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2020 Spring Issue3 L, o 1; 1 Vi„e 1 a:. FFWSk 'A Albertville's 19-Foot Snowman! Article Credit: MinnesotasNewCountry.com 12130119 Photo Credit: Dan -Heidi jScherer #TowneLakesFrosty When the weather gets bad, Minnesotans get creative. That's the secret to surviving our terrible winters. Winter weather is welcome in this Albertville Minnesota neighborhood. Fox 9 News shared the photo saying: "WOW: Neighbors in Albertville, Minnesota built this 19-foot snowman!" Wow is correct. This smiling snowman is huge! This guy nearly has full trees for arms and a hat that could fit over an entire family. (Thc hat is made of a frame of 2x3s and then wrapped in landscape fabric.) Attention in the neighborhood isn't all this snowman received, he has become quite the hit online too. Over 10,000 people reacted to Fox 9's post, and it has been shared over 4,000 times. If you want to see this giant snowman for yourself, he is located at the corner of Lilac Green and Towne Lakes Circle. J Mark Your Calendars! CELEBRATE THE START OF SUMMER Al ALBERTVILLE FRIENDLY CITY DAYS Wednesday, June IOth - Sunday, June 14th, 2020 Check out the website for registration forms (garage sale, softball, beanbag craft/vendor, 5k Race, Classic Car Show, etc.) AlbertvilleFtiendlyCityD ays. com Nbertville Sme111 T n living. Blg Ui CITY HALL 5959 Main Avenue NE, PO Box 9, Albertville, MN 55301 763.497.3384 1 Fax:763.497.3210 1 www.ci.albertville.mn.us CITY HALL HOURS Monday - Thursday 1 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed Daily from 12 - 12:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL Mayor, Jillian Hendrickson, Aaron Cocking, Rebecca Halling, Rob Olson PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioners' Rick Anderson, Mark Brempell, Paul Buhrmann, Ron Klecker, Walter Hudson PARKS COMMITTEE Leroy Berning, Larry Boller, Tim Guimont, Sarah Hansen, Sharon Oakvik, Andy Swanson ARENA BOARD MEMBERS Aaron Cocking, Kari Dwinnell, Kevin Kasel, Tim Lewis, Larry Sorensen, Keith Wettschreck PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 763.497.3145 1 After Hours: 763.496.6809 11822 63rd Street NE, Albertville, MN 55301 SEWER/WATER DEPARTMENT 763.497.3384 x 132 1 11728 63rd Street NE, Albertville, MN 55301 LAW ENFORCEMENT Emergency:911 1 Non-Emergency:763.682.1162 FIRE DEPARTMENT Emergency: 911 1 Non -Emergency: 763.497.3384 x107 11350 57th Street NE, Albertville, MN 55301 ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE ARENA 763.497.6749 1 www.stmaya.org 5898 Lachman Avenue NE, Albertville, MN 55301 FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS FYCC: 763.496.6820 www.m)jcc.com Crow River Senior Center: 763.497.8900 www.crowriverseniorcenter.com Great River Regional Library: 763.497.1998 1 w°ww.grivenorg Recycling: Provided by Republic Services: 952.941.5174 ISD#885 STMA Schools: 763.497.3180 1 www.stma.k12.mn.us ISD#728 Elk River Schools: 763.241.3400 1 www.isd728.org Post Office: 1.800.275.8777 1 www.usps.com Wright County Government Center: 763.682.3900 1 co.wright.lnn.us FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES V For advertising opportunities, call 763-551-3706 RIME' or email Community@PrimeAdvertising.com A o E a T s o E s PrinteAdvertising.com O Copyright 2020. City of Albertville and Prime Advertising & Design, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. This publication is a community service and the City of Albertville and Prime Advertising 8 Design, Inc. do not make any warranty of any kind with regard to the services or products of the advertisers herein. The City of Albertville and Prime Advertising & Design, Inc. do not assume any responsibility or liability for any of the content within this publication and for any errors or omissions to such content and reserve the right to not publish any material. The costs of the publication are offset by the advertisers. Prime Advertising 9 Design, Inc. Is in control of the advertising content of this publication. City Meeting Calendar • CITY COUNCIL MEETING Held the first and third Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m. (Second February meeting will be held on Tuesday instead due to holidays) • PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING Held the fourth Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m. • PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Held the second Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. • ARENA BOARD MEETING Held the 2nd Monday of the month; 6:00 p.m I'CE of Albertville 6050 LaBeaux Avenue NE, Albertville 763-497-4211 1 acehardware.com p� t IIII -- WE CARRYALL THE BEST BRANDS in outdoor power equipment and bar-b-que grills i po-eir dn—"64=7dei V Equipment Big Green Egg III '` " TRAEGER NOW SEEKING PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS! The City of Albertville is now accepting applications for the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is an advisory board to the Albertville City Council. The group of five members meets once a month, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. WHAT DOES THE PLANNING COMMISSION DO? The commission helps advise the City Council on planning the city. From looking at the comprehensive plan of the city, planning and zoning regulations, and land use plans, the members are able to conduct public hearings and hear from residents before voting and making a recommendation to the Council. Past projects have included discussion of city business regulations, sign