BRIGHTON - Sustainable New Brighton Preserving the City for Future Generations
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BRIGHTON
NEW
SPRING 2021
Sustainable
New Brighton
Preserving the City for Future Generations
SPRING 2021
In this Issue
PUBLIC SAFETY
Property Crimes�������������������� 4–5
FINANCE
General Fund Budget 2021����� 6
2021 Utility Rates���������������������� 7
Finance Services������������������������ 8
COVER STORY
Sustainability������������������������9–13
COMMUNITY ASSETS
& DEVELOPMENT
Congratulations, Jeremy! Spring in New Brighton����14–15
COVID-19 Grants��������������������� 16
What is an MS4?�����������������������17
Every year the City of New Brighton named the 2020 Michael J. Walker
awards a staff member with the award winner!
Michael J. Walker Spirit Award. PARKS AND RECREATION
This award is meant to honor the Colleagues nominated Jeremy saying
Ask the Director�������������������������18
legacy of Mike Walker, a beloved such things as, “Jeremy is willing to
employee who we tragically lost in take on all challenges that come his We are Hiring������������������������������19
2005. Recipients of the award are way, and always brings a fun and
outstanding examples of the qualities friendly attitude with him into City CALENDAR������������������Backside
Mike himself possessed. They show a Hall”, “He takes pride in the way our
strong work ethic, are committed to building department operates”, and
the organization and friends, joyful, “his commitment to the City of New 9–13
passionate, fun, friendly, and, possess Brighton is greatly appreciated, and
a willingness to tackle anything. his work ethic is second to none”.
We would like to congratulate our Congratulations and well done,
Building Official, Jeremy Wells for being Jeremy!
Mayor
CONTACT US
Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas
City Hall: 651-638-2100
Council Members Community Center: 651-638-2130
Abdullahi Abdulle Public Safety Center: 651-288-4100
Graeme Allen
Maintenance Facility: 651-638-2111
Pamela Stegora Axberg
Brightwood Hills Golf Course: 651-638-2150
Emily Dunsworth
Official Publication of the City of New Brighton
City Manager
Devin Massopust www.newbrightonmn.gov
2 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.gov
LETTER FROM THE MAYOR
Thank You for This Opportunity
Greetings New Brighton Residents and yourself, your loved ones, and the most Brighton will join the ranks of other cities
Business Owners, vulnerable, and you want to regain in our region by starting an Inclusive
the human connection moments we Commission in fall 2021 to continually
Our new City Council and I are all miss; the Covid Dashboard helps by improve at providing a welcoming
grateful for the opportunity to support providing: home for residents and businesses.
and partner with you during this • The number of cases in the city, We will share our progress, providing
important time in our community. We Covid symptoms, testing sites, you confidence and trust that our city
look forward to new ways of serving quarantine details, and other data government is delivering what you want
you with new resources, tools, and on Covid response; from us and illuminating where you can
relationships. We will expand our • Resources for residents and make a difference.
engagement with you. New Brighton is businesses in need; please
innovating with opportunities to help encourage them to reach out for I would like to thank everyone for
our community get back to life. help; your gifts that you share with our city.
• Future vaccine distribution sites, as From serving on our commissions to
Our opportunity to build community that information is available; and participating in physically distanced
safely: Our creative Parks and • Links to the latest public health events to supporting our local
Recreation staff, with the Parks, information on the safety and businesses, we are all part of building
Recreation, and Environmental effectiveness of vaccines. our city’s future today. Many of you have
Commission, have created a series • Our Department of Public Safety connected with me on your dreams for
of virtual programs, safely-distanced hosted several vaccination clinics our city, and I encourage more of you to
in-person courses, memberships at for Ramsey County first responders do so! I will host bimonthly Zoom calls
the New Brighton Community Center so these community-wide health every first and third Tuesday from 7–8
fitness center, new sports programs, and safety experts are protected p.m.; you can find those details on the
and drive-thru mixers. Even our beloved which then benefits all of us. city website or @MayorKariNT profiles in
Eagle’s Nest has a new way to play for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Once
the littlest residents. The amazing New Our opportunity to lead with vision: it warms up, we can connect in-person
Brighton parks are wildly busy and for We charted our New Brighton 2040 at masked meet-ups at parks. Please
true outdoor enthusiasts, Brightwood Comprehensive Plan, and now our email, call or message me if you need
Hills Golf Course now has a snowshoe council will map those long-range a different time to speak. Let’s share
and cross-country skiing trail created goals into biannual strategic plans, with each other our passion for New
by our Department of Community integrated with the commissions’ Brighton!
