Cottage Grove Reports January 2023

Cottage Grove Reports

State of the City Address on Feb. 1

The State of the City Address is given once a year to provide residents with an update on the city. This year, Mayor Myron Bailey will deliver the speech at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1 at City Hall. The speech will be livestreamed and made available afterward on the city YouTube channel.

The mayor will touch on many important topics, including:

• housing development updates

• new industrial and commercial projects in 2023

• plans for redevelopment around 80th Street

• public safety and city finance updates

• a hotel market study

• city park and trail upgrades

• how our city ranks in levy and taxes among sister cities.

2023 Summary

Budget Statement

You can review the city’s summary budget statement on page 3 of this edition.

The purpose of the budget statement is to provide information to interested Cottage Grove residents. The budget is published in accordance with Minnesota Statute 471.6965.

You can view the city budget at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The city council adopted this budget on Dec. 7, 2022.

Council Member Swearing-In

Three city council members took the oath of office at the Jan. 4 council meeting.

This marks the beginning of the fourth term for Dave Thiede, who has also been the Strawberry Fest treasurer since 2017. He participated in this council meeting virtually.

Steve Dennis begins his third term, and also continues serving as mayor pro tem, vice president of the Economic Development Authority, and chairman of the board of Discover Cottage Grove, the city’s convention and visitors bureau.

This is the start of the first term for Tony Khambata, who was previously the chair of the city’s planning commission.

To watch the full swearing-in ceremony, as well as recordings of other city meetings, visit the city’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/CottageGroveMN.

At right: Council Member Dave Thiede, who was sworn-in virtually.

The city recently repealed and replaced the entire city code for the first time in 20 years. Here are some of the changes that went into effect Jan. 1:

• Catalytic converters: The recodification makes it a crime to possess a detached catalytic converter without proof of purchase.

• Third-party gift cards: Anyone purchasing a third-party gift card will be required to show identification that matches their payment (thus lowering the risk of someone using a stolen credit card to buy gift cards).

• Special events permits: An updated application process for large event permits (for events such as races or parades that expect more than 300 people). No public hearing would be required for these types of permit applications.

• Zoning code: The first full updated zoning code in over 50 years. To see if and how your property is affected, visit CottageGroveMN.gov/2022ZoningUpdate.

View the city code by visiting CottageGroveMN.gov/Business, then click on City Code.

Above: Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry swearing in Council Member Steve Dennis.

Mayor Myron Bailey swearing in Council Member Tony Khambata.

Fire and Fall Prevention Home Visits

People are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fire at age 65, three times at age 75, and four times at age 85. Thirty percent of people aged 65+ are involved in falls, many of them fatal or permanently disabling.

With a 60-minute home visit from the Cottage Grove Fire Department, our team will help assess the safety measures in your home to ensure a safer living environment.

During a home visit, our firefighters/paramedics will:

• Survey your home for fire and fall hazards

• Install free smoke alarms, if needed (while supplies last)

• Review your medical history and medications

• Check your vital signs

• Examine your balance and walking abilities

• Review your nutrition

• Analyze your cognitive function

Schedule a home visit by calling 651-458-2859 or emailing CommunityParamedic@ CottageGroveMN.gov.

Capture Cottage Grove Contest Winners

If a picture is worth a thousand words, the 2022 Capture Cottage Grove photo contest gave us volumes.

The first city photo contest was held in 2001. Last year marked the 21st year of the contest, and we received over 120 submissions in a total of five categories.

The city plans to continue hosting this annual contest that gives residents a chance to highlight the best of life in Cottage Grove. This year, two Cottage Grove residents—Isaac Pavek and Julie Rowan—took home the top prizes in the five categories: Wildlife and Nature, Celebrations and Events, Business, People, City Parks or Landmarks.

As you think ahead for this year, keep in mind the general rules: photos must be taken in Cottage Grove city limits during 2023. Winners will receive $75, and the city reserves the rights to use the photos.