code updates and re -zoning requests. Planning Commission terms are four (4) years, so appointments made this year will expire December 31, 2023. Regular meeting attendance is expected by all members. HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION? Please submit a letter of interest in becoming a member explaining why you are interested, any relevant experience and your history in the community. Review of letters of interest and interviews are tentatively planned for March 2020.Official appointment to the Planning Commission will then be made by the City Council. Please submit your letter of interest to: City of Albertville Attn: City Clerk 5959 Main Avenue NE, Albertville, MN 55301 Census Workers Needed! Apply at 2020census.gov/jobs GET A JOB THAT COUNTS! STARTING AT $22.00 PER HOUR IN WRIGHT COUNTY. #2020CENSUS #WECOUNTMN Minnesota needs 7,500 census workers this year. The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring for a range of temporary, flexible jobs that make a difference in every community. The 2020 Census determines how more than a trillion dollars are spent locally for schools, roads, hospitals and much more. That means you could earn extra income while shaping your community's future. Are You Prepared for the 2020 Elections? 7 '( One of the most important ways to express your choices of leadership and ideas is through voting, and this is an important year for these decisions. Make sure you understand the basics and any recent changes before casting your ballot this election season. MAKE SURE YOU'RE REGISTERED To determine if you're eligible to vote, register to vote, or update your registration, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State website at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterRegistration. Paper applications may also be obtained at Albertville City Hall. Take note of these pre -registration deadlines: • Presidential Nominating Primary — February 11 • Primary Election —July 21 • General Election — October 13 You can register to vote at your polling place on election day by bringing proof of residence from the list at sos. state.mn.us/ elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-election-day WHERE TO VOTE IN ALBERTVILLE Albertville has added a second voting precinct this year. City Hall approved the change to comply with local and state recommendations and to help reduce wait times. Residents south of I-94 and west of County Road 19 will vote at Precinct 1: St. Michael -Albertville Middle School West Gymnasium 11343 50th St. NE Residents north of I-94 and those south of 1-94 but east of County Road 19 will now vote at Precinct 2: St. Albert's Parish Center 11400 57th St. NE VOTE! Due to a change in legislation, citizens no longer need a reason to vote absentee. Request an absentee ballot under the "Other Ways to Vote" tab at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us. City Hall is open for Albertville residents to vote early and in - person from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, starting 46 days prior to each election and including the following extended hours: Extended Election 2020 Election Day Absentee Voting Voting Oa Precinct Saturday, February 29 Presidential Tuesday, March 3 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nominating Primary Saturday, August 8 Primary Election Tuesday, August 11 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, October 31 General Election Tuesday, November 3 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Detect breast cancer earlier with Gmammograms The 3D mammogram advantage • Detects 20% to 65% more invasive breast cancers. • Fewer false alarms with up to 40% fewer callbacks compared to 2D. Call 763.684.3600 to schedule your 3D mammogram today. Learn more at stellishealth.com. Stellis Health BREAKING IT DOWN: THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY In March 2020, Minnesota will conduct a presidential nomination primary to narrow the field of candidates. Voters will select their preference for major party presidential nominees. When and where: March 3 is presidential primary voting day. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit mnvotes.org to find your polling place or to learn about voting early and in -person or by mail. Earlyvoting began January 17. The ballot: Only major political parties participate. Each party has its own ballot, listing only that party's candidates. Whether voting in -person or absentee, you will request just one party's ballot. That ballot will only list presidential nominees for the party you requested. A record of which party's ballot you selected will be available to the major political party chairs. Each major party chair will submit a list of candidates for its party and will determine whether to include a write-in space on that party's ballot. Results from the presidential nomination primary will establish Minnesota's delegates for each major party. Precinct caucuses: Precinct caucuses as well as local and state nominating conventions will still occur. Precinct caucuses are run by state political parties and are the first in a series of meetings during which parties may endorse candidates, select delegates, and develop a party platform. The 2020 precinct caucuses will be at 7 p.m. on February 25. Locations will be posted at mnvotes.org prior to the caucus date. In 2016, the Minnesota legislature passed Minnesota Statutes Chapter 207A and Minnesota Rules Chapter 8215, establishing a