Crystal Connection Fall 2015 by By All Means Graphics

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N O I T C E N N O C L A ST

Fall 2015

NEW PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY OPEN HOUSE THE

Turn Over for Recreation Brochure

CRYSTAL CONNECTION

The Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Public Works facility at 5001 West Broadway is on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:00â&#x20AC;&#x201C;7:00 p.m., with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 6:00 p.m. The new Public Works facility will serve as the primary location for all Public Works maintenance operations, including streets, fleet services, parks and utilities.

City of Crystal 4141 Douglas Drive N Crystal, MN 55422

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 30308 TWIN CITIES MN

COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

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In This Issue City mourns loss of Susan Carstens �� 3 Community survey �� 3 New communications coordinator �� 3 Fire Prevention Week October 4-10 �� 4 Night to Unite �� 4 Chief’s Corner �� 5 Water rate increase �� 6 Traffic symposium open house �� 7 Ten things you can do to protect water bodies �� 7 Fall clean-up �� 8 Point of sale inspection program to be eliminated �� 9 When do I need a permit? �� 9 Home improvement assistance ��10 Economic Development Authority Update ��11 Metro Blue Line Extension ��11 Citizen’s Police Academy course �� 12 Adopt a fire hydrant �� 12

Visit our website at

www.crystalmn.gov City Manager: Anne Norris

CITY HALL AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RECORDS UNIT OFFICE HOURS Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

FREQUENTLY–CALLED NUMBERS Main Switchboard.....................................763-531-1000 Animal Control.......................................... 763-531-5161 Assessing.................................................. 763-531-1118 Code Enforcement.....................................763-531-1143 Communications �� 763-531-1136 Community Center/Recreation.................. 763-531-0052 Crime Tip Hotline......................................763-531-1020 Elections/Voting........................................763-531-1145 Engineering .............................................. 763-531-1161 Fire (West Metro Fire-Rescue District)....... 763-230-7000 Forester.....................................................763-531-1162 Parks........................................................763-531-1158 Police Records........................................... 763-531-1014 Police/Fire Emergency............................................. 911 Recycling (Hennepin Recycling Group)...... 763-493-8006 Rental Properties.......................................763-531-1144 Streets.......................................................763-531-1164 Utilities.....................................................763-531-1166 Utility Billing............................................. 763-531-1114 Zoning and Development...........................763-531-1142

CITY CALENDAR CITIZEN INPUT TIME Time: �� 6:00 p.m. Dates �� September *1 October 20 November 17

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSIONS Time: �� 6:30 p.m. Dates: ��September 10 October 8 November 12 (Work sessions may also be held before and/or after the Council Meeting dates listed below.)

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

Deaf and hard-of-hearing callers should contact the MN Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529 V/TTY.

Time: �� 7:00 p.m. Dates: �� September 1 and *16 October 6 and 20 November 3 and 17 *Denotes a change from the regular schedule

COUNCIL MEMBERS Jim Adams (Mayor) �� 612-805-5101 jim.adams@crystalmn.gov Laura Libby (Section I) ��763-670-2721 laura.libby@crystalmn.gov Olga Parsons (Section II) ��612-217-2337 olga.parsons@crystalmn.gov Elizabeth Dahl (Ward 1) ��612-567-3353 elizabeth.dahl@crystalmn.gov Jeff Kolb (Ward 2) ��612-314-5652 jeff.kolb@crystalmn.gov Casey Peak (Ward 3) ��612-666-9470 casey.peak@crystalmn.gov Julie Deshler (Ward 4) ��612-306-5808 julie.deshler@crystalmn.gov

All City meetings are open to the public and are broadcast live on Channel 16. Meetings are rebroadcast the following Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and on Monday at 10:30 a.m. Live meeting webstreaming and past meetings can also be viewed online at www.crystalmn.gov, under Online Services, go to OnDemand Council/EDA Meeting Videos. Council Work Sessions are also open to the public and are audio recorded. The recordings are available on the City’s website under City Government/City Council/Council Meetings and Work Sessions.

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

City Mourns Loss of Juvenile Specialist Susan Carstens Crystal Police Department Juvenile Specialist Susan Carstens – a compassionate, tenacious advocate for the citizens of Crystal for more than 35 years – passed away Thursday, July 23.

