Council insists on commercial space near City Hall
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
LINO LAKES —
The City Council would like to wait for a developer who will commit to a commercial component on the 6.27 acres the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) owns near City Hall.
The EDA has received a letter of intent from Roers Companies to purchase property in the Legacy at Woods Edge Development. Roers Companies is a national real estate development firm based in the Twin Cities. Its focus is on multifamily residential developments and it generally collaborates with partners on commercial components.
Community Development Director Michael Grochala shared that Roers has multiple successful projects throughout the Twin Cities region, including the recently opened Lexi Apartments in Blaine.
The Woods Edge project would include a marketrate multifamily building with opportunities for commercial development on a portion of the property.
The EDA continues its negotiations with Roers, but the developer has expressed concern with a condition of the sale, which would require that a commercial component be constructed before or in conjunction with a multifamily building.
“We really like this site,” said Andy Bollig, of Roers. “We have had a lot of success in cities like Lino Lakes.”
Bollig explained that they are experts when it comes to multifamily housing, but they rely on partners for commercial or retail. Ideally, he said the plan would include retail, specifically a restaurant. He said there might be an opportunity for a future public improvement of some kind like a splash pad.
“We would love to discuss this further and understand how we can get a project going here that meets both of our needs,” Bollig said.
Council Member Michael Ruhland said the commercial component was “nonnegotiable.” “In the past, (developers) couldn’t make the commercial component happen and we decided to pass. I’m still at that point.”
Council Member Christopher Lyden would rather see the property used as an extension of the Rookery Activity Center. “We put a serious investment in the Rookery. It has a community focus, and we want that to be successful. I’m looking for that land to be used to foster even more growth as far as really a community gathering emphasis,” he said. He suggested a splash pad, batting cages, escape room, rope course, rock climbing, volleyball courts, laser tag, etc.
SEE CITY COUNCIL , PAGE 5
A legacy of service: Couple reflects on volunteering
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Volunteers like Lyle and Karen Bye don’t come around every day.
The Byes, of Lino Lakes, have dedicated over two decades of their lives to the city’s Public Safety Department.
It all started in 1998 when the two began baking cookies for officers around Christmas.
“It just blew up from there,” Karen recalled. Lyle added, “We both had a heart for the police. They were looking for volunteers to do things, and we just became one of them.”
The Byes knew they wanted to volunteer their time locally. It started out by participating in a Citizens Academy, which they would do more than once, and eventually, Lyle said it “blossomed into other things.”
SEE DECADES OF DEDICATION, PAGE 2
Fields of Gold
Enjoy over 20,000 blooms spreading down the hill like liquid sunshine at Waldoch Farm’s Sunflower Festival in Lino Lakes. The flowers will be in bloom through Sunday, Sept. 15. For more information, visit https://waldochfarm.com/pages/adventure-farm-sunflowers.
Lyle and Karen Bye, of Lino Lakes, have volunteered for the police department for over two decades.
DECADES OF DEDICATION : Lino Lakes residents honored for years of service
CONTRIBUTED
Over the years,
who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 5, 2006. She has also commemorated Recon with a cross-stitched piece.
CALENDAR BRIEF
Christos
Center hosts
Sound of Silence retreat
Christos Center for Spiritual Formation will host The Sound of Silence — A Tending the Soul Retreat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.
For some, silence is not a welcome experience. In fact, it can be downright scary. We’re bombarded with sounds and
The two were involved in the Public Safety Citizens Commission for several years before it ceased to exist. As members of the commission and residents of Lino Lakes, they were able to provide input on the department and were even involved in interviewing potential officers and selecting candidates.
“That was a lot of fun,” Lyle recalled.
Lyle and Karen went on to become members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness and trains them in disaster response skills when it comes to fire safety, search and rescue, team organization, medical operations and more.
It has been a while since the two were actively involved in that group, however, as it has become more difficult as they have aged. Lyle, 75, and Karen, 76, have both had their fair share of medical issues to deal with lately.
“The older I got, the more I realized that I would not be an asset to a search team. I could go and trample through the woods, but I couldn’t carry anybody out,” Lyle explained. “I used to be one of the strongest guys on the team; now, I’m not even close.”
As a member of CERT, Karen also served as a representative in Volunteers in Public Service (VIPS), an organization that raised money for various projects such as the Explorers program.
The two were also instrumental in securing the department’s first K-9, Recon, a German shepherd who served the department for nine years. The two attended several K-9 trials to cheer him on.
It was also not uncommon for them to attend Night to Unite events, and Lyle volunteered at the department’s first Breakfast with Santa event. Karen was known as the “cookie mom.” For several years, Karen would keep track of the officers in the department and give each of them a small stocking with their names on it. Lyle would bake cookies, Karen would taste test them, and they would drop them off at the department in time for the holidays.
“Karen was known as the ‘cookie mom,’ but I cooked most of the cookies,” Lyle laughed. “It got
images almost every waking moment. In 1964, the hit song “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel was recorded. This was a pivotal time in our nation’s history.
During the retreat, attendees will learn to safely ease themselves into silent places. They will confront their fears around silence, and start seeing
it as a friend, not a foe. The day will consist of short talks with periods and spaces for silent reflection.
To register, visit www. christoscenter.org/all-events/ sound-of-silence. Registration closes at noon on Thursday, Sept. 12.
to be making 130, 140 dozen cookies of eight to 10 different kinds …”
Over the years, Karen also used her cross-stitch talents to make a piece in honor of Officer Shawn Silvera, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 5, 2006. She has also commemorated Recon with a cross-stitched piece.
Both have fond memories of doing ride-alongs with officers. Lyle recalled one officer who arrested four felons on one night shift. “He took them to jail, and we would go and get the next one,” Lyle recalled.
The one thing that kept the couple involved with the department for so many years was the camaraderie with the officers. “We loved the friendships. The whole unit became our kids,” Karen explained.
They were recently honored for their volunteerism at a city council meeting.
Now that they have “retired,” they are both staying busy.
“We are busy taking care of ourselves because we both have some medical issues,” Lyle explained.
