city of buffalo spring 2014 focused on two crossing incidents that resulted in prolonged blocked...
TRANSCRIPT
www.ci.buffalo.mn.us
Spring 2014
NewsletterNewsletterNewsletter
Inside This Issue
Compost Site Hours ........................................ Page 2
Community Donation Thanks ....................... Page 3
Wild Marsh ..................................................... Page 4
Election Judges Wanted ................................ Page 5
LED—Changing the Way We See ................ Page 6
Keep Our Lakes Clean ................................... Page 7
Directory ......................................................... Page 8
Today, April 16, 2014, representatives from the
City of Buffalo sat down with officials from
Canadian Pacific to review the railroad’s op-
erations through the area and recent con-
cerns about crossing issues. In particular, dis-
cussions focused on two crossing incidents
that resulted in prolonged blocked road-
ways.
City of Buffalo Mayor Brad Nauman, Chief of
Police Mitch Weinzetl and City Administrator
Merton Auger attended the Wednesday
meeting.
During the productive session, CP acknowl-
edged the situation was unacceptable and it
was taking action to ensure similar incidents
can be avoided in the future. CP agreed to
review internal processes regarding commu-
nications with the local community and law
enforcement and assess its train operation
procedures and protocols with staff and ap-
propriate railroad personnel.
City of BuffaloCity of BuffaloCity of Buffalo
Mayor’s MessageMayor’s MessageMayor’s Message
Mayor Nauman commented that the meeting
with officials from Canadian Pacific was very
productive. “We appreciate them listening to
our concerns and their willingness to work closely
with us to help ensure that traffic disruptions are
kept to a minimum. Public safety is the number
one priority of both The City of Buffalo and CP
Rail.” Both organizations are committed to work
together in the future to maintain that focus.
CP indicated that it would be following up with
the City of Buffalo as part of continued outreach
to the community.
Mayor Brad NaumanMayor Brad Nauman
City of Buffalo and Canadian Pacific meet to review operations through City.
Original published date: April 16, 2014 - City of Buffalo website
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 2
Green grass and budding
trees are true signs warmer
weather is on its way. Follow-
ing a few easy tips for your
yard will save you time,
money and water. Making
your landscape beautiful
and giving you more time to
enjoy the sunny days to
come.
The best time to water is early
morning, around 5am. Less
evaporation will occur and
your lawn and plants will
have time to dry off during
the day, so less chance for
disease to develop.
An established lawn and
landscape only need an inch
of water per week. If you are
able, water twice a week, ½”
The City of Buffalo currently
does not have watering re-
strictions and hopefully never
will. We all need to do our
part, use water wisely and
protect our precious water
resource!
at a time. Watering at this rate
will help roots grow deeper
and stronger.
Use a rain gauge to help de-
termine when you have wa-
tered enough.
Make sure when you are wa-
tering, water vegetation only,
NOT roadways, driveways or
sidewalks.
Try watering a day before
mowing. This will help your
lawn recover from the cutting
and it will look nicer as a result.
Place a layer of mulch around
your landscape plantings. The
mulch will help retain moisture
in the soil, so less watering is
needed.
Tips For Watering Your LawnTips For Watering Your Lawn
Parks and Recreation HappeningsParks and Recreation HappeningsParks and Recreation Happenings
The Concerts in the Park will begin June 26th, and run every Thursday night at 7 PM through August 28
th.
Visit www.ci.buffalo.mn.us for the schedule. If you are interested in donating to this great program, please contact the Parks Department @ 682-4132. See you at Sturges Park!
The Parkshore Pavilion will open in mid-May. Visit the Pavilion, or call 763-682-4590, if interested in renting a fishing boat, pontoon boat, canoe, paddle boat, or more! To reserve a boat before the Opener,
please contact Chris Fredrick at 763-682-0296. NEW this year: Stand up paddleboards!
Community Garden Plots are can be rented over the summer for $25. Garden sites are at Gary Mattson Park and West Pulaski Park. If interested in space for your own vegetables or flowers, this is it!
Sailboat Mooring If you own a sailboat, and would like to make using and storing it simple over the summer, keep it on beautiful Buffalo Lake! Visit the City website for more details.