and Asset Development team to keep work and full of new ideas that need
us outside and active. Please stay community input. Partnering with In partnership,
connected to each other and view the talented city staff, the Economic
the many ways you can do so on New Development Commission has already
Brighton Parks & Recreation Facebook developed a business outreach plan,
page and the city’s website. the Planning Commission is leading a
zoning code revision process, residents
Our opportunity to keep you informed and Ramsey County are assessing our Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas
and be transparent: New Brighton’s housing needs, several sustainability Mayor of New Brighton
kari.niedfeldt-thomas@
Department of Public Safety, with our initiatives are reducing our impact while
newbrightonmn.gov
Public Safety Commission, developed a saving money (the theme of this issue)
651-290-3173
Covid Dashboard. You want to protect with many more on the way, and New
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 3
PUBLIC SAFETY
Tips to Keep You and
Your Neighbors Safe
Property crimes in the City of New • Always report crimes immediately ◊ Anything else that may stand
Brighton were up by 37% in 2020 as by calling 911 out
compared to 2019. Remember that • Keep track of serial numbers and Description of any vehicles
most thefts are crimes of opportunity. other identifiers that may be on involved
Criminals are looking for the easiest your property ◊ Make
way to victimize people. Also remember • When observing suspicious activity, ◊ Model
to help your neighbors. Keep them do your best to remember or make ◊ Color
informed of these crime prevention note of the following: ◊ License plate, if possible
techniques. Make them aware if their Description of the person(s) ◊ Anything else that stands out
garage door is left open or if they are involved (roof racks, vehicle damage,
not leaving exterior lights on at night. ◊ Race stickers, etc)
Criminals will take advantage of areas ◊ Gender ◊ Last known direction of travel
that seem to be an easy target. Well ◊ Height
lit and maintained neighborhoods are ◊ Weight Never put your safety in danger to
not inviting for criminals. ◊ Clothing description intervene, just be the best witness you
Additional Tips to Protect Yourself: ◊ Facial Hair can be.
Tax Season Do’s and Don’ts
When using the United States When using the Internet:
Mail to send in your returns, • Use all precautions you
always drop them in a secured normally use for opening
mail box/drop or at the Post charge accounts with online
Office. businesses
• Turn off your computers
You have personal information when not in use
on these forms that someone • When surfing the internet,
could use to claim your identity hackers can get into your
such as: computer and gather
• Social Security Numbers personal information
• Routing numbers for your • Check on fire walls and home
bank accounts computer security measures
• Income information that for your personal computer
someone could use to open • There is software that
credit accounts without your encrypts or scrambles the
knowledge (ID theft) purchase information you
• Home Address send over the internet
4 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.gov
PUBLIC SAFETY
1234
3
5
1 2
4
O M C R I M E
YO U R H OME FR
PROTEC T
Do not put outgoing mail
4 in an unsecured mail box.
Always lock your vehicles. Retrieve your incoming mail
1 Never leave valuables or ASAP. Consider signing up for
keys in your vehicle. Do not leave Informed Delivery by USPS. This is a
keys in the ignition with your free option to digitally preview your
vehicle running. Do not leave incoming mail prior to delivery to your
garage door openers in plain sight. mail box. For more info, visit usps.com.
Always be aware of your Keep bushes and shrubs well
2 surroundings and park in well-lit
5 groomed and away from blocking
areas or inside a secured garage if possible. windows and doors.
Check your garage If you see something – say something.
3 door before going to Call 911 if something does not seem right.
sleep. Try to keep garage Community members are often reluctant to
doors and other doors secured call 911 because they don't want to bother
even during the day. Be sure all of the responders for something that may be
the doors of your residence, including the nothing. Public Safety wants you to call any
garage service door, is locked when not in time you believe something is out of the
use. ordinary.