presidential nomination primary. For offices other than President, the State Primary Election will on be August 11. CONTACTS For more information on voting and elections, visit mnvotes.org. You can also find your county election office information in the list on the same site. To reach the Minnesota Secretary of State, call 651.215.1440 or email elections.dept@state.mn.us. Henningson & SnoxelILTD. ATTORNEYS AT LAW Since 1981 q II 6900 Wedgwood Road # 200 Maple Grove, MN 55311 join us for Kafree, Kuchen and a Tour! 1 Guardian Angels (p SENIOR COMMUNITY Engel Haus Independent Living I Assisted Living I Memory Care 763-498-4594 5101 Kassel Ave NE, Albertville, MN Recycling Calendar Available! You should have received a postcard from Republic Services with your 2020 Recycling Calendar early January. If you need a new postcard, feel free to stop into City Hall Monday -Thursday from 7 aan.-5:30 p.m. and pick one up. You can also download a digital copy of the recycling calendar from the city's website at ci.albertville.mn.us/recycling Albertville Recycling The City of Albertville is proud to offer recycling to its residents. We have two recycling routes: one for the East side of town — Blue Recycling Schedule (East of County Road 19) and one for the West side of town — Grey Recycling Schedule (West of County Road 19). To become a better recycler, please visit RetyclingSimplifzed.com The recycling carrier asks that your blue recycling cart be at the end of your driveway the night before or by 6 a.m. on your bi-weekly Thursday for scheduled pickup. Make sure you leave 3 feet of space around your container from all obstacles such as mail boxes, other containers, cars and trees. You are also able to receive text message reminders on your recycling week: Eastside text "blue" to 292929 OR Westside text "gray" 292929 — Standard text message rates may apply. Wright County Recycling Facility 505 COUNTY ROAD 37 NE, BUFFALO, MN 55313 763.682.7338 The compost and recycling facility accepts household hazardous waste and recyclable materials from Wright County residents. Appointments are required for all household hazardous waste (HH)X) and recyclables. Please call the Wright County Planning and Zoning Office at 763.682.7338 during of&cc hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment. Visit co.wright.mn.us/162/Compost-Recycling-Facility for a complete listing of items/fees accepted along with location and hours of the facility. Wright County MINNESOTA n6. Recycling or'Wish Cycling'? MATERIALS TO STOP TOSSING IN THE RECYCLE Wish -cycling occurs when residents think something should be recyclable, but in reality, it's not! Here are seven common items that end up in a recycling facility, but really should go somewhere else: • Car Parts: Brake rotors, wheels, tires, vehicle batteries and other metal car parts are not recyclable. Metals such as this may be taken to a scrap metal dealer. The only metal materials going in the recycle cart should be aluminum beverage cans and metal food cans. • Propane Tanks: Any type of compressed gas tank in a recycle cart is unsafe! This includes disposable propane canisters, butane, helium tanks, and oxygen tanks. Compressed gas cylinders can rupture and catch fire, so it's important to dispose of them at a safe drop-off location. • Plastic Gas Cans: Like propane tanks, plastic gas cans run a risk of explosion and fire! • Plastic Landscape Edging: This type of plastic does not have a recycle number on it and is often dirty. No recycle number, also known as a resin identification code, means no recycling. • Plastic Toys: Toys made out of plastic rarely contain only one type of plastic so it makes it difficult to recycle. Only items made of one type of plastic may be recycled. • Lithium and Other Batteries: No batteries are allowed in the recycle cart and lithium batteries are most dangerous. They are filled with acid and some types of lithium batteries can start fires when smashed with other recyclables. • Plastic Bags: When plastic bags are in the recycle cart, they cause damage to the recycling equipment and time is wasted while untangling the locked gears. Instead of putting plastic bags in the recycle cart, take them to retailers that offer plastic bag recycling such as grocery and department stores. By making sure that these items never see the recycling cart, residents help keep recycling efficient and keep costs down. Do You Receive Your Water Bill Electronically? If you do and have recently changed your email address, please contact the Utility Billing Department at 763.497.3384 x105 to update your email address to ensure you receive your bill and continue to receive a discount on your water bill. If you don't receive your bill electronically, sign up today and save money on your monthly utility bill! If you sign up to receive electronic utility bills, you can save $2.17 a month and signing up for automatic payments from your checking or savings account can save you an additional $2.03 monthly for a total savings of $4.20. The sign-up form can be found on the City's website at ci.albertvitle.mn.us under the Pay Online button and click on the Direct Pay Form. The discount applies only to scheduled ACH draws from your checking or savings account and is not eligible on web payments. [[PLEASE RESPOND'] If you received a notice via the mail from the Utility Department to update or service your water meter, please contact the Utility Department promptly, if you haven't scheduled your appointment yet. Contact 