Spring Park Quarterly Newsletter
   Quarterly Newsletter
Green Leaf
From Your Mayor
City Hall Door 4th of July
7 Ways to Beat the Summertime Blues~

Mother Nature walloped us this winter and spring. With historic rainfall amounts and record high water levels for Lake Minnetonka, she continues her outrageous behavior this summer. At Spring Park, we are all trying to remain positive and make lemonade out of a summer of more than our share of lemons.  

 

Here is my lucky seven list to keep summer from being a wash-out:   

  1.  Enjoy the lake in a new way this summer. Despite the minimum wake rules, it is a great opportunity for a slow boat cruise, taking advantage of a smooth ride. You can rent a pontoon in Spring Park from Rockvam Boat Yards with no worry of getting swamped by big cruisers.
  2. Patronize a local business that is dependent on summer business. The Wharf at Lord Fletcher's is just as exciting with delicious food, drinks and entertainment, even if you arrive by car.
  3. Become a watershed junkie. Follow the lake levels on the  Minnehaha Creek Watershed website. Historic high lake levels were reached several times this summer with the highest at 931.11.
  4. Take notice of the abundant wildlife on the lake. Have you noticed the flock of white pelicans new to the lake this year?
  5. Head out on the Dakota Rail trail. Go for a walk, run, or bike ride. (Make other plans July 21-August 4th when the trail closes for regular trail maintenance for seal coating.)
  6. Try a new water sport. The lake is perfect this year for paddle boarding or kayaking. You can rent equipment right in Spring Park at the Black Oar across from Spring Park Bay on Shoreline Drive.
  7. Call your insurance agent. Inquire about flood insurance and/or riders to cover sump or sewer backups. The City does its best to keep our sewer system in tip-top shape, but with rainfall amounts at record highs this year, unfortunately sewer back-ups occasionally happen.
The lake is slowly receding. My backyard and a portion of my dock are still under water, but I am optimistic that summer will be resurrected soon.

 

Your Mayor~

 


Sarah Reinhardt

From the City Desk Green Leaf 2

Westonka History Museum 

Our museum has been a busy local attraction this winter. Even though we are only open to the public for four hours once a week, since January 1 we have welcomed over 230 visitors, about 100 from our local cities, about 100 from other Minnesota cities, including Duluth and Webster, and 10 from other states, including New York and California. Our monthly program topics ranged from talks by Minnesota authors to the formation of our state soil and the geology of Lake Minnetonka. Programs for 2014-2015 already include "The 39th Man," "Fore! Gone," and "Ox Cart," as well as the history of Spring Park and Saga Hill. Read more

 

Voting & Election Info.    
Do you know the status of your voter registration? It's easy to check. Simply go to the Hennepin County website and enter the information as requested. Your up-to-date voter registration information and voting location will be located. From there you can make sure your information is accurate or make changes to your registration now, before the August 12 Primary Election. If you have questions about voting or registration, go to the city website under "For Residents">Elections, or call the City at 952-471-9051.

 

November Elections: Three city council positions including the office of mayor are on the ballot this November 4. Read more

  

Status of Spring & Fall Cleanup Events   

The City has been notified by Allied Waste that they are no longer capable of providing curbside pickup for our spring and fall cleanup events due to their transition to side loading/automated trucks. Due to Allied Waste deciding to discontinue the curbside pickup, and because City residents have the Mulch Store available for yard waste, we are currently reviewing future options for the spring and fall cleanup events.  Stay tuned to your fall newsletter for more information on this subject.  

FiretruckFrom the Fire Department

Recreational Fires  

In recent weeks we've had a number of calls regarding smoke in the area from recreational fires. Recreational fires are allowed for your enjoyment, but are restricted to no more than 3' in diameter and 3' high. Only clean-burning wood is allowed. Yard waste, branches with leaves, and trash are not allowed. The recreational fire must be attended by a competent adult at all times, and may not be left smoldering. Please be considerate of your neighbors, and be aware of how much smoke the fire is creating, and where the wind is directing the smoke.  