Adopt-A-Park Program If you are interested helping maintain a City park, please contact the Parks Dept at 763-682-4132.
Ice Skating at the Buffalo Civic Center Please visit the Civic Center page on the City of Buffalo website for skating opportunities: www.ci.buffalo.mn.us
Compost
Site HOURs
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 3
Monday 10 PM - 8 PM
Wednesday 10 AM - 6 PM
Friday 10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday 8 AM - 4 PM
Compost Site is CLOSED on
Tuesdays, Thursdays &
Sundays.
Compost site users will need to obtain a compost window decal/
sticker for no charge and are available at the compost site on County Road 134 or
the City Center at 212 Central Ave.
Community Supports Flora and Community Supports Flora and Concerts in the Park ProgramsConcerts in the Park Programs
For the past several years, funds have been donated by citizens and businesses to support
the Flora of Buffalo beautification efforts as well as our Concerts in the Park programs. The
City of Buffalo recognizes and appreciates the following citizens and businesses for their
continuing support for the Flora of Buffalo program and the Concerts series for 2014.
Without your generosity, these events would not be possible! Both programs greatly
contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in this community that we call home.
FLORA DONATIONS
Adeline & Greg Eckblad
Andrew & Sherilyn Burgdorf
Anne & Karl Mueller
Anonymous Donor
Bernice Larson
Buffalo American Legion
Buffalo Downtown Renewal Assn.
Buffalo Eye Clinic
Buffalo Farmers Market
Buffalo Storage
Buffalo Tourism Bureau
Classics by the Lake
D.A. Schroeppel David & Denise Casey
David & Judie Rose
Debra Kosciololek
Deloris Michalicek
Del’s Lawn Service Dr. Marilee Heggem
Evelyn Hegeholz Frank & Marvel Korbel
Friends of the Buffalo Library Gerald & Ann Dirks Greg & Kristi Beyer
Jamie & Michael Reineccius Jerome & Sharon Kelly
Joanne Hatcher Joe Steffel
John Lundsten John Siffert
Julie & Barry Johnson Ken Goodale
Kid's Haven Child Care Liam & Ann Baucom-Orlofsky
Marcia Paulsen Family Marilyn Hoegmeyer
Martha & Norman Grimme Mary Jo Snare
Michael & Judy Steeber Michael & Lori Morrison
FLORA DONATIONS
Nancy Schroeppel Patrick Smyth
Pebble Ridge Cottage Townhome
Association
Richard & Michelle Flaata
Roland & Sandra Halsten
Ruth Ackmann
Sara Wolff
Steven Szarke of Szarke Law Office
Veronica Stifter
Vivian West
Warren Nelson
Wayne & Bonnie Feyereisn
Wayne & Sue Fingalson
William & Cheryl Neal
Wright to Serve
CONCERTS DONATIONS
1st MN Bank
ABATE
BankWest
Ben Watkins
Buff ‘n’ Glo Car Wash
Buffalo Eye Clinic
Coborn’s
Dave & Michelle Robinson
David & Denise Casey
Del’s Lawn Service Great River Regional Library
Kid’s Haven Child Care Lillians
McFadden Michael Steeber
Morrie’s Buffalo Ford Randy Anderson
RE/MAX – Jim DiOrio Veronica Stifter
William Neal
BUFFALO LOCATION HOURS
Monday—Wednesday 10 AM—8 PM
Thursday Noon—8 PM
Friday 11 AM—5 PM
Saturday
10 AM—2 PM
Sunday—Closed
For more information, call
763-682-2753 www.griver.org
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 4
Wild Marsh is now open for play! Wild Marsh is now open for play! Wild Marsh is now open for play!
Rates for Buffalo City Residents:
GREEN FEES
18 Hole Greens Fee $30
9 Hole Greens Fee $20
CART FEES
18 Hole Public Cart Fee $16 per person
9 Hole Public Cart Fee $8 per person
2014 SEASON PASS Single $799
Couple $1200
SENIOR 55+ SEASON PASS
Single $950
Couple $1550
SEASON PASS ADD-ONS
Season Cart Pass—Single $510
Season Cart Pass—Couple $820
Kids under age 12 Free (with parent)
Ages 12-18 add $80/ea.
