Mayors Memo May 2013

What a roller coaster ride this spring has been!  We go from cleaning up a foot and a half of snow in early May to an almost a 100 degree record breaking day less than two weeks later.  Living in Minnesota certainly gives you the chance to see all seasons -- sometimes even in the same month!
As we continue to hope that spring is here to stay and summer is right around the corner, talk turns from weather to construction season!  We will be seeing a lot of activity which is going to be good for our community.  We will be finishing 16th Street and the Bridge.  Work will start on a Park & Ride facility on the south side of Highway 14.  We will also be putting down the second lift of blacktop out in the far northwest part of town along with fixing a few stretches of road south of Main Street. 

Work is scheduled to begin soon on the site of the old Folkestad’s Garage.  Plans are for the building to be gutted, cleaned up and renovated for use as a business incubator.  Interest has already been expressed in that building, so getting it cleaned up and re-used will be great for our community and the downtown area. 

Have you driven by the pool lately? Obviously, work has continued!  With the challenges of a long, wet winter/spring there are some delays with the pool work.  Please note that the contractors are doing everything they can to meet the open date.  The building is coming along nicely, and we are hoping for a nice stretch of dry weather enabling them to finish the pool and deck work.  The opening of the pool will be a great day!

Lastly, come on out for another “Meet the Mayor” meeting at Erdman’s deli from 8AM to 9AM on Saturday, June 1st.  I’ll look forward to hearing about what’s on your mind!

In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com

Mayors Memo: Kasson

At last week’s City Council meeting a resolution was discussed in regards to the Destination Medical Center proposal.  Essentially the discussion was around the importance of the Mayo Clinic not only to Rochester but to all of southeast Minnesota.  Right here in Kasson they are one of our largest employers.

A few weeks back we passed a resolution on the DMC showing support in general for the project.  On Wednesday the 10th we passed a resolution offering to provide assistance to the DMC project.  It is an offer only at this point as the State Legislature would need to enact our proposal. 

Since the Kasson Mayo facility was built back in the 70’s the property has been in a TIF, or Tax Increment Financing, District.  Essentially all of the taxes since then have been paid but then are rebated back to the Clinic to offset the infrastructure costs when the building was constructed.  This resolution that we passed would in many ways keep that general kind of financing plan in place.  We would dedicate the $35000 in taxes to be paid per year to the DMC for the next 20 years. 

What do we gain by this?  At the core we show we understand cooperation and that by working together with other communities and businesses all of southeast Minnesota can remain vibrant.  Potentially we gain infrastructure improvements.  Hopefully we gain the trust of those around us to show that we take seriously the vibrancy of our community and will find creative ways to ensure it.  It is safe to say that without the Mayo Clinic Kasson would not be the town that it is today. 

Furthermore, technically since the city has not received the benefit of the increased taxes since the clinic was built the cost to our budget is not the $35000 per year but is only roughly $2400.  I feel strongly that this is a wise and prudent investment.  

We don’t know where this will end up.  We do know though that this is potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage and act on a proposal that could transform our area for decades. 
If you have any questions about this please let me know.  Thank you.

In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com

Mayors Memo

What an amazing autumn we are having!  This dry weather is great for finishing up those yard and home projects, getting crops out, and of course working on city projects.  However, I hope we experience some rain soon to avoid the drastic drought conditions that some of our neighboring areas and states are already dealing with.  

Update: 16th Street is progressing well.  The Aquatic Center (after some delays mostly relating to a permitting issue with the State) has started.  The target is still for a June 8th open date and that is what we are planning on.  So as much as we need the rain it can hold off for a little while!

You might have already noticed through all the constant TV and radio ads, that this is an election year.  Surprise!!??! While we have probably heard enough presidential ads to last us a lifetime, did you know at the local level we do have two positions on the council up for election and we have six candidates that are running (one for re-election and five other candidates)?  At the local level it can be difficult to find information on the candidates.  The DCI will once again be running as they have in the past, candidate questions and answers before the election along with the many ads that are sure to be in the paper as well.  However, I would suggest you give these candidates a call or if you know them and see them around town -- chat them up when you get the chance.  Without having a primary system set up, we are limited on how we can get to know the candidates.  And, with six candidates it can be even tougher.  Below is a listing of them in alphabetical order:

Steve Breza
Chuck Coleman
Dan Eggler
Rich Miller
Spencer Stevens
Sheldon Torkelson (currently serving on City Council)

We have many exciting things happening around town.  It’s a great time, I feel, for people to be getting involved and having six candidates is an indication that people are interested in what is going on around town.   

Also, if you want, you can access a copy of what our ballot in November will look like at the Secretary of State’s website.  That address is: http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/
Or, you can go to the City’s Facebook page and access the site from the posting on September 25th. 
And, as always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. 

In your service,

Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com

Mayor’s Memo

As I write this the start of school is just a few days away.  Another summer has gone by swiftly!
As you may have noticed the 16th Street and Bridge project is well underway.  From what we are being told construction is about a week ahead of schedule.  The landscape has definitely changed significantly out there. 

The pool project should be getting underway soon.  The items not needed for the new aquatic center have been salvaged by a local pool supply company.  The majority of the bids were approved and demolition should hopefully begin soon.  A couple of the items for the center will be re-bid, however those items should not impact the timeline for completion. 

At our last Council meeting in August a quick update on the 2013 budget was provided.  City Staff have been working quite hard on this given the tax increase approved by referendum for the pool.  In percentages, we’re looking at about a 12% increase for the pool and less than 4% for the 16th Street and Bridge project. 

As far as the operating or General Government levy side of the budget we are targeting a 0% increase at this point.  The preliminary levy will be set at our next meeting on September 12.  Once we set the preliminary levy the final levy can only be the same or less.  So essentially we are putting a cap on 2013 budget at that point. 

As school begins, please keep in mind the safety of our children as you drive around town and make sure to stop for pedestrians in the cross walks and watch for those who do not always use the crosswalk areas.  Please keep in mind as well that as part of an ongoing review process some stop/yield signs have been removed.  We’re all busy and rushed at times -- but make sure to slow down through town and keep your eyes open for those heading back and forth to school. 

In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com

Mayors Memo-Aquatic Center

As noted in previous Mayor Memos, this newspaper and others, the City will be holding a referendum on April 3 for a new aquatic center.  This project will replace the existing pool (on the same site).  For more information on the project please see the city’s website (www.cityofkasson.com) as there is an informational piece provided along with a link to view the 3D renderings of the project. 

Mark your calendars and plan to attend one of the following open houses: Thursday, March 15 from 6:30 – 8:00PM and/or Saturday, March 17 from 10:00 to 11:30AM.  City Hall will be hosting an Open House encouraging all citizens to come and have their questions answered in regards to the aquatic center project.  Representatives from USAquatics and the Pool Committee will be on hand.  Please plan to join us at City Hall for this exciting opportunity!

As always if you have any questions, comments or
concerns please contact me. 

In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com