He stays busy with his woodworking/woodturning, while Karen stays busy with her cross-stitching and genealogy.
Public Safety Department Deputy Director Kyle Leibel said, “Lyle and Karen Bye were among our agency’s earliest volunteers who quickly became like family to us. From the beginning, the Byes clearly understood the value in a strong partnership between a police department and their community.
“Throughout their time serving in a variety of volunteer roles,” he continued, “the Byes offered perspective, guidance and support to our organization and to the Lino Lakes community.”
He added, “Looking back, the Byes were among the most active volunteers of our agency’s past who helped steer our organization to where we are today, and we’re forever grateful for their strong contributions.”
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
BUSINESS BRIEF
Evergreen partners with Save the Boundary Waters
Evergreen’s third apparel launch is set to happen Oct. 4. One of the highlights of this launch will be a Boundary Waters hoodie, a collaboration with Save the Boundary Waters.
“Our goal with this collaboration is to raise awareness about the devastating proposed sulfate copper mining in Ely, Minnesota,” said Evergreen owner Lucas Chong. “We hope to shed light on this critical issue through our platform and product.”
Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW), which leads the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, was formed in 1996 to continue working to protect the Boundary Waters and other wild places against ever-increasing public and commercial pressures so that the area’s wild character remains intact for future generations. In September 2013, the national coalition, called the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, was formed to create a national movement to protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore copper mining. It is led and funded by NMW.
Chong, a senior at Centennial High School, launched the clothing brand Evergreen in February to encourage youth to go outside. (See “Centennial High School student uses apparel brand for ‘head start’ into real world,” Quad Community Press, July 23.)
For more information about Evergreen, visit https://evergreenapparel.org.
Karen Bye used her cross-stitch talents to make a piece in honor of Officer Shawn Silvera,
SEPTEMBER 10,
WHAT’S HAPPENING
ONGOING EVENTS
HUGO SENIOR CLUB
When: 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16; the 3rd Monday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th St. N.
Details: Monthly meeting includes planning for future activities, followed by afternoon of games. Coffee and refreshments served.
Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
LEXINGTON FARMERS MARKET
When: 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays
Where: Lexington Municipal Liquor Store front parking lot, 9271 Lake Drive
Details: Vendors selling veggies and fruit, baked goods, Maple syrup, tea and homemade gifts.
Contact: Karen Gregory 612-272-3386 or kgregory244@ gmail.com
CURRENT EVENTS
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11
Where: St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church, 171 Elm St., Lino Lakes
Details: Make an appointment online or by phone. Contact: 800 RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org
CAREGIVER EDUCATION: CONSIDERATIONS FOR A MOVE
When: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11
Where: Zoom
Details: Learn about what to expect when moving someone with dementia and living options. Register by 10 a.m. day of event.
Contact: 651-632-5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org
USED A BIT SALE
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 & Friday, Sept. 13; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: New Life Church, 6000 148th St. N. Hugo Details: All proceeds from sale of used items go to local charities.
Contact: newlifehugo.org
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTER’S MEETING: “LOCAL NEWS AND IT’S IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY”
When: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12
Where: Maplewood Library Community Room, 3025 Southlawn Drive.
Details: Presentation on a study done in Washington state about the impact of community newspapers and community engagement in elections, and the consequences for democracy. Contact: lwv-wbla.org
BALD EAGLE LAKE ART CRAWL
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Locations around Bald Eagle Lake Details: Visit with a variety of artists, crafters, and musicians around the lake. Free. Contact: belartcrawl.com
WALK WITH THE ANIMALS 2024
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Lent Town Hall, 33155 Heningway Ave., Stacy
Details: Northwoods Humane Society fundraiser with 1.5 mile walk, bake sale, raffle, dog and cat nailtrimming, dog activity zone, face painting, and other activities for pets and humans. Food, pet supplies and gear for sale.
Contact: 651-982-0240 or northwoodshs.org/walk-withthe-animals-2024
A NIGHT OF MAGIC
When: 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Pedersen Pavilion, 5524 Upper 146th St., Hugo Details: First fundraiser for the Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center. Ticket includes social hour, entertainment by Karl Achilles-Marvels of Magic, dinner, wine and beer, and raffle. Contact: hopkinsschoolhouse.org
LEARN TO STAND UP PADDLEBOARD
When: 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve
North Suburban Neighbor’s Club Cookies and Conversation
When: 10-11:55 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12
Where: Shoreview Community Center Fireside Lounge, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Non-profit friendship group for older women in the suburbs invites prospective members to learn about activities. Contact: 612-616-6142 or 651-500-7793 (text only)
Church Directory
Find the church that fits your needs
Celebrate Mass with us!
Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site 14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo
Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937 761757
we’re in this together.”
We welcome you to worship with us Virtually and in Person Sunday 9:30 am Fellowship & refreshments following the service 7330 Lake Drive | 651-784-7667 admin@linolakescommunitychurch.com & directions (1 mile south of Target on Lake
Details: Instruction followed by time on the water. Registration information online. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
MOVIE IN THE PARK
When: Dusk, Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Polar Lakes Park,1280 Hammond Road, White Bear Township
Details: Bring a lawn chair or banket and bug spray and watch a free family-friendly movie outdoors. “Migration” shows on Sept. 14. See weather updates on Facebook.
Contact: facebook.com/ WhiteBearTownshipMNOfficialSite
FAT TIRE BIKING
When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve
Details: Learn about fat tire biking with equipment provided. Ages 15+. Registration information online. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
BIRD WALK
When: 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Details: Learn to identify birds with guide. Ages 10+. Registration information online. Contact: anokacountyparks.com
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
Shots Fired at Northtown Mall, No Injuries Reported
BLAINE — At approximately 3:30 p.m. Sept. 8, Blaine Police received multiple calls reporting gunshots being fired outside of one of the doors leading into Northtown Mall located at 398 Northtown Drive NE.
Officers from the cities of Blaine, Fridley, Coon Rapids, Ramsey, Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights along with deputies from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from Minnesota State Patrol responded and contained the mall.
