Halloween week is a good time for this e-update, because it concerns some issues that have scary consequences if not handled well. This update contains a new survey, an announcement of an upcoming town meeting, and news about the following topics:
RISKS TO OUR DRINKING WATER. About 90{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of Dakota County residents rely on groundwater as their primary drinking water source, whether from municipal or private wells. With the
County’s population expected to grow by more than 12{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} to nearly 500,000 residents by 2030, greater demand is placed on a limited resource, particularly in the most populated areas of the county. In addition to the quantity of drinking water being a concern, the quality of our drinking water is also at risk from surface pollution and naturally occurring chemicals, like manganese. Efforts are underway to address current and emerging threats to the County’s drinking water. To read more about water testing and studies as well as a current update underway to Dakota County’s Groundwater Plan, click here. To read a detailed Research Summary prepared for the County Board in September 2019, click here. To directly receive updates on the groundwater plan, or tell us your comments, concerns and ideas, send an email to groundwater@co.dakota.mn.us, or to me at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us.
SHOULD DAKOTA COUNTY WATER BE SHIPPED TO ARIZONA? The Minnesota DNR is reviewing and evaluating an application to ship groundwater from Dakota County via rail to communities near the Colorado River in the southwestern United States. This is not an April Fool’s joke. The request calls for up to 500 million gallons of groundwater to be removed and shipped each year. The request proposes installing two wells in Dakota County. This is unprecedented in Minnesota history, representing a new kind of water use. It has me deeply concerned, especially in light of the issue about the adequacy of water quantity in Dakota County in the future.
STORM DAMAGE TOPS $1.5 MILLION. There was no lack of water when heavy rains and flooding struck Dakota County during March storms that caused significant damage countywide. The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) has determined the extent of damages in Dakota County to be $1,586,860. This qualifies Dakota County and local cities for federal grant assistance.
INTERVIEW. This interview provided a nice chance to thank the terrific volunteers and generous donors who have helped the IGH Days Parade Food Drive collect over 35,000 pounds of donations for Neighbors food shelf. We have been organizing the Parade Food Drive to assist local families in need for the past 23 years. Thanks to all who have helped and donated!
BIG STEP FOR LEBANON HILLS PARK IN EAGAN. The County Board is expected to provide final approval this week for an updated Natural Resources Management Plan at Dakota County’s largest park. Read more about the plan by clicking here.
VETERANS DAY. Dakota County has the honor of hosting the official State of Minnesota Veterans Day Event again this year. The Veterans Day program will take place at 10am on November 11th at the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center. This a fitting place for the event, since Inver Grove’s veterans played such a huge role in making the facility possible. I was mayor when the Vets Center was constructed, and I will never forget the 17 meetings with members of American Legion Post #424. Without their advice, approval and support, I can say with certainty the Vets Center would not exist.
ROSEMOUNT TOWN MEETING: Saturday, November 9th, 10:00am – 11:30am, Robert Trail Library. Please join me for a town meeting. The format is simple. I provide a brief update on County activities, leaving the majority of the time for constituent comments, concerns and questions.
STOPLIGHT ON COUNTY ROAD 42? I am pushing for installation of a stoplight at County Road 42 and Akron in Rosemount. At some times of day, there are so few gaps in heavy traffic on County Road 42 that some drivers on cross streets like Akron to take ill-advised chances to get onto or cross 42. Please let me know your thoughts by attending my town meeting on November 9th and/or by weighing in on the survey below. You can also email me at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us or call me at (651) 438-4430.
STINK SPARKS SUIT. The City of Newport joined a lawsuit by South St. Paul residents against Sanimax, which operates an animal-products recovery plant across the Mississippi River from Newport in South St. Paul. The Pioneer Press article states that Newport “sometimes smells like it had beans for dinner [and] can’t attract residents, according to Mayor Dan Lund.” Read more about it here.
DID YOU KNOW? Dakota County is studying the idea of reintroducing bison to a County park. Historically, bison were an important part of the County’s landscape, but are no longer found here in the wild. Learn more about the idea by clicking here. Provide your input in a brief survey by clicking here. My understanding is there is significant grant funding available for such an project.
INVER GROVE’S NEWEST – AND RAREST – RESIDENT. Click here to read about what was spotted living along the Pine Bend Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.
WORKFORCE HOUSING. Located at Akron Avenue and 141st Street, the grand opening for the Dakota County CDA’s 40-unit Prestwick Place takes place this week and is the second workforce townhome development in Rosemount. The building includes six one-bedroom units, two two-bedroom accessible units, 19 two-bedroom units, and 13 three-bedroom units. There will be an on-site caretaker.
DAKOTA COUNTY EMERGENCY SHELTER OPENS FRIDAY. Dakota County works with Matrix Services and local churches to operate a winter shelter from November 1, 2019 through mid-April, 2020. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering, click on http://www.
CAHILL PLACE. Also this week is the groundbreaking for Cahill Place, 40 units geared toward families with children who have struggled with housing stability or homelessness and need some added support. The building will have staff on duty at all hours, will be secure, will have two or three bedrooms per unit, and will include early childhood and school-age programming space.
SCAM ALERT. A scammer who says he is Lieutenant Ryan Steinson of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office is calling local residents. The scammer tells local people they were sent a summons to report for jury duty, failed to show up, and are now in contempt of court with an active warrant. They are told to clear the warrant they will need to pay a bail of $2,000. A telltale sign that these are scam calls is that the caller seeks payment over the phone, usually by credit card, gift card, or other means. Do not be fooled. Please call 911 and verify any call you receive that requests payment over the phone by law enforcement.