In 2013, Carstens’ service was recognized statewide when she received the Minnesota Association of Women Police Excellence in Support award. “Susan’s service was to our most vulnerable citizens and she served in an exceptional fashion,” says Chief Revering. Chief Revering says Carstens was an expert in juvenile justice and juvenile crime and understood the importance of early intervention in a juvenile’s life. “She worked tirelessly to connect children with resources to help them make better future decisions. One example of Susan’s earlier intervention work was a shoplifting course she taught to first-time offenders,” says Chief Revering. “Most often, she taught these classes on her own time as she worked well over a 40-hour work week every week of the year.”

Specialist Carstens began her career with the Crystal Police Department on Feb. 20, 1980.

Welcome to Communications Coordinator Michael Peterson

In Carstens’ office hangs a small plaque with a quote from Mother Teresa that reads, “Unless life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile.”

Michael Peterson began employment as communications coordinator with the City of Crystal on July 14. This is a new position for the City of Crystal. Michael is responsible for coordinating the management and development of the City’s communication programs, as well as the marketing and branding program for the City. Michael will coordinate the production of the Crystal Connection City Newsletter and oversee the City’s website, Facebook pages and other social media.

Community Survey

he City of Crystal would like to know how you feel about your neighborhood and city – what it looks like, how safe you feel, public safety services, street maintenance and snow removal, and overall quality of services. From August–September 30, residents are encouraged to supply input through a link on the City’s homepage at www.crystalmn.gov. The quick, 12-question survey will assist City staff in developing budget options.

Michael holds a communications arts and education master’s degree and a journalism/English degree from the University of St. Thomas. He also has an associate’s degree in media production from Hennepin Technical College. For the past nine years, he served as the communications coordinator for the City of Prior Lake. Previously, he was the marketing and communications specialist for the Girls Scouts Council of Greater Minneapolis, an adjunct assistant professor at Brown College, and held various editor and writer positions.

For more information, please contact the city manager at 763-531-1140 or anne.norris@crystalmn.gov. Thank you for your participation.

CITY OFFICES ARE CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: September 7 – Labor Day November 11 – Veterans’ Day November 26 & 27 – Thanksgiving Holiday

We are happy to have Michael on staff and look forward to working with him.

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

CRYSTAL CONNECTION

Carstens also coordinated the Hennepin County Juvenile Advisory Council, knowing the importance of networking with other agencies and sharing information to benefit the community’s youth, says Chief Revering. “Susan’s extensive network of contacts throughout the statewide law enforcement community is mourning the loss of one of the state’s greatest crime prevention and intervention experts.”

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“Every day, for 35 years, Susan advocated for the youth and vulnerable adults of our community,” says Chief Revering. “She fought to make sure that resources were available to help them and their families whether she was advocating for crime victims, assisting the homeless with housing, helping the elderly with their snow-filled driveways or making sure that the vulnerable adults were receiving their ‘dinner at your door’ meals.”

Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10 ❏ Does a grown-up test your smoke alarms at least once a month? ❏ Do you know the sound of your smoke alarms? ❏ Are your smoke alarms less than 10 years old? (Look on the back of smoke alarms for the date. If they are more than 10 years old, you need new ones.) ❏ Does your family have a home fire escape plan? ❏ Do you know two ways out of every room? ❏ Does your plan have an outside meeting place? ❏ Does your family have a fire drill at least twice a year? ❏ Does everyone at home know how to call the fire department once they are outside? ❏ Do you get outside and stay outside if the smoke alarm sounds?

This year, Oct. 4-10 is dedicated to learning the importance of having working smoke alarms in the bedroom. Location matters when it comes to your smoke alarm. Did you know that roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep?

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on Oct. 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on Oct. 9, 1871.

As a family, you can complete the Fire Prevention Week Checklist. If there are some boxes not checked, work together to help fix the problem.

❏ Do you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home? Do ❏ you have working smoke alarms inside every bedroom?

For more information, visit the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week.

On Tuesday, August 4, the City of Crystal and the Crystal Police Department partnered to celebrate Minnesota Night to Unite 2015. Registered block parties received visits from police officers, city council members, and firefighters. The City and the Police Department aim to satisfy all Night to Unite block party requests. Although our goal is to attend each and every party, The City is limited by what its staffing levels and time will allow for. The City welcomes any feedback that will help plan another successful Night to Unite for 2016. Please contact Officer Kwiatkowski at 763-531-1094 or sean.kwiatkowski@crystalmn.gov with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

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Every year during Fire Prevention Week (FPW), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the West Metro Fire-Rescue District (WMFRD) sound the alarm about keeping our homes and our kids safe from fire. WMFRD in Crystal and New Hope provides fiscally prudent, effective and efficient fire services to the communities it serves through response, prevention and education.