The mall was immediately locked down and cleared for any threats. It was quickly determined that the shots were contained to the exterior of the mall and there were no injuries reported.
An adult male was detained in the area and found to be in possession of a firearm. He was transported to the Anoka County Jail and booked on unlawful possession of firearm charges.
Detectives reviewed video surveillance footage and initial evidence is supporting an altercation between two separate groups, which resulted in the shooting.
The incident remains under investigation.
OPINION
Understand the issues
In a few months we are going to elect a president and vice president of our country, as well as many senators and congressional representatives. In many ways this will be historic for our nation. I for one would like to see a nation more unified with less hate, more civilized campaigning and candidates making the issues clearer.
We will also be electing senators and representatives in local elections. There are a lot of concerns on people’s minds. Broadcast media has been remiss in not giving us all the facts, but rather political rhetoric. Many Americans have turned to social media for their information, which we must remember has nothing to hold it accountable and no ethical standards.
Big issues are at stake. here are a few, and the order I have listed them in has come from conversations from coffee table meetings, from friends in and out of politics, and my own observations as a senior.
Inflation continues to be on top as the prices have soared for groceries, gasoline, housing, insurance, interest rates and the list goes on.
Number two is border control. We have thousands of illegal immigrants who have come into this country over the last ten years. This nation has always welcomed immigrants in a legal way, but this is out of control and results in increased crime, housing shortages and unnecessary costs to government, which are paid for by our tax money.
About the Town Gene Johnson Movers & Shakers
The attempt to eliminate fossil fuels, reduced drilling and the government pushing electric cars has put an excess burden on our electrical grid. This has significantly increased the cost of electricity. The most economical way to generate electricity is by water, followed by nuclear. Coal generating comes next. Solar has limitations as wind generators deteriorate prematurely. For the present time in these experiments for electrical energy, the cost comes back to the consumer. If you move in any direction too fast, you pay the price. Putting up thousands of charging stations across the country makes no sense to me when electric cars were not intended for long distance travel. They are really for close-to-home transportation. Hybrids are doing much better in fuel economy.
We can be an independent petroleum producer and reduce costs. We can also export petroleum instead of importing. We have enough natural gas in this country in several states that would take care of us for the next couple hundred years.
Nuclear provides a very clean energy source, but we are not harvesting all of the power that we can get from nuclear because government has placed limits, and storage is an issue.
Lithium ion batteries have limits as to what can be mined. Ukraine has the largest lithium deposits in the world. Is there any wonder why Russia wants to control Ukraine?
There is more to the list and you could add or subtract. We have a growing debt of $35 trillion as a nation. We have a foreign policy of helping nations with humanitarian aid as well as military equipment and arms, which is costly. We also have other nations preparing to replace the dollar. That would impact bond sales. It’s not immediate, but don’t ignore it.
Leadership is important. Understand it. Research it. Debate it. Discuss it. And then be sure to vote.
Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.
MWe just can’t afford it
aybe some of you have heard that Anoka County staff has proposed to our County Board to vote on raising the County levy by 25% for 2025. We have had three budget work sessions and after learning the details my direction to them was to come up with a new plan because “we just cannot afford the current plan.”
I explained that the reason I know that we can’t afford the plan is because our residents can’t afford it. The reason I know why our residents can’t afford it is because they have just experienced a 21% increase in inflation over the last three years. Everything has increased in cost, every resident is feeling it, and everyone is hurting as a result of it.
Government entities, including Anoka County, cannot be blind to the reality that there is a limit to how much you can take from the people especially during tough times. Inflation occurs primarily because of government overspending. When this happens, the
incorrect solution is to spend more. People are hurting. Read the room. Last year even conservatives on our board were promoting 19% and 20% increases in our levy. I fought hard and was able to find a couple allies on our board to bring it down to 10%. Still a high increase but half of what was being proposed. This year we’ll see what happens. My direction to staff was to develop a new plan because the plan that is being proposed is just not affordable. A new plan means to drill down on every department - and not just adjust numbers so the decrease shows up next year as a deficit but to find more efficient ways to operate. We need a new plan, not just fudging of the numbers.
Jail: The proposed 25% levy increase for 2025 is on top of a proposal to overbuild a new jail that will cost all of you around $250 million. We are going from an inmate capacity of 180 in our current jail to a capacity of 540 inmates in the new jail. That is a 300% increase in capacity and our current jail often does not fill to capacity. The new jail is proposed to only last 25 years before we have to build another new one.
I am not against building a new jail and I understand the need to build capacity for the future, but I
do not believe we are building this jail just for Anoka County inmates. We will likely be housing fed, state and inmates from other counties. Statistics do not show that Anoka County will grow in population 300% or have an increase in crime by 300% in the next 25 years.
In addition, the city of Anoka is against this new jail because the current plan increases the footprint of the jail by over 800%. I do not support the current jail design and believe it is overbuilding and overspending as to our current and future needs for Anoka County. More to come on this topic … and by the way, I was the only one to vote NO.
My 35 years owning a business and my over 20 years as an elected official representing our area have taught me a lot. I will use this experience to work with everyone I can to run government efficiently while making sure staff have everything, they need to deliver the services needed in Anoka County.
More work to be done, but I am confident we will come up with more affordable common-sense solutions that will protect our pocketbooks while preserving our quality of life.
Jeff Reinert is the Anoka County Commissioner.
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PAID LETTER
Elliot is effective
You can always tell how effective your state representative is by how badly they get attacked during re-election from their opponent.
It’s dawning on Minnesotans that our state has gone off the rails, and Elliot Engen is fighting back – on energy policy, on education, on taxes, on spending, on criminal justice reform, on immigration, on regulation of speech
and on gender. Elliot Engen has become a fearless voice against bad policy.
The DFL called it “historic” even “unprecedented” when they spent over $18 billion in surplus and then created over $10 billion in new reoccurring taxes in the same year. Now that Gov. Tim Walz is in the national spotlight, the whole country is aghast and asking … What happened to Minnesota?