763.497.3384 Monday -Thursday 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Joint Powers Water Board DID YOU KNOW? • Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid substance including sulfuric acid. • To create one pint of beer, it takes 20 gallons of water, while 1 gallon of wine requires over 1,000 gallons and 1 pound of chocolate requires over 3,000 gallons of water! • It takes more than twice the amount of water to produce coffee than it does tea. • It takes 7th years for the average American residence to use the same amount of water that flows over the Niagara Falls in 1 second! WATER CONSERVATION FACTS — THINGS TO THINK ABOUT... • Less than 2% of the Earth's water supply is fresh water. • In the United States, people drink more than 1 billion glasses of tap water and use nearly 400 billion gallons per day! • Refilling a half -liter bottle 1,740 times with tap water is the equivalent cost of a 99 cent water bottle at a convenience store. • If you water your grass and trees more heavily, but less often, this saves water and builds stronger roots. " ,j Umiflok � 19 CONSECUTIVE YEARS DER Get real insights that get homes sold. When you're ready to make your next move, we're ready to put our insights to work for you. Edina Realty. a BI-h— HIth—y affillata k Shelly Matuska Managing Broker 763-221-7050 shellymatuska.edinarealty.com shellymatuska@edinarealty.com Jaclyn Prall Title Closing Manager 763-271-5520 edinarealtytitle.com jacklynprall@edinarealtytitle.com ;F - j Jeffrey Stephens Mortgage Consultant - NMLs 400831 612-743-7315 edinarealtymortgage.com jeffreystephens@edinarealtymortgage.com p Monticello & Buffalo OfficeS And the Surrounding Areas FEEEXCEPTIONAL BUFFALO: 763-682-3434 MONTICELLO: 763-295-3456 PROPERTIES 311 10th Ave. S EdinaRealty.com 9240 Hwy. 25 f 8 a Albertville Outdoor Skating and Hockey Rinks Central Park 5801 Lander Avenue NE Outdoor rink closures will be posted on myfycc.com daily. Open Skate: "Vi School Days 4:30-9 p.m. / Non -School Days Noon to 9 p.m. Warming house is open during these times; however, attendants are scheduled from 4-9 p.m. Mon -Fri and Noon-9 p.m. on weekends and non -school days. Full Size Hockey Rink Hours: • Monday 12:00-6:00 p.m. • Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m. • Tuesday 5:00-9:00 p.m. • Saturday 3:00-9:00 p.m. • Wednesday 12:00-6:00 p.m. • Sunday 3:00-9:00 p.m. • Thursday 12:00-6:00 p.m. • PRIMP ADVERTISING & DESIGN WEB MULTIMEDIA PRINT COMMUNITY Mention this ad to redeem a FREE ONE HOUR Marketing Consultation or Website Evaluation 763.551.3700 1 PrimeAdvertising.com 1 6450 Wedgwood Rd N #100, Maple Grove Spring Forward Set your clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 8, 2020. At what age can I leave my child home alone? co.wright.mn.us There are no statutes regarding this. It is strongly recommended that you consider the child's maturity, comfort level of being left home alone, and what to do in case of an emergency. Children age 7 and under should not be left alone for any period of time Children ages 8-10 not more than three hours Children ages 11-13 not more than 12 hours Children ages 14-15 not more than 24 hours Children ages 16-17 may be left alone for over 241 plan in place concerning how to respond to an eme Reports alleging inadequate child care arrangement; may be screened in for a child protection response according to the following guidelines: Children under age 11 should not provide child care Children ages 11-15 who are placed in a child care role are subject to the same time restrictions of being left alone as are listed above Children ages 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision. Note: If children are left alone at the time the report is received by the local child welfare agency, and the circumstances fall outside of the timelines listed above, the local agency may refer the matter to local law enforcement for a child welfare and safety check. 44 The Annual Christmas Tree Pick Up Was a Success! The Public Works Department were busy around town collecting Christmas trees early January from curbsides to convert to mulch. **Please remember that Christmas trees WERE NOT picked up if they were in a bag, still had decorations on them or aft tree stands intact. The Annual Christmas Tree Pick Up is traditionally the first NW Monday every January. Wright County News Posted on: January 16, 2020 • co. wright. mn. us WRIGHT COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE NOW OFFERING OPTION FOR RESIDENTS TO DOWNLOAD LAND RECORDS If an individual wanted to access documents pertaining to land records Wright County, they were required to come to the Wright County Recorder's Office to obtain copies of those documents. But, that has changed thanks to the county now offering individuals and real estate professionals access to LandShark. LandShark is a web -based tool for research and retrieval of land record documents that date back decades. Among the information available on the site are Torrens data and document images dating back to 1955, active Torrens Certificate images dating back to 1910 and abstract data and document images dating back to 1977. For those who routinely deal with land records, subscriptions are available, but Wright County Recorder Tanya West said the primary benefit to one-time or OFM occasional users is that they can retrieve the documents they're searching for immediately. "We now have the ability for anyone who is an occasional user to get into LandShark and not only search