INSIDESS E BUSIN Included
Section Special sue in this is
A
The ‘Elvis Hypnotist’ is coming to the Apple Valley American Legion. See Thisweekend Page 12A
NEWS OPINION SPORTS
Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville MARCH 25, 2011
VOLUME 32, NO. 4
www.thisweeklive.com
Messages/2A
Opinion/4A
Announcements/5A
Sports/6A
Classifieds/7A
Public Notices/10A
Citizenry grows, becomes more diverse Increased population may result in more federal funds, a redrawn 2nd Congressional District by Tad Johnson
Thisweek’s cities grow
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
If Dakota County grows at the same rate as it has the past 10 years, it might overtake Ramsey County as the second most populous county in Minnesota ‌ in 20 years. That’s a big if as it would mean Dakota County will continue to add an averOver the past 10 years, age of 4,264 people each year as it did in the 2000s, Dakota County’s populawhich saw a housing boom tion has grown by 11.98 percent, according to 2010 through much of it.
The six cities in the Thisweek Newspapers coverage area accounted for 77.60 percent of the county’s population gain from 2000 to 2010. The six cities also increased the share of the county’s population they contain, which grew slightly from 67.27 to 68.38 percent.
CENSUS 2010
City Eagan Burnsville Lakeville Apple Valley Rosemount Farmington Total Dakota County
2010 64,206 60,306 55,954 49,084 21,874 21,086 272,510 398,552
2000 Change % Chg. 63,557 649 1.02 60,220 86 0.1 43,128 12,826 29.73 45,527 3,557 7.8 14,619 7,255 49.62 12,365 8,721 70.52 239,416 33,094 13.82 355,904 42,648 11.98
Source: U.S. Census
U.S. Census data released last week. The county added 42,648 residents, which was the highest growth number of any county in Minnesota, pushing its total to 398,552. Ramsey County’s population slipped 0.5 percent
City officials address communication issues THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
with information, and is hesitant to say the sky is falling until all facts are available to provide correct information. Discussion also included reviewing the council members’ money-saving ideas, and strategies for dealing with upcoming budget challenges. One of those ideas is to seek salary concessions from some department heads, including Herlofsky. Although the idea was mentioned at the retreat, it was not discussed. Under Herlofsky’s contract, a reduction of salary or other financial benefits is deemed to be a termination. The City Council was to conduct Herlofsky’s annual performance review in a closed session during its March 21 meeting, but it was postponed because Council Member Terry Donnelly was unable to attend. Due to other members’ schedules, the review will be April 18. To help improve communications and establish a more interactive budget process, the council agreed to meet with department heads this spring.
Farmington’s typically cheerful, joke-cracking Mayor Todd Larson was direct and serious at a March 14 retreat between council members and city staff. Just minutes after the retreat began, Larson focused on City Administrator Peter Herlofsky. Saying he wants unfiltered information, Larson asked Herlofsky if he had directed staff to rewrite memos to the council to change wording and sometimes alter the meaning of the information. Herlofsky said he has directed some memos be changed, only so the most accurate information was provided. But Larson called it “censored information,� and said some city staff told to him they have problems with Herlofsky changing the information. Herlofsky asked for the identities of staff who had complained, but Larson refused. He said, “They aren’t comfortable with you knowing who they are.� “We can’t ever resolve it then,� Herlofsky said. He added that he doesn’t Laura Adelmann is at laura. want to overload the council adelmann@ecm-inc.com.
The Lakeville School Board will discuss outgoing Superintendent Gary Amoroso’s retirement package at its Study Session April 5. As it stands, Amoroso’s retirement package, per the contract, is $361,572. About $92,000 of this is severance, about $91,000 is unused sick leave, about $163,000 is for medical insurance and about $15,000 is dental insurance. The primary point of discussion seems to be cenGeneral 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
tered on the severance provision. At the School Board’s March 22 meeting, the issue of Amoroso’s retirement was part of the consent agenda, which is a list of routine matters not deemed to require discussion. Amoroso will take the leadership role at the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA). Board Member Bob Erickson asked to pull the item out of the consent agenda and address it publicly.
Photo by Rick Orndorf
!""'! !
$
E-mail Aaron Vehling at aaron. vehling@ecm-inc.com.
&
another superintendent’s contract with the same language,� he said. On the heels of almost $16 million in budget adjustments, the general sentiment at the School Board meeting was a concern that the Board needed to discuss the severance issue further. So the April 5 meeting, which will also see discussions about boundary changes, will play host to the severance discussion.