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 5
FINANCE
Charges for DCAD 14% Finance
Services 20% Other 8%
Int ers
Parks and nsf %
me ergo 7%
Recreation Tra
t8
nt ve
al rn Ou
26% %
5 - Turnover Ratio -1
Licens % EXPENDITURES
e
Permi s & Property
Administration
ts 4% 7%
Franchise
REVENUE Taxes
57% Public Safety
Taxes 7% SOURCES 38%
ome
ly H
ami
ng le F
d Si
alue
ian V
Med
Annual City Property Tax Payment
General Fund Budget 2021
The 2021 General Fund Budget was public safety services, parks and of $218,000 from payable 2020. The
adopted on December 8, 2020, with trails to use, recreational programs, median valued home in New Brighton
total revenues and expenditures of street maintenance and replacement, increased 6.6% from last year’s median
$18,393,500, a 0.32% increase over safe and reliable drinking water, value to $299,300 and is estimated
2020. The goal of the 2021 budget was license bureau services, community to pay the same annual city property
to mitigate potential tax impacts by engagement activities, and so much taxes in 2021 as in 2020; about $994.
being flexible in our financial planning more. The monthly cost of $83 for the median
and finding further efficiencies in The City Council adopted a 2021 valued home for city services continues
our operations. At the same time, City tax levy of $10,602,400. This to be good value as compared to other
the budget ensures we have robust represents an additional investment common household monthly costs.
Key • New Race & Equity
Coordinator position •
Project
Increased costs to retain and •
Replacement Plan
Decreasing recreation
Budget
• Elimination of the Assistant recruit personnel revenues due to continued
City Manager position • No election in 2021 impact of COVID
Changes
• No levy payment for the • Increased costs for • Forestry tree removal
2021 Street Reconstruction Non-Fleet Capital procedural changes
6 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.gov
FINANCE
2021 UTILITY RATES
To maintain and improve utility
services delivered to New Brighton WATER
residents, the City Council has Single, Two-Family, & Townhomes........................................$3.65 per 1,000 gallons
adjusted the rates for water, sewer, All Other.....................................................................................$4.70 per 1,000 gallons
storm-water, and street light services.
SEWER
The City Council’s meeting on Single, Two-Family, & Townhomes........................................$5.23 per 1,000 gallons
December 8, 2020 included a All Other.....................................................................................$7.09 per 1,000 gallons
presentation explaining the rate
changes. The presentation is STORM WATER
viewable on the City Council page
Single and Two-Family.............................................................$18.62 per lot per quarter
of the City’s website at www. Townhome..................................................................................$18.62 per unit per quarter
newbrightonmn.gov. Park, Cemetery, Golf Course.................................................$5.10 per acre per quarter
School..........................................................................................$55.58 per acre per quarter
The City of New Brighton continues to Mobile Home Park....................................................................$75.57 per acre per quarter
provide limited financial relief to low- Church.........................................................................................$103.54 per acre per quarter
Apartment, Condominium, Senior
income single family homeowners. All Housing, & Nursing Home......................................................$123.37 per acre per quarter
of the following requirements must be Commercial, Industrial, & Warehouse.................................$231.24 per acre per quarter
met to be eligible: Unimproved, Vacant Land.......................................................$0.00 per acre per quarter
• Owner and occupant of a single STREET LIGHTS
family home
Single and Two-Family.............................................................$11.21 per lot per quarter
• Enrolled in one of the following Townhome .................................................................................$11.21 per unit per quarter
Ramsey County financial All Other.....................................................................................$33.61 per quarter
assistance programs: SNAP, MFIP,
or GA RECYCLING
• At or below 165% of the federal
Residential Only*......................................................................$9.25 per quarter
poverty threshold guidelines
• Provide annual written proof of
participation in Ramsey County AVERAGE USE
financial assistance program • Average Single Family Home Per Quarter: 15,000 gallons of water and
10,000 gallons of sewer per residential property
• Average Quarterly Utility Cost is $146.13 Per Residential Property
This financial assistance equals 50%
of the quarterly flat rate amounts of *The recycling fee is for residential recycling services that the City has contracted
the water and sewer charges. with Republic Services. This service is provided to all single and two-family homes
and most townhome properties.
How to apply: Please mail in, or
drop off at City Hall, your proof of
participation in the County financial
assistance program. Please address
envelope to “City of New Brighton,
Attention: Utility Billing”.
***COVID-19 Relief: No late fees or interest
will be charged on past due utility bill
balances through December 31, 2021.
Please make payments as you are
able.***
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 7
FINANCE
We’re Here for You!
