce crashes
MnDOT looking at safety improvement for Hwy. 212
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he C it y of C olog ne ha s requested t he Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to review the intersection of Hwy 212/284/CR 53. While MnDOT is awa re of fata l accidents fairly quickly after an event, the collection of data on other accidents is done on an annual basis. In analyzing that information, it shows that 2011 accidents at that intersection already match the totals for the years 2006-2010. Cologne’s City Council recently passed a resolution that authorized the city to request slower posted speeds and a stop light to be located at the intersection. After several meetings with Council members, Planning Commission and staff, MnDOT has shown through prior experience that slower speeds will actually create more of a traffic hazard by changing the “speed differential” of oncoming traffic.
Hwy 212/284/CR 53 Intersection
as they see fit, they are asking for the community’s input regarding any planned changes.
CSAH 36 eastbound access
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it y of f icia ls met w it h MnDOT representatives in early September, who proposed a safety improvement draft concept for the City to consider. While MnDOT can make any changes to the intersection
EA DRI T AND NK SCA BE RY!!
A proposed R-Cut intersection would reduce conflict points from 42 down to 24, while eliminating the most dangerous right angle crashes, according to MnDOT. The traffic movements eliminated from this intersection would be north/south bound movements (Hwy 284-CR 53), south bound traffic (Hwy 284) heading east, northbound traffic (CR 53) heading west. Vehicles traveling east on Hwy 212 could still make a left turn onto Hwy 284, vehicles traveling west on Hwy 212 could still turn left onto CR 53. Two access points on CSAH 36 would be changed to allow safer
Cologne Lions
OCTOBERFEST COSTUME
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011
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Initial concerns from the City Council and Planning Commission were southbound emergency vehicle access, impact on local businesses, the farming vehicles access to the elevator and moving traffic accidents down the road to other intersections. MnDOT representatives promised to take a look at these concerns but noted that emergency vehicles would have a surmountable curb that would allow them to cross southbound onto CR 53.
While MnDOT just completed its five-year capital planning pro c e s s, a nd t h i s proje c t wouldn’t be typically eligible
for consideration until 2017, new federal safety funding has become available for fiscal year 2012-13. The federal funding is a competitive grant process with other MnDOT districts within the state but our MnDOT district feels this intersection would receive strong consideration due to its accident history. While reducing speed limits and stop lights would be a less expensive option for MnDOT, they do not qualify for the safety grant funding, and while these steps may provide a greater “sense” of safety, in fact they would likely become more dangerous, according to MnDOT. MNDoT will be hosting an open house 5:30–7 p.m., Mon., Nov. 14, 2011 at the Cologne Community Center to review the draft proposal and receive public feedback on possible changes. Check the City website for updated MNDoT maps.
Lions expand trail system
Proceeds help fund community improvement projects
Join us for a GHOULISH good time!
westbound access to Hwy 212 via Village Parkway.
The transportation representatives noted the other intersections onto Hwy 212 have better site lines along with limited access on the other side of the road, reducing potential crash causing variables.
7:00 - 11:00 pm Cologne Community Center
Tickets are $30.00 each Available from any Cologne Lions Member or Contact Kim at (952) 467-3637
CSAH 36/Hwy 212 westbound access
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he Cologne Lions recently installed a trail connecting Lions Park to the city’s trail system. The 420-ft. long lighted trail connects up at CSAH 36 between Fritz Field and Burky’s Bar and Grill. The trail connection provides a safe and convenient access to the park that features new playground equipment, a covered shelter, cooking grills, restrooms and a ball field. Donated labor and equipment by
MnDOT has also shown that people will drive what they consider a safe speed regardless of posted limits in the absence of continuous traffic enforcement. In other words, a majority of people will travel an average of 67 mph (2011 speed study) in lieu of ongoing enforcement. Some motorists may travel at 50 mph and others at 70 mph creating another variable for crossing motorists to consider. MnDOT was adamant that a traffic signal would not improve safety but could very well make it more unsafe at that location. They showed city representatives data at several installed signaled intersections three and six years prior and three and six years after a signal was put in showing an actual increase in accidents and in fatalities. Signalized intersections do not qualify for Federal Safety Transportation Improvement Funds as they are considered a traffic function rather than a safety function. Another unique characteristic is the 2.1 miles of four-lane traffic buffered by two lanes on either side of the freeway. This causes motorists at times to use this stretch of road as a “passing zone” and again adding to the “speed differential” of the vehicles.