!""
Between 2000 and 2010, Farmington’s population increased by 70.5 percent, rising from 12,365 to 21,086 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. That is the fastest rate of growth for any city in Dakota County. See Farmington, 6A
Lakeville grew larger, more diverse over the past decade City also added more senior citizens, greater economic power by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Ask someone who has been around Lakeville for awhile and that person will tell you that things have changed over the years. Since 2000, Lakeville has significantly come into See Lakevlle, 11A
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Lakeville South’s Alex Richter attempts a shot during the Cougars’ 79-75 loss in the opening round of the state tournament Wednesday. The Lakeville North girls basketball team placed third in the Girls Class 4A State Tournament with wins over Anoka and White Bear Lake. The team lost to Eden Prairie in its semifinal game. Rachel Banham (left) was named the AP Player of the Year after the tournament. For stories and more photos, see Sports and www.ThisweeekLive.com.
He said his primary concern was the severance compensation. Erickson, whose career for 30 years was as a city administrator for several municipalities including Lakeville, said that in his experience suggests severance is usually given when someone is discharged and not when he or she retires. The wording in the contract has changed over the past decade, Erickson said, to the extent that he is a bit shocked the severance provision is in there. “I wouldn’t approve
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
by Laura Adelmann
Lakeville superintendent set to receive $360,000 package THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
by Laura Adelmann
Protecting the classroom remains a board goal
Amoroso’s retirement to be discussed by Aaron Vehling
City became more diverse during that time
Farmington school staff, board struggle with budget, changes
Lakeville teams vie at state
Mayor questions memo editing by Laura Adelmann
from 2000 to 508,640 in 2010. Scott County added the second most residents in the past 10 years – 40,430 to account for by far the largest percentage gain of any of the state’s counties See Census, 3A
Farmington’s population grew 70 percent in 10 years
budget cycle because the district faces a transition year with “huge upheaval.� Board Member Julie McKnight strongly objected to the option, citing concerns about the effect on staff. “I think what we’ve done to this district so far is terribly disruptive, and I don’t think it’s going to get better,� she said. McKnight also referred to the resignation of Linda Goers, the district’s human resources director. Goers informed Lee last week that she accepted a position with St. Paul schools. McKnight was worried there would be more resignations to come. Board Member Brian Trekle said he asked Lee to raise that option, but said he changed his mind, and the board needs to avoid tearing positions apart now. Instead, he said the district needs to stabilize. “Parents are out there wondering what the heck is going on with this district,� Trekle said, calling it the wrong time to look at consolidation. While the budget recommendation is to cut teachers and increase class size by an average of one student for K-12, all board members indicated they wanted to protect the classroom. Lee said it is premature to talk about cutting teachers. “That is the last option I’d like to have on this budget,� she said. All board members agreed the district should work with other districts or the city to save money. Discussions to move district offices into Farmington City Hall is a strong possibility, and discussions are underway about a rental agreement option. Officials on both sides have publicly praised the idea, indicating such an arrangement would be mutually beneficial.
Farmington School Board members are concerned about protecting the classroom as they struggle to make budget cuts that could reach as high as $2.4 million. The board’s current target for making cuts is $1.3 million, but an option to implement some recommendations of the Baker-Tilly accounting firm’s study may be considered and raise the ultimate target amount. Cuts could help address the 2013 budget, when the district won’t have anything left from its original $1.3 million federal stimulus allocation. This is used up in the current proposal to fill an $800,000 hole in the 2012 budget. Affecting the budget decision is the surprise resignation of Superintendent Brad Meeks, which has caused some strife within the district, according to comments some district employees made during the board’s March 14 meeting. Farmington School Board members listened for over an hour to impassioned pleas from district staff against a budget proposal to reduce teaching and learning areas, and some also tearfully praised Meeks, lamenting his leaving. At Monday’s budget meeting, Board Member Tim Burke questioned why the budget didn’t include money Meeks is entitled, according to his separation agreement with the district. The issue created tension, and Board Member Julie Singewald said those costs won’t be fully known until the board determines how it will move forward in hiring Meek’s replacement. Board Chair Tera Lee’s suggestion to combine the superintendent, assistant superintendent and the director of teaching and learning into two positions also concerned among some board members. Singewald said discus- Laura Adelmann is at laura. sions should take place next adelmann@ecm-inc.com.
! "#
! ! " # $%
& %' !$( ) ## ' *