for the data, but download the images they're looking for," West said. "There are some extra fees for that because they're not subscribers, but it allows anybody to now download images from a remote location." Prior to the installation of LandShark into the Recorder's record system, individuals could see the data that was associated with a property, but could not see the documents themselves or have the ability to obtain copies when they went to the website. "Before now, people could go on to LandShark and they were using a basic public user name and password," West said. "Anybody could use that public user name and password. Now, it's individualized. Everyone will do a self - registration to enter the site. Previously, they were only able to see data. They could do a search on their property and they could see that there was a deed or a mortgage or a lien filed against their property, but they couldn't see the actual documents. They would have to come to our office or call us and send us a check to go through the process of having us get them the information they needed. Now, they can download it on the spot from their home and don't have to come to our office to get the images they're looking for." For occasional users, there is a remote access fee of $10 per session and a cost of $1 per page of images downloaded, payable by entering a credit card number. It is still less expensive to come to the Recorder's Office to get the copies they need, but, for many, the time used to come to the Wright County Government Center to obtain copies of those same documents is worth the price in terms of travel costs and time savings. To learn more about LandShark, there is a link on the Recorder's page on the Wright County website (landshark.co.wright.mn.us/LandShark) that explains the process. For regular users of LandShark, an enhanced remote access agreement and escrow request form can be purchased. Those with questions are encouraged to contact Kelly Day of the Recorder's Office at 763.682.7359. IBIS Premier ■ Banks FDIC Bank Local. Bank Premier. Albertville Office 1 763.497.8224 1 premierbanks.com Wright County Veteran Service Office Completes Massive Records Digitization Posted on: January 15, 2020, Wright County, www.co.wrightmn.us There are times when a task seems a little too overwhelming to take on, but when its something that will make life better and easier for a lot of people down the road when the hard work is done, it can be gratifying. It was one such challenge that greeted Wright County Veteran Service Director Greg Pickard when he took over the position in January 2017. One of the first priorities he tackled was converting the county's files on Wright County veterans from paper to a digital format — something that wasn't going to come easy. The problem? There were 36 five -drawer filing cabinets — many of them packed so tight that it was difficult to remove an individual file or squeeze it back in the cabinet. His cramped office resembled a metallic sardine can of filing cabinets stacked one next to another. But, when Pickard came on board with Wright County Veteran Service, he knew what he was up against. "When I took the job, I was familiar with this office — I had seen what it looked like with all the cabinets — and I knew what was ahead of us," Pickard said. "There were a couple of times where I was like, `Oh, my God. Are you serious?' But, we knew we had a job to do and it was going to take about three years to get the job done. We figured we could get about one filing cabinet a month done." The process of scanning and digitizing the documents began in March 2017 with a goal of getting the job completed by December 2019. Thanks to the work of his small, but determined staff, the job was completed in July 2019 — almost six months ahead of schedule. By the time the work was completed, 17,746 records — many of which contained several, and, at times, hundreds of pages — were converted from paper documents to a digital database. "We did it the old-fashioned way — started with A and began scanning pages," Pickard said. "We had to work with IT (Information Technology) to make sure the servers could handle the load of the volume we were going through. We went all the way down the list until we finally got to `Z.'" Among the primary benefits of the changeover is a vastly more precise, efficient cataloging of records and documents that markedly reduces the research time needed. Pickard said there were times he or his 7DOComputers & Electronics Appliances Computers Electronics Bulbs Ballasts - Batteries & More__d�,� staff literally had to pore over and sift through 100 or more pages of documents to find the specific information a veteran was seeking. Now it can be accomplished in a matter of a couple of minutes. "Speed and research times are the biggest advantages for us," Pickard said. "Customer service when they come through the door, and research of what we need to do for them, has changed completely. Instead of everything being jumbled together, if I need to find a 214 (a retirement/ discharge document), it's labeled and right there at my fingertips." Wright County Commissioner Mike Potter praised the work done by Pickard and his office to get the records transferred so quickly to give Veteran Service staff much easier access to vet files as opposed to the maze of filing cabinets that they had at the start of the process. "This was one of the most important things that office needed to get done," Potter said. "Before we could