Ages 19-23+ add $175/ea.
+ Must be full-time college student with valid student ID.
Junior Golf at Wild Marsh Golf ClubJunior Golf at Wild Marsh Golf ClubJunior Golf at Wild Marsh Golf Club Junior Golf Course
Wild Marsh has a special Junior Golf Course set up on the front 9 and back 9.
There are special PGA plates in the fairways or tee box on each hole. Pick up
a scorecard at the front counter. You can also watch for the yellow dots on the
cart paths to assist in locating the tee markers.
Kids Play Free On Saturday and Sunday evenings after 4:00 p.m., kids under the age of 17
can play free with a paid parent.
Junior Lessons Junior lessons are for juniors ages 7 to 12. Stop by the front counter or go to
our website, www.wildmarsh.com for more information.
Click on the Golf tab, then the Junior Golf tab.
Junior League Our junior league is for golfers ages 12 to 17. This is a 9 hole league on
Monday mornings starting at 8:15. Stop by the front counter or go to our
website for more information.
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 5
The 2014 Primary and General elections are scheduled for August 12th and November 4th.
The City will need election judges for both dates. If you would like to serve as an election
judge, here are the criteria:
Judges must be residents of the City of Buffalo. Training is provided over an after-noon or evening and all judges, even those who have served in prior elections, are required to take this training. The training sessions are usually held in the summer-time. A commitment to serve both of the dates of the primary and general election is important. The election statutes require that there be a balance of Democrats and Republicans working in each precinct, so prospective judges must prepare to state what party they belong to.
The City encourages that youth are involved and welcomes high school students to serve as election judges in training. Judges are paid $7.25 per hour and are provided meals and snacks on both election days.
If you are interested in serving as an election judge at the fall elections, please contact us by May 31,
2014 by calling 763-684-5407 or by applying through our website at
www.ci.buffalo.mn.us.
IDENTITY THEFTIDENTITY THEFT
Have you been a victim of Identity Theft?
Do you want to know how to protect yourself
from Identity Theft?
Minnesota Crime Prevention Association's
Crime Prevention Tips for Identity Theft
presented by the Buffalo Police Department
can be found at the following link:
http://www.ci.buffalo.mn.us/Police/Programs/
Crime%20Related/Crime%20Prevention/crime%
20main%20page.htm
BUFFALO WIRELESS
INTERNET GROUP
5Mbps—$39.99/month
3Mbps—$29.99/month
1Mbps—$19.99/month
Senior Discounted Rates
Also Available!
763-684-5423 www.bwig.net
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 6
LED Lighting Technology Changing the way we see...
LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting is a new technology that can efficiently light our homes in a whole new way. How it works is that an electrical current passes through a semicon-ductor material, this completes the electrical circuit and visible light glows from the clear small LED bulbs. Because of the size, brightness, and construction of LEDs they have become a very efficient and durable lighting technology. The only setback on this new technology is that they tend to cost a little more. LEDs use much less electricity than other bulbs, have extremely long-rated lives, produce very little heat, do not emit UV or infrared, contain no mercury, are resistant to shock and vibration, and can operate effectively in extremely cold environments.
Look at the FAQs at this link and see if anything else here is helpful... http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/lighting/guide#switch
Buffalo Utility Customers: Free LED Light Bulbs - Now THAT’S a bright idea!
The City of Buffalo Utilities is providing a kit of three 60 watt equivalent light bulbs to the first 500 respondents. The program kicks off on June 1st. Look for the flyer in your next utility bill to find out more info. To receive a free LED kit, please complete and send in the prepaid redemption post card that will be sent out shortly after the June billing.
The City of Buffalo Bright Ideas LED Light Bulb Kit comes with three A-Lamp (your normal socket size) 60 watt equivalents, dimmable bulbs that use less than 1/4 the amount of energy as their traditional lamps. The goal of the program is the help the residents connect with quality Energy Star products that are new to the market and can help save energy and long term dollars for your home and the community.