The problem is the trifecta … All three branches of government are under one party rule. They governed like they
received 100% of the vote in the last election (they actually received only 50.3%). Elections matter.
We need checks and balances in our government, and I’d like to thank to Representative Engen for working every day to hold the current administration accountable for their overreach and for working with all elected officials to achieve more common-sense policies and laws.
Elliot as a first termer in the House does not deserve the malicious attacks
CITY COUNCIL: Holds out for commercial
FROM PAGE 1
Lyden said he was not a fan of apartments being located on the site and didn’t want to see another liquor store or tobacco shop. “We can put that anywhere,” he said. Grochala explained there was still room on the Rookery site to allow for future expansion. He reminded the council that if the multifamily housing didn’t go in this location, it would need to go somewhere else.
“You are going from a project that increases the tax base substantially, pays for the infrastructure, recoups any investment that the city has into it and then has ongoing significant property tax contributions to the flip side of things, another heavily
paid-for local improvement,” Grochala said. “Park dedication fees aren’t going to pay for that improvement. You are going to have to look at an increase to the levy or a referendum.”
Mayor Rob Rafferty and Dale Stoesz said they would not be in favor of changing the commercial requirement.
“I don’t want to give up on the commercial space,” Stoesz said. “I think there is a lot of comm opportunity. We are seeing it in other parts of the city. It may take a while, but we have been sitting on this a while, so let’s wait and do it right.”
Council Member Tony Cavegn said he agreed with the need for commercial in the area.
“Commercial has always been the goal for this area. We have quite a bit of high-density housing just to the north of this,” he said. “I’m not necessarily opposed to additional high-density housing, but I don’t think that’s what we are going to fill this area with. So, unless there is a commercial aspect, I think everyone here is willing to wait at this point.”
Andy Bollig responded, “If that’s a requirement to start construction, it unfortunately won’t be us.”
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651407-1227 or quadnews@ presspubs.com.
that are coming his way. We need to repudiate this type of campaigning and support people like Elliot Engen who has a good moral compass and is working for all Minnesotans. The hateful rhetoric must stop. We need more discussion on policy and on what our elected officials have done and on what they are going to do.
LEXINGTON CITY COUNCIL SNIPPETS
• The Lexington resident who previously approached the council about replacing rubber mulch in Memorial Park is still hoping the council considers replacement. The resident pointed out that the city of Minneapolis has passed a resolution to discontinue the use of rubber mulch for health and safety reasons, specifically for the gas and chemicals it emits. Council Member Kim DeVries mentioned that Lexington has been using rubber mulch instead of wood mulch because of hazardous mold that developed when the wood mulch was wet. The council has yet to come to a decision on how to proceed.
• The Gaga Ball Pit in Memorial Park is now complete. Gaga Ball, like dodgeball, is a multiplayer game where players must try and hit opponents below the knees with a ball until only one is left standing.
• Anoka County is considering construction on Lovell Road, tentatively scheduled for 2027. No further details are available at this time.
• City Administrator Bill Petracek mentions that Lexington and AT&T are discussing building a new cell tower in Memorial Park, next to the existing cell tower. Zoning requests for the project will move forward with the council’s approval.
• The council will delay the remodel planned for the Memorial Park bathrooms, as it wishes to further clarify pricing details with MSA Consultants.
• The Council tables the Memorial Park Bathroom Remodel from MSA Consultants.
• Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution. Constitution Week runs from Sept. 17-23.
• Fall Festival is scheduled for Sept. 20-21. The event will include a car show, food, games and fireworks, with all proceeds going to the fire department and community. Boulevard Bar & Grille will host a Block Party from 4 to 6 p.m. each day of the event for businesses and the neighborhood “to come together to celebrate this great city of ours.” Visit boulevardbarlex.com for more information.
The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 at City Hall.
Shannon Granholm
Jeff Reinert Lino Lakes
CONTRIBUTED
Roers Companies has expressed interest in purchasing property in the Legacy at Woods Edge Development near City Hall.
CONTRIBUTED
• The City Council is holding strong and says it would still like to see a commercial component to any development that goes in on the 6.72 acres next to City Hall. (See full story in this week’s issue.)
• City staff is currently working with Kimley-Horn and WSB on the scope of services for the Main Street Corridor Master Plan. Community Development Director Michael Grochala explained that Kimley-Horn is a national planning and design consulting firm that offers comprehensive development services. The firm has extensive experience in master planning and Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) preparation. WSB, the city’s engineer, will be handling some of the infrastructure components of the planning process. Staff is also working to bring in a firm
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
Lightning strikes Lino home
(Rapp Strategies Inc.) to handle the public engagement process. Grochala said the project scope and professional services proposal will likely come before the council for action at its Sept. 23 meeting.
• Grochala plans to attend the White Bear Township Utility Commission this month to discuss possible water supply service. The North Oaks Company has submitted a concept plan, “Wilkinson Waters,” for the development of its property in Lino Lakes, located northwest of the Centerville/County Road J intersection. Grochala said the area lies within Sanitary Sewer District No. 4. Sanitary sewer for this area is proposed to be provided from a White Bear Township trunk line that was previously extended to the municipal limits. Water service will eventually be provided by Lino Lakes.
However, the city’s closest lines are 1.5 miles to the north of the project site. Given the city’s existing supply issues related to the White Bear Lake lawsuit, Grochala said extension of the city’s lines would be “premature.”
White Bear Township currently has agreements in place with North Oaks Development Company for water supply. Provided that capacity is available, city staff is proposing an agreement with White Bear Township to provide water to this area for an interim period.
• Java Companies will be given up to four more extensions for a total of 240 days to close on the sale of 2.24 acres located at the corner of Lake Drive and 77th Street. Grochala said if an extension was not granted, Java Companies would likely “terminate the project and walk away.”
Last September, the city entered into a purchase agreement with Java Companies for the property. Java Companies has been actively working on both adjacent land acquisition and tenant contracts to develop the site and is preparing to submit plans
WEEKLY WAG
for rezoning, preliminary plat, conditional use and site and building plan approval later this month.