digitize, keeping paper documents was the only way to preserve these important files. Not only did they get the job done ahead of schedule, they opened up a lot of space by not having to depend on storing them in filing cabinets. The time needed to find the information our veterans are looking for was sped up by leaps and bounds." -Mike Potter, Wright County Commissioner The filing cabinets that once overwhelmed any available space Veteran Service could find at the Wright County Government Center are now empty and a thing of the past, replaced by digital data that can be stored and retained without using up space. It was a big challenge that took two -and -a -half years to complete, but it has completely transformed how Veteran Service can respond to vets in need of assistance because all the records the county has are now easily retrievable. Pickard said it wasn't easy, but he was relieved when the last file cabinet was emptied and removed from his office. "Being prior military for 20 years, I walked in a lot of offices where there were just piles and piles of paper files," Pickard said. "I wasn't that intimidated by how much work this would be for our office, but you recognize that it was a daunting task to get it gone. We were all happy when we finally got to those last files." Prevent Cooking Fires The leading cause of structure fires in Minnesota last year was cooking. Cooking fires caused an average of $4.5 million in damage each of the last five years in Minnesota. The top two factors last year in cooking fires were unattended equipment and combustibles too close to a heat source. STAY SAFE WITH THE FOLLOWING TIPS: • Stay in the kitchen when cooking. • If you leave the room, turn off the stove and move the pan from the burner. • Keep things that can burn — oven mitts, towels, and wooden spoons — three feet from the stove. • If a fire starts, slide a tight -fitting lid on the pan and turn off the heat. • Avoid loose -fitting clothing that can easily catch fire. What you need to know about Carbon Monoxide Alarms Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas. Signs of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and disorientation. Cooking and heating units that burn fuel and are not properly ventilated or that malfunction can be a source of CO in the home. STAY SAFE WITH THE FOLLOWING TIPS: • Install carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of each sleeping room or inside each sleeping room.o=� • Test CO alarms monthly. Replace alarms every five to seven years. • If a CO alarm sounds, evacuate �1 immediately and call 911 from outside your home. • Clear snow and debris from furnace, dryer, fireplace or oven vents around your home to prevent a CO buildup. Open f rom lam to 7pm, 7 days a week. Call 763.441.8102 or visit RinTinlnnKennel.com Turn hunger into hope with your own two hands Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children around the world. Join us to pack nourishing meals. It just takes 2 hours! Kids S years and older are welcome. Sign up today to pack meals in Chanhassen, Eagan or Coon Rapids. FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN fmsc.org A Snow And Ice Are Not Always Nice During a Minnesota winter, snow and ice can prove to be anything from a nuisance to a hazard. Between k r snowstorms and freezing temperatures, we often use salt to make driveways and sidewalks more accessible. It is important to keep in mind that salt does not disappear when the snow and ice eventually melt. Instead, salt washes into local lakes and rivers and eventually seeps into the drinking water supply, disturbing the environmental balance. Be prepared for anything winter throws your way by following these simple tips to limit salt use: • Set a schedule. During larger snow events, try to shovel every one to two hours depending on how long the snow is expected to last. Not only will it lighten your load, but this will also help to prevent ice from forming under the snow. • No shovel? No problem. If your snow blower is out of commission or if you don't have a shovel handy, try placing a plastic tarp over walkways, sidewalks, or even your vehicle. When the flurries stop, remove the tarp to reveal a clear path. • Use a leaf blower. They are perfect for removing light, fluffy snow. Just point and blow the snow away. • Build traction. Use sand or even birdseed for traction. Although the grains won't melt the snow or ice, they may provide a better grip on slippery surfaces. Kitty litter and ashes are another option but can be messy when the snow begins to melt. • Use salt sparingly. One heaping coffee mug of salt is enough to cover 250 feet or roughly two parking spaces. 511 Statewiffl Travel 511 is a public service of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to help travelers access information about road conditions, traffic incidents, commercial vehicle restrictions, and weather information via the phone or the web, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Download the app today at 511mn.org Travelers: Traffic events, speeds, cameras, winter road conditions Truckers: Trucker -focused iN information that highlights weigh stations and restrictions Mobile: 511 easily viewed on mobile devices Fire Hydrant Snow Removal Modern fires develop quicker and spread faster. Any delay in finding a hydrant and accessing water can impede the ability of Albertville firefighters to safely and effectively fight fires. There are literally thousands of hydrants in the city, and there is simply no way that public works and the fire department can shovel all of these locations. Winter weather brings snow. Sometimes snow accumulates over fire hydrants and that can be made worse when snow removal efforts create piles on top of hydrants. And then, freezing temperatures keep that snow frozen. lb A 1.r�.3� Time is critical when firefighters need to access water from a fire hydrant. They depend on a reliable water supply to fight fires. Work with neighbors to ensure that fire hydrants are clear of snow, even if the hydrant isn't directly in front of your house. The few minutes you take after it snows can make all the difference when water is needed during a fire emergency. 