While block parties were in full-force, the Police Department hosted its annual Open House, bringing in numerous visitors. With treats and refreshments in hand, guests were taken on a guided tour of the Police Department, including the jail. Visitors stopped to get an up-close-and-personal look at a squad car, fire truck, and command truck which were displayed in the parking lot. We extend a great big THANK YOU to the block captains who coordinated neighborhood involvement and to those who attended the annual Open House. We look forward to collaborating with community leaders for next year’s Night to Unite and to seeing you at the next Police Department Open House.

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

CHIEF’S CORNER

By City of Crystal Police Chief Stephanie K. Revering stephanie.revering@crystalmn.gov • 763-531-1010 Dear Crystal Residents:

significant percentage of juvenile crime occurred during hours that juveniles should not be on the streets. Recently, an alert homeowner in the 5300 block of Jersey called in to report suspicious activity. Upon responding to the call, officers found three juveniles out past curfew. Two of the juveniles had previous contacts with local law enforcement for possession of stolen property. The juveniles were returned home to the safety of their parents, who were surprised to learn they were out after curfew.

As we welcome fall and say farewell to a beautiful summer, I would like to take a few moments to give you an update from your Police Department. In this edition, I will share some details from recent events held in the city and the importance of calling 911 when you see something suspicious in your neighborhood.

The previous incidents are great examples of how Crystal residents partner with Crystal Police to reduce crime in our city.

As always, if you ever have a question or would like additional information from the Police Department, please contact me. You can also keep in touch with us via Facebook (Crystal Police Department) or Twitter (twitter.com/CrystalMNPolice).

Through events such as Night to Unite, department members have the opportunity to hear concerns from residents and residents can hear firsthand from officers about some of the department’s crime prevention strategies. Crime prevention, intervention, and suppression occur when a community has active and engaged citizens willing to take the time to report concerns and suspicious activities.

Crystal Crime Prevention Board presents

Run For Rocco

The City of Crystal is fortunate to have a very engaged citizenry. Oftentimes, it is a citizen who leads a police officer to uncover a crime in progress. Below are just a few examples of how an alert citizen made a phone call that prevented or stopped a crime in progress.

5K Run

Officers were dispatched to a call from a resident in the 5400 block of Unity. The caller stated a dark-colored vehicle had parked in front of the house and they had seen no movement from the vehicle. Upon officers’ arrival, two individuals who did not live in or near the city were cited for narcotics. On another early morning, a resident called in a suspicious vehicle parked in the area of their home and officers arrested the suspicious party for theft from motor vehicles.

Saturday, September 26th

Bassett Creek Park in Crystal

Kids Race: 5K Run/Walk:

(5K will be chip timed)

We Need Runners, Sponsors & Volunteers

Many times, especially as it relates to juvenile crime prevention, one ordinance will assist officers in determining a violation of another. A strategy that we frequently use to curb juvenile crime is the “status offense of curfew.” The curfew ordinance was set after studies determined that a

www.crystalmn.gov

8:30 9:00

rocco

All Proceeds Will Go To The Crystal K9 Unit

Questions? Contact Pat Bedell - 763-535-6501 - pat@SignsInMN.com

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

CRYSTAL CONNECTION

In closing, I’d like to invite you to the 1st Annual “Run for Rocco” on Saturday, September 26, at Bassett Creek Park. Additional details about the event are in the advertisement below.

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On Tuesday, August 4, Night to Unite celebrations were held throughout the city. In addition to the many block parties, our Police Department Open House was, again, a great success. This annual community and police event aims to foster relationships between neighbors and law enforcement to make neighborhoods safer and heighten crime prevention awareness. The City of Crystal has a strong tradition of high neighborhood participation in this event. I would like to thank the many block club leaders who organized parties on behalf of their neighborhoods.