Grochala explained that the review process will likely extend into November, past the extension dates provided for in the purchase agreement. Java is requesting an amendment to allow four additional 60-day extensions to the agreement. Java Companies has also requested the city construct the proposed road improvements within 10 months of the closing.
If everything goes as planned, the items will go before the Planning Commission in October and the council in November. The deal would close at the end of November or early December.
The next City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at City Hall. There will also be a work session immediately beforehand at 6 p.m. in the Community Room.
Shannon Granholm
At 6:19 p.m. Aug. 29, the Lino Lakes Public Safety Department responded to a call of a structure fire in the 6900 block of Black Duck Drive in Lino Lakes after lightning struck a home. The home was unoccupied at the time of the call, but a neighbor saw smoke coming from the home. Fire staff made entry and extinguished fire in the basement and garage.
The Lino Lakes Public Safety Department was assisted by the Centennial Fire District and the SBM Fire Department.
Cinnamon is a charming big lug and lover, and he loves to cuddle. He is only 5 months old and weighs 25 pounds, and he is going to be a big boy. Cinnamon is a Saint Bernard/ German shepherd mix. He is sweet, affectionate and fun, and he likes to play. Cinnamon is social with other dogs and friendly to everyone he meets. He is house-trained, leash-trained and crate-trained, although he doesn’t like to be alone. Cinnamon is eager to please and prefers being
with his people and being part of the family. Cinnamon originally arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from a reservation. He was fostered in Duluth and then adopted by a couple in the Twin Cities area. They changed his name to Luca. Although they loved him, Luca had more energy and needed more attention than they were able to provide, so Luca was returned to Ruff Start Rescue and is available for adoption again.
If you are interested in learning more about Cinnamon/Luca or adopting him, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue. org.
the Press is a tribute to the Quad Community’s best–from Arts & Entertainment, Eating & Drinking, Health & Fitness, Local, Services, Shopping to Sports & Recreation–as voted on by readers. The winners and top two finalists in each category will be revealed in October. Is your business
The North Oaks Company has submitted a concept plan, “Wilkinson Waters,” for the development of its property in Lino Lakes, located northwest of the Centerville/County Road J intersection.
The Centennial Lakes Police Department report the following incidents:
• Police responded to the intersection of Lake Drive and Point Cross in Circle Pines Aug. 21 for a personal injury crash.
• Police received a phone call Aug. 21 from the 9400 block of Griggs Ave in Lexington regarding a hacking incident.
• Officers received a phone call Aug. 21 from near the intersection of Main Street and 20th Avenue in Centerville regarding suspicious activity. When they arrived, officers found no issues.
• Officers observed a suspicious vehicle in the 0 block of Firebarn Road in Lexington Aug. 22. No issues were found.
• Officers responded to a report of a dog running at large Aug. 22 in the 1800 block of Main Street in Centerville.
• Officers responded to a report of a bicycle theft Aug. 22 in the 4100 block of Woodland Road in Lexington.
• Police responded to a report of a violation of a no-contact order Aug. 23 in the 1900 block of 72nd Street in Centerville.
• Officers were dispatched Aug. 24 to the 3800 block of Patriot Lane in Lexington on a report of a missing person who has been gone for about an hour. The party returned home later.
• Police received a phone call about a theft that had occurred Aug. 26 in the 9000 block of Jackson Avenue in Lexington.
• Officers received a trespassing complaint Aug. 26 in the 800 block of Village Parkway in Circle Pines.
• Police responded to a theft in progress Aug. 26 in the 9000 block of Lexington Avenue in Lexington.
• Police took a delayed license plate theft report Aug. 27 in the 9000 block of North Highway Drive in Lexington.
• Officers received a complaint Aug. 28 from an apartment complex in the 0 block of Village Parkway in Circle Pines regarding three trespassing juveniles.
• Officers located two juveniles in the 9300 block of Lexington Avenue in Lexington Aug. 29 for committing vandalism.
• Officers responded to the intersection of Lake Drive and Village Parkway
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Aug. 29 regarding an accident. No injuries were reported.
• Officers responded to a call Aug. 29 of a trespass occurring in the 8900 block of Hamline Avenue in Lexington. The parties were gone when officers arrived.
• Officers responded to a fraud that occurred in the 3800 block of Liberty Lane in Lexington Aug. 30.
• Police documented a traffic stop at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and North Road Aug. 30 in Circle Pines.
• Police responded to the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Village Parkway in Circle Pines for juveniles out past curfew.
• Officers conducted a traffic stop Sept. 1 near the intersection of Syndicate Avenue and Flowerfield Road in Lexington. The driver was arrested.
• Officers were dispatched Sept. 2 to a business in the 1800 block of Main Street in Centerville on reports of a disorderly customer. The customer left prior to officers’ arrival. The business requested that the customer be trespassed from the location.
• Police responded to the 800 block of Civic Heights in Circle Pines Sept. 3 for a missing person report.
The Lino Lakes Police Department report the following incidents:
• An officer stopped a vehicle in the 2200 block of Main Street Aug. 27 for expired registration. The adult male driver was arrested and booked at jail on an outstanding warrant from Texas. He was also cited for expired registration.
• An officer received information of a runaway juvenile Aug. 27 in the 1000 block of Duck Court. The officer documented the incident, and the juvenile was entered as a runaway.
• An officer took a report of a dog bite that had occurred at a residence Aug. 27 in the 6600 block of Ruffed Grouse Road. The officer spoke with the parties involved and obtained the information for the report.
• An officer responded to a traffic complaint Aug. 27 occurring at a park in the 6600 block of West Shadow Lake Drive. No illegal driving was witnessed, but extra patrol was requested.
• An officer responded to a theft report Aug. 27 from a local business in the 6700 block of Hodgson Road. The
suspect was identified and advised to pay for the items. Criminal charges were not pursued at the business manager’s request.
• Officers received a report of a woman heard screaming Aug. 28 in the 7500 block of Woods Edge Boulevard. Items were reported being thrown, too. When officers arrived, it was determined that no crime had occurred, and the involved parties agreed to separate for a night.
