Chameleon Theatre Circle is taking audiences back in time with ‘1940s Radio Hour.’ See Thisweekend Page 7A
A NEWS OPINION SPORTS
Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville DECEMBER 3, 2010
VOLUME 31, NO. 40
www.thisweeklive.com
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Opinion/6A
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Public Notices/16A
‘Everything is on the table’ Lakeville schools looking at $15.8 million budget shortfall by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The next two years in the Lakeville school district could usher in a new era of austerity. “We have to determine what the ‘new normal’ is,” said school board chairwoman Judy Keliher. Board member Roz Peterson echoed the idea of comprehensive assessment. “I think everything is on the table,” she said. The district is looking at $15.8 million in budget adjustments for the next two
Alternatives to layoffs on deck
Photo by Rick Orndorf
A visit with Santa is among the many activities at the Holiday on Main in downtown Lakeville this Saturday, Dec. 4. There is something for every member of your family.
Christmas comes to downtown Lakeville
Proposal expected today in council packet information by Laura Adelmann THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Holiday on Main to offer a variety of fun activities while promoting the district by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
There was a time not that long ago when Lakeville was a much smaller town whose activities centered on a downtown that dated back to the 19th century. As Lakeville became a fast-growing suburb and decentralized its retail offerings, its downtown has become even more impor-
tant as the apex of community, albeit one which people sometimes need a nudge with which to connect. Decked out in holiday decorations, this Saturday, Dec. 4, the Downtown Lakeville Business Association (DLBA) will offer that nudge, the 14th annual Holiday on Main along Holyoke Avenue.
Replete with Santa, musical performances, activities for children, chances to shop for gifts and donation opportunities, Holiday on Main provides a way for the disparate neighborhoods of Lakeville to come together and bask in the underlying sense of community the city offers. “This will be a huge festival to celebrate the holi-
years. Voters in the district voted last month in favor of maintaining an existing operating levy, but voted against an additional levy and a technology levy. It will mean many changes in the district, but district officials have foreseen this moment. “We are pleased to say we have no surprises,” said Mark Klett, director of Business Services, “but we are not pleased to see the numbers.” Board member Michelle See Shortfall, 9A
days,” said Judy Tschumper, executive director of the DLBA. “The whole goal is to promote downtown Lakeville.”
What to do From Santa and face painting to horse-drawn trolley rides and a live reindeer, there are activities for everyone in your family, reSee Christmas, 9A
Monday night is likely to be the final 2011 budget negotiation between City Administrator Peter Herlofsky and Farmington City Council members. Although on Nov. 22 City Council members again directed Herlofsky to lay off a senior staff member, he said late Tuesday that he plans to propose more alternatives for the council to consider. “My objective is still to keep from having to lay someone off,” Herlofsky said.
Asked if he would propose a position to be eliminated, Herlofsky would not directly answer. Instead, he said, among the options he will propose are ones the council had requested. “Right now, I’m still working on issues and numbers,” Herlofsky said. Wednesday morning, Herlofsky announced there will be a closed session of the board at 6:30 p.m. to discuss labor relations. Informed of Herlofsky’s intention to propose options Monday night, counSee Layoffs, 9A
Location, location, location Utility fees could increase Real estate guru Ratzlaff LaBeau prepares to use life experience, business expertise to guide her on the city council
Lakeville city officials say necessary maintenance projects, increased electric rates are the cause by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Quarterly utility rates in Lakeville could increase between $3 and $4.60 because of necessary major maintenance projects and increased fees from service providers, city officials say. The water operations need some major maintenance work, said city finance director Dennis Feller at a recent City Council work session. Among these projects is the rehabilitation of Well No. 15, painting of the Fairfield water tower and the replacement of a high-performance pump at the water treatment facility. These would cost about $806,000. Feller said construction of water infrastructure such as wells, towers and water treatment are financed with water connection charges collected at the time building permits are issued.
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Because there has been a significant decrease in housing construction, there has been a related decrease in water connection revenue. “Providing safe water to our residents and businesses is considered amongst the highest priorities of our residents,” Feller said. Metropolitan Council Environmental Services is in charge of sewage treatment for the entire metro area. It will increase its rates 3.2 percent in 2011. The city maintains more than 250 miles of sewer main and 24 lift stations. Over the next several years, the city will reline some major sewer lines. The Met Council increase and the maintenance costs were a catalyst for Feller’s staff to recommend an increase in fees for sanitary sewer. As for street lights, Dakota Electric implemented rate increases effective July 1 of this year, Feller said. The new rate led his staff to recommend the City Council increase street light fees in 2011 by 90 cents to $7.65 per residential account to See Fees, 9A
by Aaron Vehling
was never something that interested her, she said. In fact, had she not missed a certain meeting, she may not even be poised to take a seat on the council.
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Colleen Ratzlaff LaBeau’s office is decked out with an alternating series of family photos and scores of awards and honors for success in the real estate business. But perhaps the greatest testament to her acumen in that field is the pile of work orders on her desk, and the fact that two years after so many real estate firms imploded, her business is still standing. The burst of the bubble did not hit her as hard as others, she said, because she did not “put all her eggs in one basket.” Her businesses cover various aspects of real estate to adjust to market conditions. Now Ratzlaff LaBeau is entering a new phase in her life: city politics. She was elected last month as one of Lakeville’s two newest city council members who will start in January. That word, “politics,” does not sit well with her, though. “I don’t like politics,” she said, characterizing herself as a “common sense” type
Foundations
Photo by Aaron Vehling
Colleen Ratzlaff LaBeau will join the Lakeville City Council in January. She said she wants to help bolster the representation of business interests on the council. of person who finds no comfort in political careerism. To be sure, as a member of a legislative committee with the Minnesota Asso-
It was the mid-1980s. Barely out of high school, the Farmingtonraised Ratzlaff LaBeau was a retail manager with a steadfast work ethic. She was putting in about 60 hours a week managing multiple stores in the south metro for a small but respectable wage. As a child of a single-motherhome (her parents were divorced), Ratzlaff LaBeau said she had to start work young. So those kind of hours were no bother. “I’ve always worked,” she said. “I get pleasure out of work.” Her father, Jim Stanton, is a real estate developer in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Visits with him during her youthful years built within her a strong foundation for an acute interest in all things real estate.
ciation of Realtors for two decades, Ratzlaff LaBeau had certainly swum in the waters of public policy and governance; but politics as an arena of competing egos See Location, 9A
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