Water Rate Increase

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natural disasters. Safe water is a daily necessity; therefore, the establishment of alternative water sources is recognized as a best practice for community resiliency.

ogether, the cities of Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope form the Joint Water Commission (JWC) which receives water from Minneapolis via two water transmission pipes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one connecting to the Golden Valley reservoir and the other to the Crystal reservoir. From there, water is piped to water towers in Golden Valley and New Hope. Besides storing water, the water towers create water pressure when the water level is raised in the towers. After leaving the water tower, more underground pipes carry the water throughout the cities to provide service to individual properties. Crystal has 87 miles of water main pipes in the city (not including the transmission pipe from Minneapolis), servicing 7,828 property connections which are home to over 22,000 residents. In 2014, the city used 544 million gallons of water (this is equivalent to more than 4.1 billion 16.9 oz water bottles).

In addition to the construction of the new wells, the JWC also evaluated the structural integrity of the transmission pipe from Minneapolis to Crystal. The consultantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report indicated significant structural defects and a potential risk for additional failures along the entire pipe. In order to address this maintenance need and eliminate concerns about the existing pipe, it was determined that the entire transmission line must be replaced. Replacement of the transmission pipe started in early 2015, and it is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The City is actively working to provide an efficient, safe, and reliable water service to all properties in Crystal for generations to come. The recent JWC projects address some of the necessary maintenance needs of the aging water system. Water utility fees cover the cost of everything: drawing the water from the Mississippi River in Minneapolis; cleaning, treating, testing, and softening it; piping it to Crystal and Golden Valley; storing it in water towers and underground reservoirs, and delivering the water to properties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As of July 1, the rates are summarized below:

To pay for the water and the maintenance of the system, the City charges properties a water use fee through utility billing. Recently, the City has seen the impact of the aging water infrastructure. In 2014, the JWC started the process of constructing emergency wells. These wells will provide the JWC with a backup water supply should the main water supply from Minneapolis become unusable due to infrastructure issues, human-caused conditions, or Water rate (per 1,000 gallons)

Emergency Well Fee (per 1,000 gallons)

Combined Cost (per 1,000 gallons)

Cost per gallon of water*

Tier #1 (Majority of properties)

$5.50

$0.21

$5.71

$0.00571

Tier #2

$5.90

$0.21

$6.11

$0.00611

Tier #3

$6.30

$0.21

$6.51

$0.00651

* NOTE: There is an additional $1.59 MN safe water testing fee per property and a $4.80 water service charge (for meters 1â&#x20AC;? or less).

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

Traffic Symposium Open House Transportation, whether via walking, biking, riding in a vehicle, or using mass transit, is a fundamental component of everyday life in Crystal. Plan to attend the Traffic Symposium to learn more about what goes into the City’s transportation system and the way things work. The event will be an open house format with stations set up focusing around the three key “E’s” of transportation

safety: Education, Engineering, and Enforcement. Staff from the Crystal Public Works and Police Departments, as well as other groups, will provide information and answer questions. Location: Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive N Date/Time: Thursday, September 10, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT WATER BODIES

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

CRYSTAL CONNECTION

Article reprinted with permission from Hennepin County Environment and Energy.

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The City of Crystal has a variety of creeks, ponds, and lakes that provide for recreation activities and natural habitat for wildlife. Your assistance is needed to help protect these water bodies. Below is a list of ten things that you can do to improve Crystal’s creeks, ponds, and lakes.

FALL CLEAN-UP Woodpiles

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CRYSTAL CONNECTION

With fall fast approaching and summer projects coming to an end, please plan ahead to see that all construction materials are properly stored in a garage or storage shed. Materials and equipment not appropriate for permanent outdoor use must be stored in a garage or storage building. This includes bagged leaves, old lumber, household appliances, indoor furniture, and deteriorated or wrecked property left unprotected from the elements.

Woodpiles are permitted in rear yards in residential areas if the firewood is used on the premises where it is being stored. Each residential property may have up to four separate woodpiles, and each woodpile must meet the following requirements. Woodpiles must be: • placed directly on a decay-resistant surface (such as concrete) or elevated at least 4 inches off the ground (such as on a pallet) • no more than 5 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 10 feet long • screened with a wall or fence if within 5 feet of a property line • cannot consist of elm wood if bark is attached • cannot consist of oak wood if pile is uncovered or bark is attached

When performing yard work, keep in mind that it is unlawful to throw, spill, or leave sweepings, compost, grass clippings, leaves, or brush in a street, alley, or sidewalk. If not properly stored, wood, branches, leaves, and grass clippings are considered litter and must be removed from the property.

