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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.01.25 Hello St. Joseph! We’ve navigated another winter and hopefully these more pleasant temps are here to stay along with spring. It’s exciting times around town as more of us are getting outside, enjoying the weather, and exploring our downtown area. New businesses are opening soon like “The House Food & Tap,” “Well & Company,” and multiple others. We also have a sweet new beekeeping ordinance to allow residents to become beekeepers, better pollinate our area, and maybe get some honey for themselves. We also have two roundabout projects that’ll occur this summer which might be a bummer temporarily, but long term, it will make our city and area safer. Additionally, your City Council and I are constantly working on ordinances, assisting businesses, helping residents, and attempting to make St. Joseph more rad than ever. If you ever have any questions about anything, please reach out: ascepaniak@cityofstjoseph.com. Annual Spring Cleanup – May 17th Residents who participate in the city refuse program are eligible to place additional refuse curbside at no additional charge. All refuse must be out curbside by 6AM on the 17th and items are limited to a 6ft x 6ft area. Exceptions (include but are not limited to): Appliances, electronics, tires, pollutants, yard waste, construction waste, computer monitors, and televisions. Appliance & Electronic Dropoff – May 17th, 8AM – Noon The appliance & electronic drop-off is at the St. Joseph Public Works Facility located at 1855 Elm St E. There is a limit of two items per household. Please be prepared to present your ID to confirm residency. Utility Billing: Winter Average for Residential Sewer The City of St. Joseph uses a winter averaging system to determine your sewer “cap” for residential sewer. This winter average is reset each year and appears on the bill that you receive in January [for November and December services]. For Example: • If you use 13,500 gallons, the winter average or sewer “cap” is 13,500 gallons. • If you are watering your lawn or maintaining a garden in the summer months and you use 25,000 gallons of water, your sewer use charges will still not exceed the 13,500 gallons. • Should your water usage be less than the number of gallons “capped” by the winter average [less than the 13,500 gallons above], you will be charged for that lesser usage. • This minimizes the charges to residents in the summer months when sprinkling lawns and gardens. For new residents, or those that are away for the winter, the city average water usage of 13,500 is used as the maximum for sewer use charges. Note: This does not include multi-family dwelling units. For more information, please see city ordinance 403. 2025 Fee Schedule Each year, the city reviews the city fee schedule. A public hearing is held in December on the proposed rates for the following year. The City Council then adopts the fee schedule before the 1st of the year. Most recently, the City Council amended the fee schedule at their February 18th meeting to edit the bulk water rates and add charges for short-term rentals. The fee schedule is on the city website. Mar/Apr 2025 Fire Mitigation & Spring Safety Tips. Daylight savings time begins March 9th. This is a great time to check smoke detector batteries. There should be a smoke detector in every bedroom and every level of the home. Review your family’s Fire Escape Plan. Inspect gas grills, including gas hoses & propane tanks prior to using. 2025 Utility Rates/Per Bill Cycle The following chart is a summary of the 2025 utility rates for an urban single-family residential user. Rates were adjusted to cover the cost to operate and maintain the City’s water, sewer, storm water, refuse and street light utility costs. Single-family sewer usage is determined by the total water used and capped by the amount used in November/December 2024. Round-up Program. Did you know that you can round up your city utility bill to help fund park development? Funds received by rounding up your bill to the next whole dollar will be deposited into the Park Board fund allocated for new park amenities. Please contact city hall if you would like to sign up. ISD742 School Bond Referendum Special Election, April 8, 2025 On April 8, 2025, St. Cloud Area School District 742 will ask voters to decide on two questions to improve school safety, prepare students for future-ready learning and the community’s workforce, and create a multipurpose indoor athletic space. Question 1 must pass for question 2 to be approved. More information regarding the referendum can be found at https://www.isd742.org/referendum. Absentee voting began on February 21st and is available in-person at the St. Cloud Area School District 742 District Administration Office, 1201 2nd St S, Waite Park, MN 56387. District Administration office hours are 7:30AM – 4PM, Monday – Friday. The District is offering extended absentee voting on the following dates/times: April 1st 7:30AM – 7PM; April 3rd 7:30AM – 7PM; April 5th 9AM – 3PM. Election Day voting for St. Joseph residents will be the same as the General Election this past November. Precinct 1 will vote at Heritage Hall and Precinct 2 will vote at the Government Center. Polls will be open from 7AM-8PM on Election Day. Because this election is run and operated by District 742, please direct all questions to the District Office, 320-370-8000, referendum@isd742.org. Mark