We’re still providing the planning your visit:
same services – it just might newbrightonmn.gov/
look a little different these departments/LicenseBureau
days!
Don’t Forget About our
Utility Billing Tab Renewal Dropbox*!
Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm The Drop Box is located on
Online: newbrightonmn. the lower level parking lot
gov/departments/ outside New Brighton City
UtilityBilling Hall. It is the same one for
By Phone: (651) 638-2129 utility bills.
Passports Office Renewal notices and
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm payments left in the Drop
and Sat 9:00am-1:00pm Box before 11:00 am will be
By Appointment Only! mailed out next business
Schedule on our website: day. After 11:00 am will
newbrightonmn.gov/ be mailed out within two
departments/Passports business days. This is a
(651) 638-2120 much faster turnaround
than if you mail it to the
License Bureau State!
*This service is available for current
Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:00pm Minnesota Residents and only for
By Appointment and Online tabs.
*This option is not available for
Waitlist Only Dealers.
Visit our website before *No cash accepted at drop box.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS
Homestead Credit Programs income, rather it requires you owned difficulty paying their property taxes.
You may be eligible for one or both, and lived in the same home on To qualify for this program, the
depending on your income and the January 2, 2021, and on January property must be owned by a
size of your property tax bill. 2, 2020; your net property tax person 65 years of age or older; the
increased more than 12% and at total household income cannot be
1. The regular property tax refund is least $100; and the increase was not more than $60,000; and one of the
based on your household income due to improvements made to the homeowners must have owned and
and the amount of property tax you property. lived in the home for at least 15 years.
pay on your principal residence. If you enroll, the amount of property
Requirements to claim the refund For more information, visit revenue. tax you pay is limited to 3% of your
require you owned and lived in your state.mn.us/property-tax-refund or total household income for as long
home on January 2, 2021 and your call 651-296-3781. as you participate in the property.
household income for 2020 was less
than $116,180. Senior Citizen Property Tax More information can be found
Deferral Program by visiting revenue.state.mn.us/
2. The special property tax refund This is a low-interest loan from the property-tax-deferral-senior-citizens
is not based on your household State to help senior citizens who have or by calling 651-556-6091.
8 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.gov
Sustainable
New Brighton
New Brighton’s sustainability initiatives and
programs aim to improve the quality of life
we live today and preserve New Brighton
for future generations. New Brighton’s
actions focus on the protection of our
natural resources (e.g. land, air, water) and
also on improving efficiencies within our
organization. In 2016 New Brighton became
a member of GreenStep Cities to help guide
us on our sustainability journey. GreenStep
Cities is a state program that offers
guidance and assistance to cities to further
their sustainability efforts. New Brighton is
currently one of twenty cities in Minnesota
to reach Step 5 – the highest grade a city
can receive based on their sustainability
initiatives.
We wanted to share with our residents
some of the ways we are working to
improve the quality and efficiency of life
in New Brighton through our focus on
sustainable initiatives.
Tree Planting at Hansen Park. Continued >>>
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 9
City of New Brighton has been a
Buildings 2,000 compact fluorescent lamps (which is 13 years for the smaller
“How we use our facilities has (CFL) fixtures were replaced with arrays, and 18 years for the large
changed over time and the LED at the Community Center. Lights arrays), and at the completion of the
equipment that serves those were also replaced at City Hall, Public contract the City will gain 100% of the
buildings continues to improve Safety, Public Works, and our Water solar benefit.”
our efficiency”, said Director of Treatment Plant.
Community Assets and Development To make it faster, easier and cheaper
Craig Schlichting. Solar to go solar, New Brighton reviewed
To expand on energy reduction, New local zoning codes and identified
“When City Hall and the New Brighton worked with iDEAL Energies restrictions that intentionally or
Brighton Community Center on the installation of 5 solar unintentionally prohibited solar
HVAC units met their useful arrays on City owned facilities photovoltaic (PV) development.
life they were replaced with with $0 of capital invested. In doing so, the City received a
higher efficiency units. “The peak power of the Bronze designation in the SolSmart
The HVAC controls were system is 333 kW, and in just Program. This designation is in
adjusted to work at optimal over a year of operation the recognition of all the hard work
levels, rather than having the City has had 554,651 pounds and leadership New Brighton has
HVAC work harder to compensate for of CO2 emission saved, or the shown to reduce soft costs and
the various swings in temperature. equivalent of 4,189 trees planted,” barriers to going solar. Specifically,
These changes maximize the Schlichting notes. New Brighton created an online
comfort of the building and also permitting checklist that increases
reduce the payback time for the “With no upfront costs to the City, transparency for community
equipment, while providing 15-20 we are required to pay 80% of the members and solar installers https://
years of energy savings”. energy produced by the systems to www.newbrightonmn.gov/rooftop-
To further reduce energy costs nearly iDEAL until the end of the contract solar-checklist.