• An officer was dispatched to the intersection of Ash Street and Holly Drive Aug. 29 for a motor vehicle accident. The officer documented the incident and the parties involved were provided with a case number. There were no injuries.
• Officers responded to a house on fire that had been struck by lightning in the 6900 block of Duck Drive on Aug. 29. Officers arrived and saw smoke coming from the roof and flames in the basement. The Lino Lakes Fire Division, assisted by Centennial First District and SBM Fire Department, responded and extinguished the fire.
• An officer took report of a theft that had occurred Aug. 39 in the 6100 block of Centerville Road. The officer identified the suspect and the stolen property was returned to the owner.
• An officer located a camper parked on a dead-end street in the 7100 block of Otter Lake Road Aug. 30. People were sleeping inside. The officer advised the people they could not sleep there, and they left.
• An officer responded to a residence in the 7200 block of Savanna Court Aug. 31 to assist a homeowner with an animal that was stuck in a window well. The animal was removed and released.
• An officer responded to a report of a gas drive-off Aug. 31 that had occurred at a gas station in the 7500 block of Lake Drive. The
investigation is ongoing.
• Officers responded to a report of a box truck parked behind a closed business Sept. 1 in the 700 block of Apollo Drive. The driver was sleeping inside the truck. Officers contacted them and determined there were no problems. The driver was instructed to leave.
• An officer responded to a noise complaint Sept. 1 from a neighborhood in the 100 block of Robinson Drive. The sounds were gunshots from nearby hunters who were hunting legally.
• An officer responded to a local senior community in the 6000 block of Blanchard Boulevard Sept. 1 on a report of a suspicious vehicle. The officer found the vehicle unoccupied. A voicemail was left for the vehicle owner.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation Sept. 1 in the 1500 block of Birch Street. The driver of the vehicle was found to be intoxicated. They were arrested and later charged with DWI.
• Officers responded to a neighborhood in the 500 block of Aqua Circle Sept. 1 on a report of people ding-dong ditching. The officers located several juveniles in the area who did not match the description of the reported suspect.
• An officer responded to a small grass fire in the ditch along Interstate 35E Sept. 2. The officer was able to put out the fire with an extinguisher and the fire department responded and confirmed all the fire was out.
• Officers responded to a two-vehicle accident that had occurred in the intersection of Main Street and Fourth Avenue Sept. 2. One driver had minor injuries and one vehicle had to be towed. One driver was cited for the incident.
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce, limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal custod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce, limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal custod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92 75
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The job requirements for the cook position would be to prepare fun family style pre-cooked breakfast, lunch, and p.m. snack, ordering food, in charge of the monthly menu, washing dishes, and ensuring the kitchen is always health department ready.
COUNTY BRIEF
Anoka County workforce groups receive Promising Practices Award
The Anoka County Job Training Center (JTC) and the Anoka County Regional Economic Development (ACRED) group have earned a Promising Practices Award from the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB) for organizing a recent successful event that had broad regional impact. The award was given for their innovative practice of hosting an economic and workforce
development summit at Bunker Hills Event Center. More than 130 businesses attended the event to engage in collective conversation and to learn about talent attraction and hiring opportunities, retention strategies focused on a diverse, equitable and accessible workforce, and the future of work.
JTC administers services to meet the needs of people in Anoka County’s community, including, but not limited to, youth, laidoff workers, seniors and unemployed and underemployed adults. It also provides business services to those in need.
New Bald Eagle Art Crawl to officially debut this weekend
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
A fun-filled day of socializing and artistic bonding is coming to neighborhoods around Bald Eagle Lake. A first-of-its-kind art crawl will be held around the lake this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The crawl will not only allow residents to look at and purchase different works by participating artists but also allow the latter to expose their work to a broad, local audience. “Art is a language of all sizes,” said Planning Committee Member Carly Ogata. “This is an opportunity for everyone who speaks it to come together and connect.”
The crawl is the brainchild of resident and fellow artist Cathlin McKenzie Larsen, who has lived in White Bear Township since 2018. Larsen said that the idea for the crawl came to her after participating in a member’s exhibition at the White Bear Center for the Arts in 2022. “I was blown away by the depth of talent on display there,” said Larsen, who, as an artist, primarily concentrates on mixing photography with acrylic painting. “I was also inspired by an artist that I knew in the Toronto area who puts on an art crawl there. With that in mind, I wanted to find people
around here who might want to do the same thing.”
According to Ogata, the crawl will feature a list of artistic mediums she describes as “everything,” including sculptures, paintings and photographs. The crawl will feature 53 individual artists, 20 of whom are from White Bear Lake. Others will be from surrounding towns, such as Vadnais Heights, Hugo, Shoreview and Lino Lakes, with one out-of-state participant from River Falls, Wisconsin. Of these 53 artists, seven homes will be included in the crawl as host sites for those participating. “It’s going to be a nice little cluster,” noted Larsen.
Two featured artists will be Susan and Wayne Parks from Buffalo, who have a unique creative approach: they build Adirondack chairs from vintage water skis. “We make our chairs primarily from White Bear Lake water skis,” said Wayne. “We like to think of White Bear and Bald Eagle Lake as the water ski capitals of the world.”
According to Ogata, recruiting artists to sign up was one she deemed a broad, open approach. “Because this is the first time we’ve ever done this, we opened it up to everyone,” said Ogata. “We went to local art fairs and spoke to artists there to see if they would be interested in being involved. It’s all a matter of them
going to our website and filling out the artist form online.”
While the crawl is still in its first year, Larsen hopes that if successful, more features could be added in the future. “Adding in more host sites will be great,” she said. “I think some live music would be fun, too, or having some food served at the boat launch.” Larsen also hopes potential future crawls will persuade more reclusive artists to engage with others. “Artists can be a little introverted about what they create,” she said. “This event can help them get out there and know it’s a safe space to engage with other artists.”