Your Calendars: April 7th – Fare for All @ Resurrection Lutheran Church 3:30PM-5:30PM April 10th – tornado drills at 1:45 PM & 6:45 PM (Severe Weather Awareness Week) April 18th – City Offices close at noon Water Usage $5.59 per 1,000 gallons Water Line Charge $25.60 per bill Sewer Usage $6.93 per 1,000 gallons Sewer Line Charge $42.00 per bill State Surcharge $1.62 per bill 60 gal Recycling $12.00 per bill 90 gal Recycling $17.00 per bill 30 gal Refuse $34.50 per bill 60 gal Refuse $37.50 per bill 90 gal Refuse $43.50 per bill Refuse Tax 9.75% MN refuse tax Street Light Utility $4.80 per bill Stormwater $14.00 per bill Question 1: Shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 742 (St. Cloud Area Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000, for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction of a safe and secure controlled entrance, the construction of a storm shelter in accordance with new building codes, additional fire and life safety updates, expansion of the kitchen and serving area, and renovations to improve career and technical education, music, art, and science classrooms at Apollo High School? Question 2: If School District Ballot Question 1 is approved, shall the School Board of Independent School District No. 742 (St. Cloud Area Schools), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000, for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction of an indoor multipurpose athletic facility for district educational and community use at the Apollo High School site? PARKS & RECREATION ACTIVITIES & EVENTS – for the most up-to-date event listing, go to cityofstjoseph.com under the recreation department. Pickleball: Mondays 6-9:00PM, Wednesdays, 6-9:00PM, District 742 Community Ed Program Saturdays and Sundays 8-12:00PM; Kennedy Community School. $3 Open Gym: Saturdays and Sundays, 12-2:00PM, $3. Bring your own equipment; Com. Ed Program Senior Citizens: St Joseph Fire Hall, 60+ activities, 2nd Thursday of the month Thursday, March 13, 12:00-1:00PM, St Joseph Fire Hall. Make cards for any occasion. Use stamps to create your design. If you have a preference on a season or a holiday you would like your cards for, let me know. You can text me or call at 320-250-0967 or email at rjuell@cityofstjoseph.com. Free Thursday, March 13, 1:30-3:30, come play cards (500) and enjoy treats and coffee/cocoa. Free Thursday, April 10, 12:00-1:00PM, St John’s Woodshop Tour. Free Thursday, April 10, 1:00-3:30PM, come play cards (500) and enjoy treats and coffee/cocoa. Free Thursday May 8, 1:00-3:30PM, come play cards (500) and enjoy treats and coffee/cocoa. Free Wednesday, May 21, bus trip to the MN Twins Game. Registration opens April 1st. Contact the Whitney Senior Center to register (320)-255-7245. Thursday, June 12, 12:00-1:00PM, Milk and Honey Ciders Tour (11738 Co Rd 51, St Joseph). Free Thursday, June 12, 1:00-3:30PM, come play cards (500) and enjoy treats and coffee/cocoa. Free Adult Flashlight Dash: Friday, April 18th, 8:30PM, Milk and Honey Ciders (11738 Co Rd 51, St Joseph). This is an event for people age 21+. Prizes from local businesses in most eggs. For more info and to register go to https://secure.rec1.com/MN/st-joseph-mn/catalog Summer Recreation Sign up: Registration begins March 3-April 25. Spots fill up fast. Kickball, Disc golf lessons, Flag Football, T-ball, Soft Toss, Coach Pitch, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Pickleball lessons, Toddler Triathlon, Power Wheels Derby https://secure.rec1.com/MN/st-joseph-mn/catalog Adult Dodgeball Tournament: Tuesday, May 13, 6:00PM, Kennedy Community School, $20/team of 8, double elimination. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place. Registration Deadline is May 5. Teams of eight players. Register online or contact Rhonda 320-250-0967. https://secure.rec1.com/MN/st-joseph-mn/catalog Women of Today Bike Event: Saturday, May 10, 11:00AM-1:00PM, Klinefelter Park, Rain or Shine. First 100 children will receive a free bike helmet and a chance to win one of ten bikes. Must be present to win! Free Movie in The Park: Mark your Calendar. Saturday, May 17, 8:30PM, Millstream Park. Join us for the showing of The Goonies. It is the 40th anniversary of the movie. Come help us celebrate! Concessions Available. Free St Joseph Jaycees are looking for new members age 18-41. Their mission is to provide the opportunity for young individuals to develop leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and fellowship necessary to create a positive change. Their meetings are the second Wednesday of each month, 7:00PM at the Middy. If you have questions, please contact Alyssa at 320-241-5118. Senior Yoga: Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30, Heritage Hall. Call (320) 255-7245 to register. Increase your flexibility, balance, and range of motion as you move your entire body through a series of seated and standing yoga poses. Restorative breathing exercises and relaxation promote stress reduction and mental clarity. Optional chair support provides added stability when needed. Enhance Fitness: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-2:30, Heritage Hall. Call (320) 255-7245 to register. An evidence-based program designed to improve the overall functional fitness and well-being of older adults. The exercises focus on four key areas important to health and fitness: stretching and flexibility; low impact aerobics; strength training; and balance.