City of Rockford—Newsletter

The Bridge

Mayor’s Message

Michael A. Beyer

Spring is here and the first two city events have come and gone.  The City Wide Clean Up Day on May 5th was a big “get rid of the trash” year.  It was nice to see residents take advantage of that day and thanks for some of the stuff I took home.  The following day was the Fire Department’s Annual Pancake Breakfast. I want to thank all the people who donated door prizes and to congratulate those who won. A big thank you to all of you that were there to show your support.  The department will put your financial support to good use in upgrading some much needed equipment.

Construction has begun on the new Public Works Facility. This Facility is located at the existing Public Works site. After many hours of looking at what was needed and how to finance it, the Council has approved what we feel will be the best bang for our buck and a building that will service our needs for many years to come. 

During the planning of the new facility, it was decided to utilize the excess dirt that was being removed to help “beef” up our levee. Taking the dirt down to the levee saved us a substantial amount of money in both not having to buy it and truck it in to add to the levee at a later date, along with the cost of removing and hauling it to another location.  We are still aggressively seeking funding to repair the levee between the two bridges in town.

When you head out of town going west, you will notice the new water tower being constructed.  This will add the much needed storage of water to service the new homes as well as existing homes. This added storage is being primarily paid for by new home connection fees.

As residents may be aware a bill had been drafted by our Senator and Representative requesting the boundary of Wright County be extended into the Hennepin County portion of the city, so that the city would be in one county.  Recently this bill was passed and signed by Governor Pawlenty. The bill still needs to be approved by the taxpayers of Hennepin and Wright County. The question for approval will be on the 2008 general election ballot.

I want to wish all of you a safe and enjoyable summer and as always thank you for calling Rockford home.  See you around town.

Mike

Administrator’s Report

Nancy Carswell

Time flies when you’re having fun…we are already half way through the year! The city council has scheduled a workshop meeting for June 19^th to prioritize goals for 2008. The question remains on whether the city should build a new city hall or wait. Preliminary plans and budget information have been prepared. The city’s financial consultant has also provided information as to how this project may financially impact the taxpayers.

The city council reviewed a revised plat for the Parkwood Residential Development, located south of Hwy. 55. The plat included additional town homes and smaller single family lots. The council denied the plat revision because they did not feel the new plan was in the best interest of the city.

The River Run Residential Development located south of Hwy. 55 at the end of Maple St. has begun the installation of utilities and the roads.

In this addition of the Bridge you will find all the fun and exciting activities planned for the River Days Festival.

Have a safe summer and I hope to see you at River Days

The Bridge Page: 2

The City Wide Garage Sales are planned for June 14th, June 15th and June 16th. This is a great time to clean out those closets and recycle those items you no longer need or use. Flyers will be distributed giving the sales locations and a brief notation of available items at each address. The flyers will be available at City

Hall and area businesses. To participate contact city hall.

Mark your calendars for “Music in the Park” on June 12th and July 10th at 7:00 p.m. This event will be held at the gazebo area in Riverside Park. Come join your neighbors for music, face painting and a play jumper for the kids. Rockford’s Children First will host a community wide NATIONAL NIGHT OUT on August 7th beginning at 6:00 p.m. This event will take place in Riverside Park. The Fire Dept. and Wright County Sheriff’s Dept. will be attending to talk about neighborhood safety. This event is still in the planning stages. A list of activities will be available at a later date. For additional information contact Trish at 477-3443 or visit the city’s website at www.cityofrockford.org

Come join your neighbors for a Safe Night Out.

The Rockford River Days Festival celebrates it’s 25th year. Listed below is a tentative schedule of the

events. The Medallion Hunt begins Monday August 6th. The first clue will be posted in the South Crow River

News and the city’s website. Daily clues will be posted on the city’s website until the medallion is

found. The city’s website will have the most current listing of events and times as the Festival

date draws near. All activities take place in Riverside Park unless otherwise indicated.

FRIDAY August 10th ● Lion Club Fish Fry (all you can eat) - 6:00-8:00 ● Dance “Diamond Back” 8:00 p.m.-Midnight SATURDAY August 11th Volleyball Tournament:            8:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast 8:30-10:30 a.m. ● 5 K Run: (Walnut St.)  9:00 a.m. ● Cub Mobile Race 9:30 a.m. ● Cribbage Tournament:              10:00 a.m. - 1:00 ● Carnival games 11:00 a.m. River Raft Race:                        1:00 p.m. East/West Softball Game/Tower Field 1:00 p.m. ● Bingo:                           1:30 p.m.. - 3:30 p.m ● Duck Drop Race buy your ducks in Riverside Park prior to 3:00 p.m. ● Lions Club Pork Chop Dinner:   4:00 p.m. ● Dance “Shag” 8:00 p.m. - Midnight

SUNDAY August 12th ● Volleyball Tournament continues ● Lions Club Turkey Legs & Sandwiches 11:00 ● Paws & Wheels” Kiddie Parade Noon Kids should decorate their bikes or wagons and bring along their pets. For ages K-5. Parents must walk along with their child. The participants line up at the Middle School, on Ash St. at 11:30 a.m. Parade ends at Riverside Park. Free face painting and ice cream for the kids in the parade. Contact Trish at 763-477-3443. Parade 1:00 p.m. Starts at the Rockford Mall ● Carnival games continue ● Quilt Drawing:                         3:00 p.m. New This Year: Coronation of the Rockford Ambassador’s will be held at Riverside Park at 4:00 p.m. Admission is Free.