Larsen also thanked planning committee members Alyssa Boldischar, Sharon Neylon and Ogata for helping her put the crawl together. “Having the idea for the event was the easy part,” said Larsen. “This whole thing would have never gotten off the ground without them.”
Visit the event website at www.belartcrawl.com for more information on the Bald Eagle Art Crawl, as well as a map showing the host sites and areas for parking.
Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, please contact him at 651-407-1229 or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com.
SPORTS
Defending champs start over, beat Cards, lose to Blaine
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
If ever a Centennial team had a tough act to follow, it’s the 2024 Cougar football squad, coming off a state championship season with 17 of 22 starters graduated, nine of whom landed on college teams.
The Cougars opened with a 42-0 win over Coon Rapids on Aug. 30, then lost to the Blaine Bengals and their dynamic quarterback 23-13 last Friday.
“We are not really a young team, but we are inexperienced,” coach Mike Diggins said. “We have got to get better, and start doing more things right, in a hurry. We have to do a better job coaching the kids.”
One example: Isaac BelinskeStrauss, a junior who emerged as starting quarterback from among five candidates, has thrown two touchdown passes in each game but has struggled running the veer offense that his predecessor, threeyear starter Daylen Cummings, mastered.
“Isaac is just learning the position. It’s only his second year as quarterback,” Diggins said. “Daylen had been a quarterback his whole life. So that’s a lot of pressure on Isaac, but he will get better.”
One of the main coaching tasks, Diggins said, is sorting out what the players do best and finding the right roles for them.
It won’t get easier when the Cougars host Maple Grove on Friday. “They are the number one ranked team in the state, with eight Division I players,” noted Diggins.
Cougars 42, Coon Rapids 0
The Cougars opened a 35-0 halftime lead. They finished with 226 yards rushing and 70 passing, while giving up just 83 yards to the Cardinals, who
lost their next game to Osseo 49-7.
Belinske-Strauss threw only three passes but two went for touchdowns, to Kellen Binder from 10 yards and Max Johnson from 60.
Brady Haffeman carried six times for 54 yards with a five-yard touchdown. Caleb Melser carried 11 times for 46 yards and touchdowns of two and four yards. Tanner Diettrich gained 44 on three carries.
The Cougars also got a defensive touchdown on a blocked punt by Evan Just, with Aiden Evans recovering it in the end zone for the touchdown.
Blaine 23, Cougars 13
Bengal quarterback Sam Shaughnessy broke loose for a 55-yard run in the first minute, setting up a short field goal, and went on to gain 226 yards in 21 carries. He led three touchdown drives that were capped by Zach Larson scoring two touchdowns and Muizz Fowoshere the other.
“He is one of the top players in our league,” Diggins said. “We had a great game plan for him. We knew what he could do. But he still made some really nice plays.”
The Cougars scored twice on highlight-reel passes. On an 11-yard touchdown, Johnson out-jumped a Bengal safety to catch the ball at the five, turned and dashed to the end zone, giving the Cougars their lone lead, 7-6, in the first quarter. Brady Hafferman got wide open deep in the second quarter and Belinske-Strauss hit him perfectly for a 70-yard score.
Down 16-13, the Cougars had an opportunity late in the half when an interception by Just put them on the Blaine 35, but the Bengals stopped them on downs at the 15. The second half was scoreless except for a late drive by the Bengals.
This Week In SPORTS
COUGARS SCOREBOARD
SWIMMING
CROSS COUNTRY
Results last week
Cougar girls 6th of 14 teams, boys 8th of 14 teams, at Anoka
• Coming up: Friday; at Lakeville, 3:30 p.m.
FOOTBALL
Results last week
Blaine 23, Cougars 13 Record
1-1 overall, 1-1 conference
• Coming up: Friday: Maple Grove, 7 p.m.
SOCCER, BOYS
• Results last week
Champlin Park 6, Cougars 1 Maple Grove 3, Cougars 1
Armstrong 1, Cougars 0
Record
0-4-1 overall, 0-4 conference
• Coming up
Tuesday: Rogers, 7 p.m.
Thursday: Anoka, 5 p.m.
SOCCER, GIRLS
Results last week
Cougars 2, Champlin Park 0 Maple Grove 3, Cougars 2
• Record
1-3 overall, 1-1 conference
Coming up
Tuesday: Rogers, 5 p.m.
Thursday: Anoka, 7 p.m.
Results last 2 weeks
Roseville 103, Cougars 64
Blaine 97, Cougars 84
• Record 0-2 overall, 0-2 conference
Coming up
Saturday: Spring Lake Park Invitational, 1 p.m.
TENNIS
• Results last week
White Bear Lake 5, Cougars 2
Centennial 5, Andover 2
Cougars 5, South St. Paul 2 Cougars 6, Mounds Park Academy 1 Roseville 5, Cougars 2
• Record 4-5 overall, 1-1 conference
• Coming up
Tuesday: Armstrong, 4 p.m.
Wednesday: Stillwater, 4 p.m.
Thursday: Coon Rapids, 4 p.m.
Saturday: at East Ridge tournament, 8:30 a.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Results last week
Maple Grove def. Cougars 28-26, 25-19, 25-20
• Record 3-2 overall, 0-1 conference
Coming up
Monday: at Anoka, 7 p.m.
Tuesday: at Roseville, 7 p.m.
Swimmers solid in 2 meets
The Centennial swimmers lost to Blaine 97-84 on Thursday. Highlights were Kate Woelfel, senior diver, raising her school six-dive record by earning 277.65 points, Sophia Nguyen won the 50 and 100 sprints, and Lydia Hydukovich won the butterfly. “I’m so proud that the girls held their own against Blaine,” coach Brandee Gough said. “They had a clean meet with no DQ’s. You can see that all the work on technique is starting to show.” In the Edina Invitational on Saturday, Woelfel was second in diving (226,80). Nguyen placed third in breaststroke (1:12.01) and fourth in the 50 (26,08). Hydukovich was sixth in breaststroke (1:14.43) and seventh in the 100 free (59.37).