10 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.govTree City USA for Over 38 Years
Street Lighting organic waste. Recycling food waste Urban Trees and Wildlife
“By the end of June 2021, all City owned converts it to compost, which puts Trees improve our physical health
and maintained streetlights will be nutrients back into the soil. by cleaning the air, reducing
transitioned over to LED. The previous The City collaborated with exposure to the sun’s UV rays, and
high-pressure sodium (HPS) luminaires Ramsey County to install a decreasing temperatures during
were becoming antiquated and collection site in the cul-de-sac the summertime. To do our part
operational costs continued to rise,” at 700 5th Street NW. This site the City of New Brighton has
said Engineering Supervisor Dustin enables people to drop off food been a Tree City USA for over 38
Lind. scraps that would otherwise be years. New Brighton also offers a
thrown in the trash. These are complimentary tree for residents to
The benefits then processed into compost and used place along roads and right of ways.
of LED street lights include in gardening and landscaping. This When the City completes improvement
increased efficiency, longer lifespans, spring and fall the City will conduct its projects it looks for opportunities to
and improved visibility at night. LED annual clean up days which includes include native plantings and pollinator
life is not defined at a point when the paper document shredding, and free friendly habitat. The revegetation
luminaire fails – it is defined as a point drop off of hazardous household plans for Hansen Park expanded the
when the light output reaches a level waste, oils, chemicals, and paint. The growth of aquatic plants in the
that is deemed no longer useful. The City of New Brighton continues pond and incorporated
typical point at when the luminaire to explore ways to make native plants throughout
will reach 70% of its original output is composting the site. To coincide
well over 100,000 hours or 25 years. and with habitat
recycling improvements,
Recycling easier the City recently
More than 30% of what goes into for our
the trash is food scraps and other residents. Continued >>>
Solar Panels at the Co
mmunity Center.
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 11Honey bees at WTP1. Installation of a raptor nest at Lions Park.
These Efforts Have a Multitude
installed large nesting poles for raptors of industrial and commercial uses for the project as it “demonstrated
with Xcel Energy at Hansen and Lions had occurred involving 15 historic innovation, collaboration, and
Parks. Additionally, we maintain properties, including a former exemplary results in revitalizing formerly
a honey bee population at Water petroleum refinery, two rendering contaminated land”.
Treatment Plant 1. plants, a solvent-recycling facility,
railroad spurs, two former dumps Water Reuse
Local Food that received municipal The City of New Brighton was awarded
In the summer of 2021 the and demolition wastes, project funding and grant dollars
City is utilizing a small an asphalt mix plant, totaling $197,500 from both the
grant to construct food stockyards, and Metropolitan Council and the Rice
garden plots at City Hall gasoline stations. The Creek Watershed District for the design
which can be used and complex land use history and implementation of a water re-use
an example for urban and resulted in extraordinary system at Lions Park. This location was
local food sources. We have environmental challenges chosen by the City of New Brighton
also partnered with our local to redevelopment, including for a variety of reasons including the
Farmers Market to provide space numerous petroleum leak proximity to Ramsey County Long
for them to host events during the sites, two state superfund sites, and Lake Regional Park, which provided an
winter and summer months. concerns with landfill gas. Today the excellent location to promote water re-
site is thriving with business (APi, CSi, use to both residents and park visitors.
Land Reuse DSi, TUV SUD) and living opportunities “The site conditions and athletic field
The New Brighton Exchange (The View Apartments and The Enclave construction methods also provided
redevelopment transformed a 100- homes and townhomes). Minnesota the perfect scenario for re-use of both
acre site with a complicated industrial Brownfields awarded New Brighton a stormwater and unused irrigation
history. For over 100 years, a range Community Impact Rescape Award water that reached field underdrains,”
12 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.govEducational kiosk sign at Lions Park.
of Benefits to our Community
said Parks and Recreation Director partnership is a coalition of more equipment. If successful, this would
Jennifer Fink. than seventy public, private and non- be the first City owned EV charging
profit organizations in the Twin Cities station.
