SCENE February-March 2012
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The mission of Scott County is to advance safe, healthy, and livable Vol. 24, No. 1 February/March 2012 communities through citizen-based services. Clean water is goal of workshops “Blue Thumb” program focuses on shorelines, raingardens Do you have a “Blue Thumb”? The SCWEP is a partnership of District, City of Savage, Scott Coun- The Scott Clean Water Education ten local government organizations ty, Scott Soil and Water Conserva- Program (SCWEP) will host Blue in Scott County. The partnership in- tion District, Scott Watershed Man- Thumb, Planting for Clean Water cludes Credit River Township, Jack- agement Organization, Spring Lake Workshops again this year to help son Township, City of Prior Lake, Township and Vermillion River Wa- residents create their own raingar- Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed tershed Joint Powers Organization. dens and stabilize shorelines with na- Activities planned at parks tive plants. Raingardens and native Three Rivers Park District shorelines can slow rain water runoff, “Blue Thumb” workshop helps offers a variety of camps anchor soil, provide wildlife habitat, and filter pollutants from lawns. The Pages 8 & 9 couple resolve water problem Blue Thumb, Planting for Clean Wa- For awhile, Josh and Shelly Ru- ter program makes it easy for resi- ble of New Prague have been dealing dents interested in doing their part to with a lot of water moving through keep our waters clean. their yard. “For years, we’ve been Following the Blue Thumb work- frustrated with our backyard, not be- shops, residents will have the oppor- ing able to mow because of standing tunity to receive help designing and water, watching our fence sag, hav- creating raingardens and stabilizing ing water freeze as it flows over the their shoreline with native plants. sidewalk in the winter,” Shelly said, In addition, residents may receive a “We decided something had to be grant to help offset the costs of cre- done.” So last summer, the couple Conservation minded ating beautiful gardens with native attended a Blue Thumb workshop to plants. Workshops will be held the No-till rental equipment helps learn how a raingarden can reduce following dates and locations: runoff and improve drainage. landowners prevent erosion, After attending the workshop, the conserve soil moisture Tuesday, March 13, 6:15 p.m., Rubles discovered they learned a lot McColl Pond ELC, Savage; Page 11 more than they thought they would. Thursday, March 15, 6:15 p.m., “I really enjoyed the ‘before-and- Spring Lake Township Hall, Prior after’ photos,” Shelly noted, “It re- Lake ally made me excited. Not only were we going to be able to improve our The workshops are free, but reg- drainage problem in an environmen- istration is requested. Contact Dan tally-friendly way, but we were going Miller with the Scott Clean Water to end up with a beautiful garden as Education Program to register at well.” (952) 492-5424 -- or send an e-mail A raingarden is a depressed land- to [email protected]. For more scape feature planted with perennial The Rubles designed and in- stalled their own raingarden (in information about raingardens, native native plants or cultivars that help Schwartz serves veterans gardens, and stabilizing your shore- background) after attending the Blue Thumbs to Page 3 Blue Thumb workshops. Jackie Schwartz retired in line, visit www.bluethumb.org. January after serving Scott County veterans for 37 years. HHW Facility open monthly to collect Page 14 waste generated by local businesses To help small businesses properly wastes; however, shipping papers dispose of their Very Small Quan- may be required to transport these tity Generator (VSQG) waste, limited wastes. To dispose of all other waste types of waste will be accepted at the types or more than 100 lamps, please Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) contact Joan Anderson at (952) 496- PAID 55379 Facility. The first Tuesday of every 8477 to set up an appointment. PRSRT STD PRSRT month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon (ex- Several local utilities companies U.S. POSTAGE PERMIT No. 155 PERMIT SHAKOPEE, MN cluding major holidays, and the Dec. have agreed to pay for the disposal of 20 through Jan. 5 period of HHW clo- the first 10 lamps from any of their sure), the HHW facility will be open commercial and/or industrial cus- for small businesses to bring in certain HHW facility and the cost of disposal tomers. Be sure to bring proof of types of waste without an appoint- for each item, check the website at your business utility account, such ment. During this time, businesses www.co.scott.mn.us..... as a copy of your billing statement may bring in the following wastes: Please make sure all wastes are from Minnesota Valley Electric, New lamps (including broken lamps), transported in closed, sturdy, labeled Prague Utilities Commission, Shako- non-PCB ballasts, antifreeze, ap- containers to prevent spillage. Only pee Public Utilities, or