ATHLETE OF
Cougar tennis 3-2 in busy week
Centennial tennis has a 4-5 record after winning three of five matches last week. The Cougars lost to White Bear Lake 5-2, beat Andover in a conference match 5-2, then tripped South St. Paul 5-2 and Mounds Park Academy (MPA) 6-1 at a Roseville tournament before losing to the hosts 5-2. Lauren Klein, at 1-singles for the third year, won against Andover and MPA. Sophie Wynn and Ella Nelson won four straight matches at 1-doubles and Isabel Yang won three straight at 3-singles.
Caden Coppersmith, Cougar senior middle linebacker, led last year’s state champion football team in tackles and will likely do so again. “Caden is a tackling machine,” coach Mike Diggins observed, after Coppersmith made 14 tackles in a 23-13 loss to Blaine last week. Modest-sized for a Class 6A linebacker at 5-foot-9, Coppersmith nonetheless has a huge impact every game. “He is very instinctive. He knows how to find the ball,” Diggins said.
Bruce Strand
SPORTS BRIEFS
Kate Woelfel, three-time state qualifier, celebrated raising her school record in diving.
PHOTOS BY BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED Isabel Yang had a good week at No. 3 singles.
BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTED
Josh O’Shea (79) stopped Sam Shaughnessy on this third-down play but the Blaine quarterback ran for 221 yards against the Cougars.
Back to school
• The playground equipment at a number of the city’s parks — Acorn Creek, Eagle, Laurie LaMotte Memorial, Royal Meadows and Tracie Joy McBride Memorial — is in need of work. Some of the playground pieces are almost 30 years old. The Centerville City Council has set in motion a plan to substantially repair or replace the equipment in these parks, although the 2025 budget and levy is not due to be approved until the end of September. Council voted unanimously to include a one-time infusion of $100,000 from the general fund to get started on repairs to the city’s playgrounds before next year’s preliminary budget is approved next month. The proposed plan is substantially more costly than the one in the city’s capital equipment replacement plan. To address immediate safety concerns and community requests for updated equipment while balancing the feasibility of replacing $1.4 million worth of equipment in a short time, the replacement schedule has been stretched from five years in the current plan to 15 years in the revised plan. This would bring the required annual contribution from the general fund from $105,000 to $40,000. The city’s five playgrounds were installed during a 12-year spurt of development, between 1996 and 2008.
• In a preview of the 2025 preliminary budget and tax levy that is expected to be approved in September, council discussed a 4.7% expenditure increase and the overall levy increase of 7.5% at a workshop. The levy increase would be tempered by the 4.7% increase in the city’s tax capacity, leading to an approximate tax increase of 2.8% on a typical home in town. More details about next year’s budget will emerge in September.
• The Bayview Villas development, started in 2019 on LaValle Drive, is ready to be closed out, and the business of running the development about to be transferred to an elected HOA board. The process of completing punch list items has taken some time, and the new HOA will not want to start long-term business dealings burdened by unfinished business with the developer. The city is still left with $22,000 in the escrow fund, which is the money paid by the developer to ensure the work outlined and promised in the development and subdivision agreement gets done.
After repeated requests to the developer to provide follow-up care for landscaping resulted in no action, some homeowners became impatient and installed landscaping in the spring of 2024. City staff laid out a schedule to reimburse the future HOA, current residents and contractors who paid for landscaping that wasn’t provided by the developer. A check for $8,568 was slated to be sent to the future HOA for black dirt and sod; a check will be sent to the resident at 7200 LaValle Drive for riprap; a check will be sent to three LaValle Drive residents for the costs of plant replacements and payment of an amount to be determined will be sent to a contractor to replace two dead trees and four trees that were never planted. The developer would then receive a letter and the balance of the escrow amount. After Rich DeFoe, manager of the development company, Bay View Villas LLC,
appeared at the meeting to protest the action, council amended the proposal to require that $5,000 of the escrow dollars go to the future HOA, instead of the proposed $8,568. All of the other obligations remained the same.
• Because the owner of Centerville Tobacco Plus LLC, 1869 Main Street (Rashad Qawasma) is a new owner, council must approve his tobacco license as a separate agenda item and not as part of the consent agenda. The applicant is the new owner of the previously licensed business at that location (Ameer’s Tobacco). All documents have been forwarded to the Centennial Lakes Police Department for a background check. Council approved the tobacco license subject to the successful background check.
• An ordinance that recently passed hasn’t taken effect yet because the publication summary didn’t appear in the July 10 agenda packet. This item, Ordinance 137, Second Series – Replacement Chapter 157, Erosion Control Summary, appeared on council’s July 10 agenda and was passed unanimously. However, there was no summary in the packet for council to approve. Council can’t just say they approve the summary without it being in the packet, City Administrator Mark Statz said. Without the summary, the ordinance doesn’t get published in the newspaper. And without publication, the ordinance doesn’t take effect. The city attorney advised council that the summary should be presented and approved prior to publication.
• Every few years, the city must submit a pay equity report to the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget. This law was passed in 1984 and compares male-dominated jobs with female-dominated jobs to determine if pay is similar for the same level of responsibility. City staff reported that the city has once again passed the pay equity test. Following council approval, the 2023 results will be posted at City Hall and submitted to the state.
• Deanna Loomis will fill the open seat on the Parks and Recreation Committee. “The city now has two full committees (along with the Planning and Zoning Commission). Thanks to everyone for making the city great,” Statz said.
• Centerville passed a resolution proclaiming the week surrounding Sept. 17 as Constitution Week.
• As part of his administrator’s report, Statz gave a brief state primary election summary. The city processed three absentee/envelope ballots and eight direct ballots during the 46 days prior to the Aug. 13 election. On election day, election judges assisted 187 voters and registered five new voters. The turnout was very low for this election cycle; 6% of the voters registered prior to the opening of polls at 7 a.m. cast ballots.
The council next meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at City Hall, 1880 Main St.
PUBLIC NOTICE
CENTERVILLE TIDBITS
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
School is back in session. The Quad Community Press asked readers to submit their first day of school pictures.