Food and Fun All Winter at River Oaks

Join us on Feb. 18 for the fanfavorite Dueling Pianos dinner event (21 & over), which will feature a performance by Sweet Keys. Register at RiverOaksMuniGolf.com.

While you’re on the website, you can also make a reservation for the Friday Night Signature Dinners (Jan. 20 & Feb. 10) or fish fry (begins Feb. 24).

River Oaks offers more than food in the winter: come for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or book a special event.

Appliance Rebates

The city is offering rebates on select appliances as part of a grant from the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. Residents can apply for rebates of up to $100 for new toilets, $200 for new dishwashers and $300 for new washing machines.

City water infrastructure is built and maintained for maximum demand. Using more efficient appliances and toilets helps keep the demand lower.

Find rules for eligibility and apply at CottageGroveMN.gov/Rebate.

Warm nights and shiny lights, Isaac Pavek

Racing at the Ravine, Julie Rowan

City Summary Budget Statement (2023)

REVENUE

Property Taxes $18,399,000 $20,709,710

Other taxes/assessments 951,350 984,850

Licenses & Permits 2,499,150 2,482,900

Intergovernmental:

State 663,000 681,200 Federal and local 269,675 278,140

Charges for Service 5,761,200 6,449,440

Fines & Forfeits 180,000 180,000 Interest earnings 140,050 147,000 Miscellaneous 120,000 53,000 Transfers In 1,276,000 1,647,390 Total Revenue $30,259,425 $33,613,630

EXPENDITURES

General Government 2,890,332 3,178,545

Public Safety 11,110,823 12,160,570

Streets & Highways 4,788,290 5,543,665 Sanitation/Recycling 56,050 57,040 Cultural and Recreation 5,208,060 5,985,470

Conservation of Natural Resources 372,530 394,670 Economic Development 627,230 685,755

Capital Outlay 997,600 1,166,610 Debt Service 3,177,550 4,106,150 Transfers Out 643,800 763,100 Total Expenditure $29,872,265 $34,041,575 Property Tax

ENTERPRISE FUND BUDGETS

Operating: Revenue $3,460,830 $3,787,050 $1,140,500 $2,490,540 $10,878,920 $9,939,500 Expenses 2,497,620 3,585,155 942,745 2,520,120 9,545,640 8,489,270

Operating Income 963,210 201,895 197,755 (29,580) 1,333,280 1,450,230

Interest 50,000 56,000 10,000 - 116,000 125,500

Transfers Out (197,800) (197,800) (93,500) (100,800) (589,900) (531,430)

Net income(loss) 815,410 60,095 114,255 (130,380) 859,380 1,044,300

CITY HALL

12800 Ravine Parkway South Cottage Grove, MN 55016 CottageGroveMN.gov | 651-458-2800

Warming Houses & Ice Rinks

Due to unexpected snowfall levels, it has taken longer than anticipated to open the outdoor skating rinks and warming houses. Our parks and recreation staff work diligently every year to keep rinks at the highest standard. The best way to get updates is to follow @CGParksandRec on Facebook or from the QR code below, or check the recreation pages on the city website. When they do open, these are the ice rinks the city maintains:

• Hamlet Park

• Hearthside Park

• Highlands Park

• Peter Thompson Park

• Pine Tree Valley Park

• Woodridge Park

CITY

Snowshoe Rentals at Oakwood Park

Do you know what time it is? Snowshoe time! Come to Oakwood Park at 7851 Harkness Ave S. to rent snowshoes from the trailer. The city website has information about the rental process, including a link to the National Weather Service to see current conditions. You might recognize the trailer pictured above; it is the same one used for kayak rentals at Hazen P. Mooers Park the last couple summers.

Each rental locker includes two pairs of 22-inch, adult size Evo Trail Snowshoes. The cost is $15 for a two-hour time slot. Review the snowshoe rental rules and get a link to the registration website at CottageGroveMN.gov/ SnowshoeRental.

Mayor Myron Bailey and Council Members Steve Dennis, Tony Khambata, Justin Olsen and Dave Thiede