Composting Composting must meet the following requirements: • A compost structure may not be placed closer than 5 feet to a property line and may only be located in the rear of the property. • Grass clippings, weeds, leaves, small twigs, herbaceous garden debris, and evergreen cones and needles are permitted contents of compost. • Garbage, refuse, rubbish, waste matter, fecal material, and any matter of animal origin is not allowed in compost. • Compost cannot become a habitat for insects and rodents or create objectionable odors.

Crystal residents may drop off yard waste at the Maple Grove Yard Waste Site for free. The site is open Monday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Accepted materials include grass clippings, leaves, garden materials, and tree limbs up to 10 inches in diameter. The site is located at 14796 101st Ave N, and you can contact them at 763-420-4886 or visit www.mgyardwaste.com. The site closes for the season on November 30, and will not reopen until April 1, 2016.

Please remember, a well-kept neighborhood increases the livability of our community and the value of your property. If you have any code enforcement-related questions or would like to report a possible code violation, contact the code enforcement specialist at 763-531-1143 or jason.zimmermann@crystalmn.gov.

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

When do I need a permit?

City of Crystal Considers Eliminating Point of Sale Inspection Requirement

One of the City’s responsibilities is to work with home and business owners and contractors so that new construction and alterations to existing construction are in compliance with state codes. 4141 Doug las Crystal, MN Drive North Phone: (763) 55422 Fax: (763) 531-1000 531-1188 Website: www.cryst almn.gov

Applicatio n for Building Permit

Date

Permit No.

Site Address

Rec’d By/D Tenant/B ldg Name ate ________ ________ Applican _ t: (check one) Owner Contract or Tenant Own (provide comp er Name/Co mpany ____ lete ________ information, ____ Addr ________ ess ________ including ________ ________ phone #) ____ Phon ________ City ____ e No. ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Contractor ___ State ________ ________ ________ Company ___ Zip_ __ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ Contracto ________ _ r License ____ No.: ____ _____ Phon ________ EPA Certi e No. ____ ________ ficate No.: ____ ____ ____ ________ ________ Expiration ________ Contact Perso Date ____ ________ ________ n (Print) ____ ___ ____ Expiration _____ ________ Address ____ Date ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ____ ________ ___ Phon _____ E-mail Addr ________ e No. ____ _City ____ ________ ess ________ ________ ________ ________ _ __ State ________ Designer _______ ________ / Zip_____ ________ Company Architect ____ ___ ________ / Agent ________ ________ (if applicab Address ____ ________ le) ________ ________ ________ _ Phone City ____ ____ No. ____ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ____ ________ ________ ___ State ________ Permit Sub________ ________ Type:  - Add/ ___ Zip_ ______ Alt Residentia ________  - Add/ l ________  - Gara Alt Comm ________ ge ercia  - Add/ _  - New Alt Industrial l  - Rero Res. of  - New  - Demo  - Sidin Commercia Work Type  - Egres lition g l : s  - New (1)  - Pool  -

Property

 - Alter

ation Office Use  - Lathe Required  - Footi Inspectio ns  - Fram ng ing

Office Use

 - Form s  - Energ y Effic

iency New  101 - 1 Census Cod Fam. Res. Detach  102 - 1 e: Fam. Attach  103 - 2 ed Fam. (Duple  104 - 3 x) &  105 - Multi4 Family  213 - Hotel/ Units 5 or more  214 - Other Motel Office  01 - Single Shelter SAC Cod Use e  02 - Duple Family 6/30/11 J:\FOR  03 - Townhx MS\Permit ouses/Condo Applications\B ’s uilding. doc

New

Amuse  319 - Place ment/Rec.  325 - Utiliti es  320 - Indust of Worship  326 - Schoo  321 - Parkinrial  327 - Retail/ls/Ed.  322 - Servic g Garage  328 - Sheds/Rest.  323 - Hosp./ e Station  329 - Pools Barns  324 - Office Institution  10 - Apartm /Bank Public Housi ents  21 - Duple xes  20 - Single ng (20 - 23)  22 - Townh Family ouses  23 - Apartm * * * (Ove ents

r) * * *

 - Egres s (2+)  - Patio Door  - Drain tile

 -Water Barri  - Ice Barri er-siding er-roof  - Exca vat/G  - Site Inspe rading ction  - C.O. Required  434