Xcel Energy. pliances, batteries, electronics, oil, oil and antifreeze in 2½ gallon con- A short form will be provided for oil filters, and thermostats. tainers or smaller, and filters in five you to fill out asking for your busi- ECRWSS In order to determine which spe- gallon containers or smaller will be ness’ information. Payment is re- cific items can be brought to the accepted. quired at the time of collection in Businesses will not be charged an the form of cash or check (sorry, no application fee for wastes brought in credit cards). You will be given a re- POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL during these hours. Only the wastes ceipt for proof of disposal; keep this listed on the website will be accept- receipt for your records. ed during these hours. Absolutely The Scott County HHW Facility no business waste can be brought is located at 588 Country Trail East to the HHW Facility at any other (Highway 282), just ½ mile west of time without prior approval. We the intersection of County Road 17 can help businesses dispose of other and MN Highways 13 and 282. Scott County Government Center West Avenue 200 Fourth Shakopee, MN 55379-1220 Page 2 Scott County SCENE February/March 2012 Find Scott County’s home page at www.co.scott.mn.us Top of the SCENE Commissioners’ Corner By Gary Shelton County Board meetings through April 2012 Scott County Administrator February 14 -- County Board meeting February 21 -- no meeting County’s mission, vision are updated February 28 -- County Board meeting My predecessor once wrote that beginning in roughly 2002, Scott County was March 6 -- County Board meeting transitioning into a new phase of its life. With the decisions to build the Law En- March 13 -- County Board meeting forcement Center, the Regional Training Facility, the fiber optic backbone -- all March 20 -- no meeting watershed moments for the County -- and our emerging focus on regional parks, March 27 -- County Board meeting transit, electronic government initiatives, and shared services via the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE) and Families and Individu- April 3 -- County Board meeting als Sharing Hope (FISH), the County adopted five strategic initiatives creating a April 10 -- County Board meeting foundation for the future…. and boldly strode into the 21st Century. April 17 -- no meeting April 24 -- County Board meeting Grounded in realistic initiatives, well-defined objectives, and measurable tasks, Scott County has been at the forefront of developing a new emphasis on public The Scott County Board meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays (except if indicated above) accountability, enhanced community participation, and the creation of an entirely at the Government Center in Shakopee. Visit the Scott County website at www. different public service model. In 2002, none of us foresaw the economic crisis co.scott.mn.us to view streaming video of Board meetings, see Board agendas, that would soon envelop the nation. But ten years after we began this transforma- and read previous Board meeting minutes. The Board proceedings may also be tion, our initiatives focused on strong public partnerships, a supportive organiza- rebroadcast on your local government access cable channels. Refer to your weekly tional culture, fiscal stability, and customer service have become core values. In newspapers for broadcast dates and times. For further information about County short, our focus and rallying cry have become “Delivering What Matters.” Board meetings, contact the County Administration office at (952) 496-8100. From continued global economic woes to political difficulties throughout our Citizen Committee Vacancies state and the nation, the last several years have been very challenging for every- The Scott County Board of Commissioners is looking for interested citizens one. In the public sector, we’ve been tested to redefine our roles as public servants to serve on the following advisory committees. Members of advisory committees and reexamine the role of government – particularly local government – in our are provided with a per diem and mileage reimbursement for attendance at meet- society. While many of these issues continue to evolve, the Scott County Board ings. If you have any questions or are interested in serving on one of these com- of Commissioners recently took an action to help us reposition ourselves to better mittees, contact Deb Brazil at [email protected], or (952) 496-8601. For reflect our commitment to our citizens by adopting a new Scott County Mission more information regarding a specific committee, visit the Scott County website Statement: “To advance safe, healthy, and livable communities through citi- at www.co.scott.mn.us: click on “Your County Government,” then “Citizen Advi- zen-focused services.” Similarly, they adopted a new Vision Statement: “Scott sory Committees” or “Boards & Commissions.” County: Where individuals, families, and businesses thrive.” Board of Adjustment and Planning Advisory Commission (1 vacancy).