 

Power Line
Safety Tips 
Summer thunderstorms often bring high winds that cause trees and power lines to come down on the ground or roadway. Please stay clear of downed lines and report them immediately.

Get more information about what to do if you see a downed line  

From the Utility Department  Green Leaf 2

Baby Wood Ducks

Emergency Outages
Because of our recent rain events causing temporary flooding in parts of our City, there seems to be some confusion about after-hours reporting of concerns or emergency notification of outages. City Hall's after-hours answering message states if the caller needs to report a utility outage to call 911 and the dispatch center will relay the message. The City provides water and sewer, roads, and lift stations. If you are having a problem with any of these, 911 Dispatch will notify Spring Park's Utility Superintendent, DJ Goman.
Get contact information here

Sewer Backup Insurance 

Most homeowner insurance policies will not cover a sewer backup without sewer backup coverage.  The City will not cover damages unless it can be proven that the City was negligent in maintaining its system.  The City recommends you consider obtaining a rider that covers such damage if it were to occur.  Sewer backup coverage is usually available for a nominal additional cost on your homeowner's insurance policy.

 

Illegal Dumping Concerns 

Gosling family

The City has on occasion experienced items discarded on City streets that we believe may be related to the spring and fall cleanup events. Usually the items are deposited after the event takes place and the City is forced to notify the hauler for an extra pick up. This pick up is charged back to the City. If you notice an incident of illegal dumping in progress, call 911 to report it. If you happen to know whose item has been illegally dumped on a City street, please notify City Hall so we can return the item to its owner. Please see the article under City Desk related to the possible discontinuance or change in the spring and fall cleanup events.

  Bull Horn Reminders~ 

 

  

NO WAKE - WHOLE LAKE: The "Emergency High Water" Declaration will remain in effect until the Lake level falls below 930.30 feet for three consecutive days.    

 

Spirit of the Lakes - July 17-19. Visit http://spiritofthelakes.com for the schedule of events.  

 

Local Candidate Filing Period -
Opens July 29 and closes 5 p.m., August 12.

 

State Primary Election - August 12, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.    

 

 
Spring Park
City of Spring Park, Minnesota
4349 Warren Ave
Spring Park, MN  55384

 www.ci.spring-park.mn.us 
Summer 2014
Spring Park
In This Issue
From Your Mayor
From the City Desk
From the Fire Department
From the Utility Department
Reminders
Mark Your Calendar
Mark Your Calendar 

Council Meetings:     

7:30 p.m. Jul 21; Aug 4, 18; Sept 2 (Tues), 15 

 

Planning Commission:

7 p.m. Jul 9; Aug 13; Sept 10
 

Work Sessions:

7 p.m. Jul 28; Aug 25; Sep 22

 

No Sort Recycling:

Fridays Jul 18; Aug 1, 15, 29; Sept 12, 26

 

Local Candidate Filing:
7 a.m.-5 p.m. Jul 29 - Aug 12
 

Primary Election:
7 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug 12

 
Summer Hours End:

Sept 1

 

First Day of Fall:

Sept 22

 

Office Closed:

Sept 1      

 

Quick Links 
Community Links
 Recycling
 Permits & Applications
City Codes & Ordinances
 More News
City Officials & Staff  

COUNCIL
Mayor: Sarah Reinhardt
 Council Members:
Shirley Bren
Gary Hughes
Doug Sippel
Bruce Williamson

PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
Chair: Jeff Hoffman

Pete Kaczanowski  

Michael Mason

Sarah Struck

Gavin Tempero   

 

Administrator: Dan Tolsma
City Clerk: Wendy Lewin
Utility Superintendent:
DJ Goman
Office Assistant/Utility Clerk: Sharon Farniok

 


About Us 
Post Office
City Parks
 City Facts
 City Water
Contact Us

Spring Park City Hall
4349 Warren Ave
Spring Park, MN  55384
Phone: (952) 471-9051
Fax: (952) 471-9160

E-mail:

cityofspringpark@ci.spring-park.mn.us

 

  Summer Hours thru Sept 1: M-Th 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.

www.ci.spring-park.mn.us
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