2 1.0 0- 2020 Total Levy - Where the Tax Dollars Go 23.91% Capital Reserves (set aside for future purchases) 14.72% Debt (Annual General Obligation Bond Payments) 13.89% General Government (All Other Depts. & Buildings) 13.16% Public Works (building, streets, lights, etc.) 0.21% Economic Development (taxes) 1.06% Planning & Zoning 24.54% Public Safety (Police & Fire, animal control) 8.51% �- ulture & Recreation (Parks, Library, Senior Centers, etc.) BUDGET QUESTIONS? Please contact the Finance Director Tina Lannes at 763.497.3384 or email tlannes(aci.albertville.mn.us National Volunteer Week APRIL 19-25, 2020 Volunteer in 2020! Find a volunteer opportunity with a cause you care about and get involved. www.volunteermatch.org f � - C<, y 0, and FOREVER CLEAN iest tp_clean carpet on the planet." Lefebvre's Carpet "Your Total Floor Store Since 1986" 763.441.4181 9310 Parrish Ave NE, Otsego www.LefebvresCarpet.com w Serving an average of 200 families per month in the areas of Albertville, Hanover, St. Michael, and parts of Corcoran and Loretto. 7 � JEEMP—t -1 Located in the lower level " " ' ` of St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1024 Church St NE, Hanover HanoverAreaFoodShelf.org 763.498.0086 Hours: Tue & Fri: 12:00 - 2:00pm, Wed: 10:00am - 2:00pm, 1 st & 3rd Mon: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Used Eyeglass Program mnlionsvisionfoundation.org If you no longer need your used glasses or sunglasses, please ,'� consider donating them to the Lions. Minnesota Lions �/ can accept prescription eyeglasses (frames with lenses intact), YCLE non-prescription sunglasses, and reading glasses. (No lenses Sight without, frames or frames without lenses, please.) WHERE CAN YOU DONATE YOUR OLD GLASSES? Used eyeglasses may be sent to the Vision Foundation or dropped at one of the many collection locations in Minnesota. Please reference the Minnesota Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center for a list of drop sites and information. For news, visit the Minnesota Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center's Facebook page. You are also welcome to drop off at Albertville City Hall during business hours. Minnesota Lions members have now collected more than eight million pairs of eyeglasses. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation operates a regional facility in Rosholt, Wisconsin where Lions volunteers clean, repair, and classify the glasses by prescription. Glasses are then made available for medical mission work. / C] kr Shrimp & Fish Fry FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 4:30 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. - CITY HALL Enjoy fish, shrimp, potato, baked beans, coleslaw, ­r cookie, lemonade, and coffee at the Albertville Lions Shrimp and Fish Fry. Proceeds will go to Lions Eye Bank. Bring your Eyeglasses you no longer use for Collection. Wright County Sheriff's Report: CURFEW ORDINANCE REMINDER Spring break is right around the corner! The following is a reminder of the curfew times for minors in Albertville: Under the age of 16 is 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Under the age of 18 is 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. It is a violation of Albertville city ordinance (Ordinance number, 6-4-1) for any minor or parent to allow a minor to violate curfew hours REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY Suspicious activity is not always an indicator that a crime is occurring. In 2019, the Wright County Sheriffs responded to 154 reported suspicious incidents in Albertville. The majority of these calls were not criminal in nature Nvith no risk believed to be present to residents. However, you know what is normal in your neighborhood and community. If you notice anything that appears unusual or out of the norm, we encourage you to report it to the Sheriff's Office. There could be a perfectly reasonable explanation for what appeared suspicious, but it maybe a crime occurring! We can't be everywhere there is crime believed to be occurring and appreciate the support we receive from residents. We are thankful for the partnership we have with the community and strive to maintain a high quality of life for residents in Albertville. You can report any suspicious activityby dialing 9-1-1. School Bus Safety dps.mn.gov THE SAFEST MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR CHILDREN In Minnesota, school buses make at least 10,000 school bus trips daily. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest mode of transportation for children — children are eight times safer riding in a bus to school than any other vehicles. • In Minnesota in 2018, there was one fatality involving a school bus. • There were 3,322 traffic crashes involving school buses from 2014-2018. Only 271 school age children who were riding in a school bus were hurt during that time frame. SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORISTS • Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus that is displaying red flashing lights and/or its stop arm is extended when approaching from the rear and from the opposite direction on undivided roads. • Red flashing lights on buses indicates students are either entering or exiting the bus. • Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) — but they should remain alert for children. • Altering a route or schedule to avoid a bus is one way motorists can help improve safety. In doing so, motorists won't find themselves behind a bus and as a result, potentially putting children at risk. • Watch for school crossing patrols and pedestrians. Reduce speeds in and around school zones. • Watch and stop for pedestrians — the law applies to all street corners, for both marked and unmarked crosswalks (all street corners) — every corner is a crosswalk. WHY DON'T SCHOOL BUSES HAVE SEAT BELTS? • School buses are larger and heavier, which means that the mass and weight of the bus is designed to take the bulk of the crash force. They are also far less likely to roll over in a crash. • School buses must be federally regulated to provide for compartmentalization. Compartmentalization means that the interior of large school buses must provide occupant protection so that children are protected without the need to buckle up. This is done through strong, closely spaced seats, energy absorbing foam seat backs, and a 24-inch seat height. Visualize this by thinking how an egg carton protects the eggs. • The chassis of the school bus is designed to separate from the body of the bus in a crash to slow down and spread the crash forces over the entire body of the bus. 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Certified Public Accountant Peggy Schumm, CPA, President E-mail: peg@cpapss.com 750 Central Avenue E, Suite 201, St. Michael 763-497-7817 1 Fax:763-497-9995 1 cpapss.com Prime Advertising & Design, Inc. 6450 Wedgwood Road N., Suite 100 Maple Grove, MN 55311-3649 An update from MnDOT: ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER The Minnesota Department of Transportation has shut down roadwork on Interstate 94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater for the season. The state agency in charge of maintaining roads and highways issued this update for drivers, with a look at work done in 2019 and the construction that lies ahead for 2020. 2019 WORK COMPLETE The I-94 Maple Grove to Clearwater project is wrapping up construction for the winter months. MnDOT and their construction partners want to thank drivers for their patience this past year. WHAT WE'VE DONE IN 2019 Built temporary lanes to prepare for next year's road resurfacing and widening of I-94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater • Began to replace the Wright Co. Rd. 19 bridge in Albertville • Began work on the Hwy 241 loop ramp in St. Michael WHAT TO EXPECT OVER WINTER Crews will wrap ❑p some final activities through January 2020; however, major construction activities are done for the year. Some of the work through January includes: St. Michael to Albertville: Barriers near the Wright Co. Rd. 19 bridge will remain in place over the winter. Other adjustments may occur to accommodate winter construction on the Wright Co. Rd. 19 bridge. ROUNDABOUTS Roundabouts are increasingly being used because they ease congestion, cost less to operate, reduce accidents by roughly half, and use less energy than traditional light -operated intersections. Learn how to navigate a roundabout here: PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAI D PRIME PERMIT NO. 2 Monticello to Clearwater: Crews will work on the shoulders along I-94 between Hwy 25 and Hwy 24. Intermittent shoulder closures will occur. The work zone speed signs will remain in effect while crews complete the work. Please continue to drive slowly and cautiously through the work zone. WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2020 In spring 2020, we'll be returning to: • Resurface and widen I-94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater • Replace the Hwy 241 bridge over I-94 and construct a roundabout on Hwy 241 at O'Day Ave. in St. Michael • Replace I-94 bridges over Wright Co. Rd. 19 in Albertville MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT We will improve the 39-mile stretch of I-94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater that includes more travel lanes, rebuilt bridges, improved drainage and the resurfacing of deteriorating pavement. Additionally, a new interchange is being constructed on I-94 near the city of Dayton. The improvements will reduce congestion, improve safety, improve freight movement, enhance economic vitality and provide a smoother ride for users of I-94. Work will take place between 2019 and 2021. For more information about this project, visit the I-94 Maple Grove to Clearwater project websitc at mndot.gov/04-mg-clearwater. VYield to pedestrians at crosswalk prior to roundabout. Choose appropriate lane: RIf for left or through ■ . ■ ..311� e4 � for right of through ■ ■ ■ ■3l� VYield to vehicles in both lanes. Enter when gaps exist. VYield to pedestrians upon exit. Do not enter roundabout alongside a large truck. Leave adequate room for them to maneuver. Do not stop within circle for emergency vehicles. Continue to exit, pull over, and stop when you have adequate room.