- Alt./A  437 - Alt./A dd/ Res.  438 - Garagdd. Comm.  645 - Demo e/Gar. Add.  646 - Demo 1-Fam.  647 - Demo 2-Fam.  648 - Demo 3 & 4 Fam.  649 - Demo 5 or more  30 - Comm Other  40 - Indust ercial/Institution  50 - Demo rial lition

• Sheds greater than 200 square feet (smaller sheds are exempt) • Porches, decks, steps, and landings • Garages

The Crystal City Council approved a first reading of the point of sale repeal ordinance on July 14. The Council will consider a second reading and adoption of the ordinance on August 18. If approved, the change would take effect on September 26. Closings that occur before September 26 would still require a point of sale inspection and either a code compliance certificate or a buyer’s agreement to assume the correction orders. Beginning on September 26, closings may occur without a point of sale inspection, certificate or buyer’s agreement. However, any correction orders written from inspections before September 26 would still be enforced.

• Driveways or other hard surfacing (patios, etc.) • Swimming pools • Windows, siding, and roofing Replacing, altering, converting, or moving appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, gas ranges, fireplaces, and air conditioners also require a permit. Permits are also required for all mechanical, plumbing, electrical, water and sewer work, including mechanical vents/ductwork, drain traps and venting, fire sprinkler systems, irrigation systems, foundation drain tile and sumps, and electrical work whether repair, replacement, or new. Informational handouts are available at Crystal City Hall and on the City’s website. You may also contact a customer service representative at 763-531-1000 or customerservice@crystalmn.gov with any questions you may have regarding permit requirements.

While the City of Crystal would be eliminating the point of sale inspection requirement, its high standards for property maintenance and upkeep would remain. The rest of the property maintenance code (Section 425) would not be affected. The City would continue to require rental licenses and inspections. The City would also continue to investigate property maintenance violations and take enforcement action as necessary.

www.crystalmn.gov

New  318 -

Windows (1-3)  - Wind ows (4+)  - Demo lition  - Remo ve/Install  - Sub-S lab  - Fdn Wate Prep  - Fdn Reinf rproof orcment  - Erosi on Control

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

CRYSTAL CONNECTION

The City of Crystal may eliminate its requirement for an inspection prior to the sale of a single family home or duplex, this is commonly called the “point of sale” inspection program. If approved, this change would be part of a Crystal City Council initiative to streamline code requirements and make it easier and less costly to sell or buy homes in Crystal.

 - Repa ir  - Move House  - Insul ation  - Wall board  - Final  - Special

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Any new construction or remodeling, altering, converting, or moving of existing structures, including the following, require a permit BEFORE starting work on the project:

HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE

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HousingResource Center 2148 44th Ave N, Minneapolis www.gmhchousing.org/1397-2 612-588-3033

Interest Rate Buy-Down for Community Fix-Up Fund Loans

Do you have technical questions about a potential home repair or remodeling project? Are you looking for financial assistance, incentives, or rebates for home improvements? The HousingResource Center is available to help! Office hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on the 4th Saturday of each month. Services are free of charge to residents of Crystal and some adjacent communities.

Crystal homeowners may also take advantage of a discounted interest rate for home improvement loans made through the Community Fix-Up Fund administered by the HousingResource Center. Maximum household income is $66,000; minimum loan is $2,000; maximum loan is $50,000; maximum loan-to-value ratio is 110% of the after-rehab value. Maximum term is 10 years for loans up to $10,000 or 20 years for loans over $10,000. For more information, contact the HousingResource Center.

Home Improvement Incentive Rebates Most Crystal homeowners are eligible for an EDA-funded rebate for a percentage of home improvement project costs.

Deferred Home Repair Loans This program is administered by Hennepin County and offers deferred, no-interest home repair loans to homeowners below 50% of metro area median income (up to $43,300). These loans are forgiven after 15 years unless the homeowner sells or moves out of the property. Also available are deferred loans with a modest interest charge for homeowners between 50% and 80% of AMI (up to $65,800). For more information, please contact Jim Graham at 612-348-2235 or James.Graham@hennepin.us. Information is also available at www.hennepin.us/residents/property/housing-assistance.