Lion members, along with $10,000 of their community improvement funds, provided for most of the supplies needed. The City of Cologne funded engineering, application processing, signage and crosswalk markings for the project. The Lions would like to thank Carver County Soil and Water and the Carver County Highway Department for their cooperation in the permitting process.
City of Cologne
Cologne City Council
Park & Recreation Board
1211 Village Parkway, P.O. Box 120, Cologne, MN 55322 Web site: www.ci.cologne.mn.us or www.Cologne-iSP.net
Mayor Bernie Shambour Don Meyer Scott Williams Matt Lein Jill Skaaland The City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7 p.m.
Craig Pexa Scott Rynerson Open Park Board position
Planning Commission
District #108 Community Education
Marcia Tellers Joel Sievers Kenton Exner David Reif Don Meyer (Council Rep) The Planning Commission meets on the 1st Monday at 6 p.m.
531 Morse Street, Norwood Young America, MN 55368 Phone: (952) 467-7390 Web site: www.dist108ce.org
Contact Us City Hall/Clerk’s Office ........................................(952) 466-2064 John Douville, Administrator ............ douville@ci.cologne.mn.us Public Works .................................... Terry Bullock, Jeff Wildung Cologne-iSP .........................................................952-466-2184 Emergency/after-hours public works pager..............................................(612) 579-7054
Mark Kalstas Mark Willems
Cologne
Looking for a way to give back to our military members?
Looking ahead: 2012 general fund budget
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he preliminary 2012 genera l fund budget of $968,253 has been approved by the City of Cologne. The tax levy has a $0 increase after Fiscal Disparities are calculated. Fiscal Disparities is a sevencounty metro program created by the state legislature to collect taxes from business/industrial growth in the region since 1971 and redistribute it throughout the region. Cologne is a net recipient of fiscal disparities at $148,569, up $47,578 from 2011. While challenged to meet a $0 increase, the City was not able to make up the difference of the state legislature’s removal of the Homestead Market Value Credit. Traditionally, this credit reduced homeowners’ local tax levy and was reimbursed to the city by the state. What actually happened over the last several years was the state removed the homeowners levy while not reimbursing the city causing budget shortfalls. In 2011, the city lost $99,116 in promised state reimbursements and aids. In 2012 the city will lose over $108,000. The state has often used cities as a first buffer during its budget shortfalls. In the early 1990s, when the state was facing fiscal challenges, they turned to the cities and forced sales tax on their purchases, in effect a tax on a tax. Even during times of state budget surpluses, the sales tax on city purchases was never lifted by the legislature, causing Minnesota cities to raise over $100 million a year in additional property taxes to pay the state sales tax. A truth in taxation hearing will allow for public comment on the city budget at 7:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, 2011.
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A tip of the cap from the Hollanders
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he Cologne Hollanders would like to thank all of our loyal fans and supporters who helped make the 2011 season a success. The team finished with a winning record for the second straight season despite losing a first round match-up with the Hamburg Hawks. It is always great playing home games, watching fans fill the hill and enjoy their afternoons. Without your
loyalty, baseball in Cologne would not be the same. To stay connected with the team, check the team website at www.ballcharts. com/colognehollanders for any new information or upcoming events. Again, thank you for all of your support throughout the season! Kyle Evenski, Cologne Hollanders
City makes well improvements
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he City of Cologne is just complet ing repairs and improvements to Well #2. The well provides fresh drinking water from the Franconia/ Galesville Aquifer. The well was approximately 100 years old and was losing significant pumping capability. It was determined that the well casing had deteriorated, causing the pumped water to escape through these openings and reducing the pump pressure. The city ordered increased horsepower pumps along w ith new casing for the well. After working with the MN Department of Health verifying that the old well was cleaned out to its original depth of 650 feet, from
t he current 425 feet, the city was author i z e d to proceed w it h t he new well improvements. The $60,000 improvements are being done by Mineral Service Plus, LLC. Well #2 is critical to the City’s water supply as it uses the Franconia/Galesville Aquifer while Well #3 uses the highly regulated Mt. Simon Aquifer. Department of Nat u ra l Resou rces requires the City to use a combination of the aquifers for its water supply.