The Lions Park water re-use system metro area. Through collaborative “When looking to the future, this
was designed to pump and treat education and outreach, the Metro will enable inspection staff vehicles to
stormwater runoff (with UV light) from Watershed Partners promote a public be replaced with electric equivalents,
14 acres of development surrounding understanding that inspires people to while also determining other City
the park and unused irrigation water to act to protect water in their watershed. locations where the most benefit could
reduce the demand on groundwater In 2020, New Brighton residents be received. This could prove beneficial
and to improve water quality prior to reported cleaning a for future use of electric
re-use for irrigation. total of 518.2 pounds squad cars, Public Works
“An educational kiosk sign is of debris from their maintenance vehicles
provided on site to demonstrate adopted storm drains. and mowing equipment,”
the benefits of the project. The sign This was an increase said Schlichting.
includes descriptions and graphical of 143% over 2019! If you are interested The City of New Brighton believes
representations of the project in doing your part please visit https:// that these efforts have a multitude
components and we encourage adopt-a-drain.org/. of benefits to our community. We are
residents and visitors to check it out”, able to protect our resources, work
said Fink. Future Projects efficiently, cut costs, and improve
The City is currently working with Xcel the quality of life in New Brighton
Adopt-a-Drain on the design of an electric vehicle (EV) now and hopefully into the future.
The City of New Brighton continues charging station at City Hall. At the We will continue to look for new
to remain an active member in the same time staff is seeking grants for and innovative ways to meet our
Metro Watershed Partnership. This procurement of the actual charging sustainability goals.
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 13Spring Time in Sewer Back-Ups If you experience a sewer back-up, call 911 as soon as possible. The City has personnel on call 24 hours a day. If you have had your private sewer service cleaned or cleared of roots, call 651-638-2111 or email kim. otis@newbrightmn.gov. You can also visit the City’s website for more information. Sweeping Spring sweeping typically begins in April or as soon as streets are free of snow. The streets are swept from the north to south or south to north, rotating every year. Alleys and City parking lots are swept last. Throughout the season, the City will sweep areas as needed to remove dirt from the streets and keep leaves and debris clear from catch basins with gutter passes only. Boulevard Damage Any turf damage caused by our snow plows Yard Projects and reported to DCAD will be repaired in the The City street right-of-way typically extends to an area spring using topsoil and seed. Report boulevard ten to fifteen feet beyond the curb. This area is called the damage by contacting the Public Works boulevard and is intended to provide for snow storage, Maintenance staff at 651-638-2111 or email kim. utilities, sidewalks, and other public uses. The City urges otis@newbrightonmn.gov residents to keep any landscaping behind the boulevard. 14 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.gov
New Brighton Mail Box Damaged?
Any mail box damage caused by our Flushing Hydrants
snow plows actually hitting the This year we will be flushing hydrants
mail box will be repaired in the the week of May 3, 2021. The flushing
spring. Report mail box damage may create periods of low water
at 651-638-2111 or email kim. pressure and the disturbance in the
otis@newbrightonmn.gov. water mains may cause dark colored
water. Although the water is safe
for human consumption, there is the
danger of staining clothing if you wash
clothes. Please refrain from washing
laundry when the hydrants are being
flushed in your area.
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 15COMMUNITY ASSETS&&DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY ASSETS DEVELOPMENT
COVID-19 Grant Program Results
The City of New Brighton is pleased rent or mortgage payments that had serving our community during these
to announce the results of our initial become past due specifically due difficult times. Businesses from
grant programs launched in 2020 to the pandemic. Twelve additional daycares to restaurants to local salons
to help our residents and businesses residents also sought funding, but did took advantage of this opportunity,
overcome financial hardships resulting not qualify for an award as they could and many used these funds to cover
from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both not meet one or more of the qualifying facility upgrades needed to keep their
programs were required to follow all criteria (income limit, no income loss, workers and patrons safe while at
necessary guidelines and restrictions no demonstrated COVID impact, or their facilities.
for CARES Act funding allocated by their specific need wasn’t covered).