• To qualify, the property must be owner-occupied and the project must have a total cost of at least $2,000. • Rebate percentages are on a sliding scale depending on household income, with a maximum income of $103,920. • A property may not receive more than $10,000 from the program per year. • To receive the rebate, you must submit an application and receive approval from the HousingResource Center before you start your project. For more information, contact the HousingResource Center.

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA) UPDATE Scattered Site Redevelopment – EDA Lots for Sale 4901 Vera Cruz...................................................... $50,000 4331 Vera Cruz...................................................... $50,000 5924 Elmhurst....................................................... $50,000 4724 Lakeland....................................................... $55,000 3122 Douglas Dr.................................................... $55,000

For many years, the City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) has been buying blighted houses from willing sellers, clearing the lots and making them available to builders for construction of new single-family homes. The EDA sold 50 lots in 2010–2014, and five have been sold so far in 2015. Many of the new homes are built for specific buyers but some may be available and listed for sale on the MLS by the builder. As of August, the EDA has the following lots available:

More information about the available lots is available on the City’s website – click on “EDA Lots for Sale” under “What’s Happening.” To receive the lot list by mail or email, leave your name, phone number, postal address, and/or email address with the city planner at 763-531-1142 or dan.olson@crystalmn.gov.

3556 Major............................................................ $25,000 3533 Lee............................................................... $40,000

New house under construction at 6526 45th

New house under construction at 6601 62nd

Metro Blue Line Extension Metro Transit is proposing to extend the Blue Line Light Rail Transit from Minneapolis to Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. The line would provide direct service from Crystal to downtown Minneapolis, MSP International Airport, and the Mall of America. It would also provide service via the Green Line LRT to the University of Minnesota and St. Paul. The anticipated opening date is 2021. Learn more by visiting www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/ Projects/Current-Projects/METRO-Blue-Line-Extension.

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000

CRYSTAL CONNECTION

New house nearly complete at 4326 Zane

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Citizens’ Police Academy Offering FREE Six-week Course

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CRYSTAL CONNECTION

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a police officer? Do you have questions about how police officers carry out their duties and why? Have you ever wanted to meet any of your local officers? If so, plan to attend the annual Crystal/New Hope/Robbinsdale Police Departments Citizens’ Police Academy, which kicks off on Thursday, September 10, from 6:00–9:00 p.m., and runs every Thursday night for six weeks, ending with a graduation on October 15. The Citizens’ Police Academy is open to all interested adults who either live or work within Crystal, New Hope, or Robbinsdale. Classes cover many topics, including patrol tactics, investigations, narcotics, crime scene processing, juvenile crime, dispatching, court procedures,

use of force, K9 demonstrations, and crime prevention strategies. The Academy is FREE and no experience is necessary. Participants must commit to attending all six classes. Space is limited and the deadline to register is on September 3. To register, go to www.crystalmn.gov, and under “What’s Happening,” click on 2015 Citizens’ Police Academy. Fill out the form and either drop it off or mail it to Sgt. Tracie Lee-Faust, Crystal Police Department, 4141 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55422. Questions? Contact Sgt. Lee-Faust at 763-531-1044 or tracie.lee-faust@crystalmn.gov.

Adopt a Fire Hydrant this Winter Claim responsibility for shoveling out a fire hydrant after it snows. You and your family can help West Metro Fire-Rescue District (WMFRD) by adopting a fire hydrant in your neighborhood. Keeping hydrants clear of snow plays an important role in keeping your neighborhood safe and helps firefighters at the same time.

the following year. Adoptive residents will be eligible to win a free gift. When a significate snowfall occurs, firefighters will draw two names from a hat. They will visit each participant’s hydrant to see if it is free of snow and ice and to check that it has at least a 3-foot radius shoveled out around it. If the hydrant passes this safety check, the adoptive resident will receive a gift that has been donated by a local business. For more information, visit www.wmfrd.org or contact Deputy Fire Marshal Shelby Wolf at swolf@westmetrofire.com or 763-230-7006.

The program is simple. First, adopt a hydrant. Then, every time it snows, shovel all the snow away from the hydrant. This allows firefighters immediate access to water through the hydrants in the event of a fire in your neighborhood. To adopt a hydrant, a resident must complete and turn in an application to WMFRD by December 31. Applications are available at WMFRD Headquarters (4251 Xylon Ave N in New Hope) or online at www.wmfrd.org. Once adopted, you’ll be responsible for the hydrant throughout

www.crystalmn.gov

City of Crystal 763-531-1000