SANITARY SEWER Over the past few years the City of Rockford has experienced an ever-growing problem with disposable diapers and other types of debris that are being flushed into the city’s sanitary sewer systems. The Public Works Dept. has been pulling one pump every 2-3 days to unplug it due to disposable diapers plugging the pump. The pumps in the Sewage Lift Stations are not designed to handle disposable diapers and miscellaneous debris. The flushing of these items is causing the pumps to wear out prematurely. The replacement of one pump can cost up to $5,000.00 which is Funded by tax dollars. The city urges residents to help eliminate this problem by not flushing debris, specifically disposal diapers down their toilets. The Public Works Staff have also noted that hypodermic needles are also being flushed into the sanitary sewer system. The flushing of these needles pose an endangerment to the Public Works Staff. Permit Information about Decks, Fences and Garages This time of year staff receives many inquires about decks, fences, sheds and garages. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Decks require a building permit and should be placed not closer than 29’ from the front property line, or 9’ from the side property line, or 19’ from the rear property line. Two set of deck plans need to be submitted with the permit as well as a lot survey showing the location of the deck. Fences should not be placed any closer than 3’ from the property line and if installed within the 10’ utility easement, be aware that if the utilities have to be dug up the utility company or the city will not replace the fence. Garages: an attached garage cannot be closer than 10’ from the side property line, or 25’ from the rear property line, and is not allowed in a front yard. A detached garage may be placed 10’ from the side property line, 12.5’ from the rear property line and not closer than 35’ from the front property line. Sheds larger then 10’ x 12’ require a building permit. They need to be placed 8’ from both the rear and side property lines. Sheds with footings or a cement slap require a permit no matter, the size of the structure. For additional permit information contact city hall at 763-477-6565.

LIBRARY SUMMER ACTIVITIES Reading Program June 11th-August 11th ages 0-12 * June 11th 5-7 p.m. - Ice Cream Social. Make a jungle in the library. Craft supplies provided. * June 19th 5-5:30 p.m. “ZOOMAN” Don’t miss this 1/2 hour program packed with fun & excitement. Endangered species info. & live animals * July 24th 4:30 p.m. RUSTY’S ROCKIN JAMBOREE Get ready for some high energy fun, songs & tricks Wednesdays - 1-2:00 p.m. Ages 6-Adults * June 13th - Make trees & animals for bulletin board * June 20th - Monkey treats, healthy eats * June 27th - Puppet & mask creations * July 11th - Collages * July 18th - Needlework “Experts” will be on hand to teach basics. Bring your own project or borrow Materials provided for use in the library * July 25th - No Crafts * Aug. 1st - Seed pictures. * Aug. 8th - Photography - learn the basics on framing up and choosing great shots. Bring your camera For ages 3-8, limit 25, pre-register 1/2 hour before program begins. Sponsored by Rockford Children First & Friends of the Library. Mon. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Wed. 10:30-11:15 a.m. Story Topics June 13th - Jungle Facts & Stories June 20th & 25th - Monkey Treats - Healthy Eats June 27th - Deb Milo - Lizard stories and a live Komodo Dragon July 9th & 11th - Movin’ through the Jungle July 16th & 18th - Tea party - stories and samples July 25th - Deb Milo - Volcano - Pre-register July 9th Make and erupt a volcano Ages 4-10 July 30th & Aug. 1st Go Bananas Stories & Treats Aug. 6th - 7:15 p.m. Fire Trucks Stories & Crafts - Deb Milo - limit 25 ages 3-6 Fire Dept. Rockford Firefighters will visit with a fire truck. Aug. 8th - Things to be when I grow Up! Rockford Public Library 8220 Cedar Street 763-477-4216 www.griver.org

Grass – Weeds – Outdoor Watering

Please help keep our neighborhoods looking good by complying with the city’s grass & weed ordinance. This ordinance states that grass or weeds exceeding 12” in height are considered a nuisance. Noxious weeds are also an ordinance

violation. The even-odd watering ban is in effect year round. The ban allows residents with even numbered addresses to water outdoors on even numbered days and odd numbered addresses to water on odd numbered days.

Rockford Elected Officials

Mayor: Michael Beyer

Council Members: Greg Altringer, Troy Nichols,

Scott Seymour and Jeannette Graner

City Administrator: Nancy Carswell

Public Works Supervisor: Dennis Peterson

Police: Non Emergency Numbers

Wright County Sheriff’s Dept.: 763-682-1162

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Dept.: 763-525-6216

CITY OF ROCKFORD REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS

City Council: 7:00 p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesday City Hall

Planning Commission: 7:00 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thursday City Hall

Park Commission: 6:00 p.m. 1st Tuesday City Hall

Fire Relief Association: 8:00 p.m. 1st Monday Fire Station

City of Rockford

6031 Main Street,

Rockford, MN 55373

City Hall : 763-477-6565

Fax: 763-477-4393

Public Works: 763-477-4346

City Hall Hours

Mon-Fri. 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Website

www.cityofrockford.org