Congress, and both were designed Eight residents voluntarily withdrew While these programs have now
with broader eligibility requirements applications during the process. ended due to federal deadlines,
than similar programs offered by the City of New Brighton remains
Ramsey County and the State. Regarding business grants, over committed to the well-being of its
$139,000 was distributed to sixteen businesses and residents, and we will
Through this effort, the City was (16) local businesses and qualifying strive to offer additional opportunities
able to provide over $51,000 in non-profits which helped them to for assistance should additional
assistance to 24 residents for either keep their doors open and continue funding become available.
16 NEW BRIGHTON Spring 2021 www.newbrightonmn.govCOMMUNITY ASSETS & DEVELOPMENT
W H AT IS A N MS 4 ?
Did you know that the City of New (NPDES) MS4 permit released by the
Brighton is an MS4? A Municipal MPCA. It is intended to reduce sediment
Separate Storm Sewer System and other pollutants from entering
(MS4) is a conveyance, or system of state waters. MS4s must develop
conveyances (i.e., municipal streets, a program, known as a SWPPP, to
catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, satisfy permit requirements. The City’s
channels, etc.) that is designed to website has additional information and
collect stormwater and is owned and educational resources on this program.
operated by a public entity, such as the The opportunity for public comment,
City of New Brighton. Stormwater from provided once a year, is now available
an MS4 is regulated under the National until March 1, 2021, by contacting
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System engineering@newbrightonmn.gov.
www.newbrightonmn.gov Spring 2021 NEW BRIGHTON 17PARKS & RECREATION
Ask the Parks and Rec Director
We all love spending time in New Brighton Parks. The trees, ponds and
Q:
playgrounds are both beautiful and fun! Do you ever have questions
about how we manage these resources? Parks & Recreation Director,
Jennifer Fink, is here to answer your questions!
A:
I was very sad that trees Tree removal is hard. They are so great to look at. It is often hard to
were cut down at Hidden tell when they are sick, or when they are not a tree that is helpful to
Oaks Park. Why did you other trees around it. I spoke to our Parks superintendent. Here is
cut them down? what I found out.
-Eleanor, Age 6
The parks and recreation forestry crew was working on a number of things.
First, there were ash trees that needed to be removed. These trees can become
infested with Emerald Ash borer which is a small green insect. This insect slowly
kills the tree, and then moves on to other ash trees very quickly and makes that
tree sick as well. It is important that we remove these Ash trees as soon as we
realize it is infected so it slows the spread. Otherwise we could lose up to a third
of the trees in New Brighton nearly all at once. Unlike humans, trees can’t wear
masks.
Some of the other trees that were removed were taken out because they were
crowding other trees, making it hard for them to grow. Too many trees close
together compete for all of the nutrients in the ground, making for more of
the less vibrant and healthy trees. It would be like if there were too many kids
packed into a room. You couldn’t run around and play and grow and exercise.
Trees need the space to spread out so they can get the sunshine and nutrients
in the soil.
There are also a couple of trees in the area that were not native trees as well
as buckthorn. These are trees or bushes that are generally not helpful to the
environment, as they take nutrients from the soil and overtake the area.
I hope that helps. Please know that we will be back in the spring to replace a
number of the ash trees that we have removed. So that you can spend the next
dozen years watching them grow up to be big and strong! Just like you Eleanor!
Parks and Rec Fun Fund
New Brighton residents who are come, first serve basis. We accept
unable to pay the full registration donations of all sizes to the Fun Fund
fee may receive a scholarship. Scholarship program.
Individuals requesting assistance will
be required to demonstrate a need Please Contact Lori Hokenson for
and will be asked to pay a portion of more information: lori.hokenson@
the fee. Funds are available on a first newbrightonmn.gov or 651-638-2124
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LIKE US ON
May 22, Spring Clean-Up Day FACEBOOK
• Drop off items at 700 City of New Brighton
5th Street NW 7:30 am facebook.com/
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–2:00 pm.
Public Safety
facebook.com/NBDPS
May 31, Memorial Day
• City Offices Closed. Parks and Recreation
facebook.com/
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August 3, National Night Out The City of
New Brighton
Eagles Nest
• More details later this spring!
is also on
facebook.com/ Nextdoor!
eaglesnestplayground
September 18, Fall Clean-Up Day
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
• Drop off items at 700
@newbrightonmn
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–2:00 pm.
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