Welcome Home - City of Buffalo Buffalo Civic Center
Buffalo Community Center Buffalo Police Department, Minnesota
Buffalo Wine and Spirits BWIG - Buffalo Wireless Internet Group
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 7
Minnesota is a beautiful state, with an amazing bountiful resource…water!
In Buffalo we are fortunate to have two lakes to enjoy! Each has its own special
characteristics, but both need to be protected from pollution, and misuse, so we can
enjoy them for years to come.
Here are just a few things we can do to help protect our lakes:
In the winter, use less salt on your driveway and sidewalk. The chloride from road salt is
building up in lakes and aquifers that receive runoff from the roadways.
Plant a rain garden, or use a rain barrel to catch water from your roof for watering
houseplants or landscape.
Consider using permeable pavement in your driveway or walkway. Runoff that stays
on your property will not wash contaminants into streams and other surface water.
Never dump paint, wastes, oil, or any chemical into a storm drain. Storm sewers often
run directly into rivers and lakes.
If you live on a lake, stream or wetland, plant a buffer strip of native plants along the
water. If you have a lakeside lawn, keep it small, and use environmentally friendly fer-
tilizer.
When boating, observe no wake zone areas. Big wakes and waves erode shorelines.
If you fish, use non toxic tackle. Loons, trumpeter swans and other waterfowl are sus-
ceptible to contracting lead poisoning from lead tackle they pick up off of lake bot-
toms.
When leaving a lake or waterway after boating, always empty your bilge. Remove
any aquatic plants from the boat, ropes, anchor, or other equipment used while boat-
ing, at the boat landing.
If you are interested in more conservation tips, please contact Cara Hesse with the City of
Buffalo Water Department at 763-684-5432 or [email protected].
Ways to Keep Our Lakes Clean
Administrative Offices ..... 682-1181 Buffalo Allied Transit 763-477-8596 Buffalo Wine & Spirits ..... 682-2234 Building Inspector ........... 684-0383 BWIG Help Desk ............. 684-5423 Civic Center .................... 682-4132 Community Center .......... 682-6036 Downtown Wine & Spirits 682-1138 Electrical Inspector .......... 684-0321 Fax Admin. Office ........... 682-6376 Library ............................. 682-2753 Utilities Services Campus 682-5370 Parkshore Pavilion .......... 682-4590 Police Non Emergency.... 682-5976 Streets/Parks Facility ...... 682-0006 TDD ................................ 682-6158 Utility Billing ..................... 682-1001 Utility Locations……..651-454-0002 or 811 Water Plant ..................... 682-4040 Wild Marsh Golf Course…….... 682-4476 Wright County Communications 682-7600 FIRE AND POLICE EMERGENCY 911
Website: www.ci.buffalo.mn.us
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, M-F After hours call 682-1181 for a recording of on-duty phone numbers.
Administrator: Merton Auger Assistant Administrator: Laureen Bodin Community Center Director: Sue Kolbinger Fire Chief: John Harnois Liquor Stores Manager: Jason Swanson Parks & Rec Director: Lee Ryan Police Chief: Mitch Weinzetl Utilities Director: Joseph Steffel Wild Marsh General Manager: Joe Malone Wild Marsh Grounds Supt.: Eric Ritter
Staff DirectoryStaff DirectoryStaff Directory
City of BuffaloCity of BuffaloCity of Buffalo
Service DirectoryService DirectoryService Directory
Spring 2014 City of Buffalo 8
City Council City Council City Council
DirectoryDirectoryDirectory
Brad Nauman Mayor
1310 Grandview Circle Buffalo MN 55313
682-9075 [email protected]
Steve Downer
Council Member 809 Myrtle Street Buffalo MN 55313
682-1064 [email protected]
Scott Enter
Council Member 607 7th Street Court NW
Buffalo MN 55313 684-5274
Teri Lachermeier Council Member
203 Hwy 55 Buffalo MN 55313
682-6486 [email protected]
Paul Olson
Council Member 1507 Anne Circle Buffalo MN 55313
682-1620 [email protected]