DID YOU KNOW? Dakota County once stretched 421 miles west to the Missouri River, in what is now South Dakota. At over 14,000 square miles, Dakota County was larger than the states of Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.
NASA GETS HELP FROM LOCAL STUDENT. Congrats to Inver Grove’s Brandan Schmitz on being offered a position by NASA before even finishing college. A 2017 Simley grad and Eagle Scout, Brandan is a junior at the University of Jamestown who has spent the past two summers interning at NASA. During a NASA presentation this past summer, Brandan was called out from the audience, where it was announced that the technology/research he had worked on his first year, was going to be used for the next phase of the space program.
SCHOOL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FUNDED. Several local schools received grants to improve school safety. For example, Simley High School and Pine Bend Elementary in Inver Grove Heights received funding for secured entrances and improved communication systems. The following Dakota County school districts received grants:
West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan: $215,000
Inver Grove Heights Schools: $171,000
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan: $28,650
Lakeville Area Public Schools: $285,800
Read more, and see specific projects on a spreadsheet, by clicking here.
WORLD SERIES RING. While our Minnesota Twins will have to wait until next season for a shot at a World Series ring, the wait is over for Maggie Kadrlik of Inver Grove. Maggie led Augustana University to victory in the 2019 College World Series. An All-American, Maggie led the Vikings in nearly every offensive category, ranking among the nation’s best hitters. Maggie is also a first-team academic All-American, with an impressive 3.85 GPA. Congratulations, Maggie!
DID YOU KNOW? The worst and most mysterious train accident in Dakota County’s history took place 107 years ago on October 15, 1912. The “Wreck of the Ten Spot” occurred shortly after 6am in a dense fog and darkness that shrouded the swing bridge over the Mississippi River from St. Paul to South St. Paul. If you like “Perry Mason” or “Matlock” episodes, recent historic research offers up a surprising twist in explaining how the train wreck may have actually happened. Read more about it by clicking here.
DAKOTA COUNTY THOMPSON PARK SURVEY. Dakota County is updating the Thompson Park Master Plan and creating a Natural Resources Management Plan for the park. Learn about the plans at open houses on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 5:30–7:30pm at Dakota Lodge in Thompson Park, and Thursday, Nov. 7 from 5–7pm at Wentworth Library. Or you can view plans and more information by clicking here, and weigh in an online survey by clicking here.
DID YOU KNOW? You’re invited to join me at Old World Pizza on Wednesday, November 6th, 4:30pm – 7:00pm. I have had the chance to serve our area for 30 years now – as a mayor, school board member, legislator, and now on as a county commissioner – and I’d like to say thanks. Please join me for pizza. (To help with expenses, donations are welcome but not required.)
50 YEARS. Speaking of service, I can’t hold a candle to Rosemount Firefighter Pete Lundell. Congrats and thank you to Pete for his 50 years of service!
TOBACCO SALES AGE RISES TO 21 IN WSP. West St. Paul recently became the 49th city in Minnesota to raise the sales age for tobacco products to 21. Read more about it here.
GAS PIPELINE PLANNED FROM ROSEMOUNT TO INVER GROVE. Flint Hills Resources is planning to build a five-mile-long underground pipeline to transport liquefied petroleum from its refinery in Rosemount to its terminal in Inver Grove Heights. Read more about it here.
“WHERE IS THE MOST HAUNTED PLACE IN DAKOTA COUNTY?” Not wanting to scare the third-grade boy who asked me this question, I told him there are no ghosts here. However… If you get a kick out of such things, local legend has it that the most haunted place in Dakota County is in Inver Grove Heights, near Cub Foods. Starting in 1975 and as recently as 2013, there have been four reports of ghost sightings at or near 78th and Cahill. These include the sound of a loud horse riding by on 78th Street but unable to be seen (1975); a ghost in multiple rooms of a single townhome, which was witnessed by two people (1985); the spirit of a woman who eyewitnesses called the “garbage lady” (1987); and a man who vanished before a witness’s eyes while walking on 78th Street in a rainstorm (June 21, 2013). While I have not seen any ghosts at 78th and Cahill, I have noticed that french fries from McDonald’s drive-thru always seem to disappear during the short trip to my house. Hmm.
SURVEY. I would appreciate your input. You can weigh in by replying to this email, or anonymously by clicking here.
1. Tobacco & Vaping Sales Age. Do you believe the State should follow West St. Paul’s lead and adopt a statewide law that requires purchasers of tobacco and vaping products be at least 21 years of age?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Unsure
2. Drinking Water. How concerned are you about the quantity and quality of drinking water in Dakota County?
A. Very concerned
B. Somewhat concerned
C. Not concerned
3. Dakota County Water to Southwest U.S. What is your initial impression of the possibility of groundwater being shipped from Dakota County to the southwest U.S.?
A. This seems like a bad idea; we should keep our water here.
B. It seems like a good idea and a good way to help those in need.
C. Unsure. Need more information.
4. Stoplight on County Road 42. Would you like to see a stoplight installed on County Road 42 at Akron in Rosemount?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Unsure
As always, I welcome questions and additional comments. I can be reached at (651) 438-4430 or at Joe.Atkins@co.dakota.mn.us. I hope you will also consider joining me at events listed above. Thanks.
Joe