City receives safety recognition
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he City of Cologne re c ent l y re c ei v e d recognition from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for participating in the West Carver Regional Safety Group. The new safety group, made up of cities in Western Carver County, provide for regular high-quality safety training in the areas of confined space, blood borne pathogens, right-to-know and other general OSHA requirements. While the City of Cologne has a good safety record, it is imperative for workers and public safety to remain up to date and efficient in safe practices.
he Cologne Lions Club is sponsoring a community event to do just that. Please join Lions members and your friends and neighbors on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 1 p.m. until done, for an opportunity to make greeting cards that will be mailed to overseas soldiers for their use to send the greeting cards home to their families and friends. This event will be held at the Cologne Community Center. The cards will be distributed through Scrapping for Soldiers. Please see their website w w w.scrappingforsoldiers.com for further information regarding this local organization. Girl Scout Troop 41221 will be accepting donations for care packages. A preferred list of donation items is
available on line at www. scrappingforsoldiers.com. The care packages will be sent to local soldiers and will include some of our homemade cards. Know of a local soldier serving our country? Please contact Paula at 952-4665776 or send an email to tellersp@yahoo.com with name and address so that a care package can be sent to the service member. Want to help? Join us to assist with card making and packaging on November 5. Card kits will be ready to go and no crafting experience is needed. Donations for postage, care packages and cost of card supplies will be accepted on Nov. 5 or in advance by making contact with Paula at 952-466-5776 or tellersp@yahoo.com.
Community Calendar Fri. & Sat., Oct. 28, 29
Fri., Nov. 11
Cologne Academy Scrappy Campers card
All Area Vets invited Community Center Hosted by Cologne Academy 2:35 p.m.
Veterans Day Program
making event Cologne Academy lunchroom
Mon., Nov. 14 Fri., Oct. 28
MNDoT Hwy 212/284/CR 53 Open House
Trunk or Treat Zion Lutheran Church Parking Lot
5:30-7 p.m., Community Center
Sat., Oct. 29
Thurs., Dec. 1
Cologne Lions Octoberfest Costume Halloween Party
Cologne Academy Literacy Night/Scholastic Book Fair Cologne Community Center 5-8 p.m.
Community Center 7-11 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 4 Oct. 23
Breakfast with Santa 9 a.m. to Noon, St. Bernards Hosted by Cologne Lions
Open Gym Starting Sun. 3-7 p.m., Wed. 7-9 p.m. $1, no street shoes
Sat., Dec. 24
Update: City building activity
November
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Sat., Nov. 5
en new home permits have been issued in Cologne through September of 2011. In addition, the Cologne Academy has been issued a footing/foundation permit to begin its third-phase addition. The 13,000 sq.-ft. addition will be completed in 2012 in time for the 2012-2013 school year. An 8,000 sq.-ft. planned fourth addition is expected to begin in the fall of 2012 for a 2013 completion.
Cologne Academy cookie dough sales Contact PAVE@ cologneacademy.org to make purchase
Hosted by Cologne Lions Community Center
Mon., Nov. 7 Zion Annual Soup & Pie/ Craft & Bake Sale
Seasonal Reminders:
High Speed Internet Starting at
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Features: • No phone line needed! • Live and Local Customer Service! • Free email accounts! • No installation cost with 12 month contract!
Serving Residents in Cologne Hamburg Mayer New Germany Norwood Young America Benton Township Camden Township Dahlgren Township Hancock Township San Francisco Township Waconia Township Watertown Township Young America Township
Register Now at www.cologne-isp.net or Call (952) 466-2184
Snowfall – All vehicles/trailers need to be off the public streets after a 2-inch snowfall. Please allow public works staff to clear the roads. Tickets will be issued Do not shovel/blow snow into the streets. Check your mail boxes –Mailboxes need to be straightened up and not hanging over into the street. City Compost Pile – Located at Louis Street West, for City resident use only.
Opening late November/ early December as weather permits 304 W Louis St.
24 hr. Fitness Center Get a head start on the holiday calories!
• Wedding Receptions • Graduation • Baby & Bridal Showers • Family & Class Reunions • Community Functions
Carver County Heatshare – Call 651-322-3510, for heating assistance information.
Super Sound System
Notify City of Vacated Homes – City Public Works will shut off utilities to prevent winter damage.
Recreation
COMMUNITY CENTER
Pet Owners – Pets are to be licensed and leashed, all animal waste should be picked up by owner. Respect your neighbors … know where your animal is going.
Mortgage Counseling – Call 952-4487715, ext. 3, for information, or visit www.countyadvisor.org.
Zion Lutheran Church 7:30 p.m.
Ice Rink/Warming house
Cards for Soldiers
Zion Lutheran Church 4-8 p.m.
Christmas Eve Worship Service by Zion Students
Seating for 400
Variable Lighting Dance Floor Serving Kitchen Community Room
952-466-2064 www.ci.cologne.mn.us 1211 Village Parkway • Cologne, MN