On August 30, 2021, Sheriff Hutchinson announced a new program dedicated to fighting a common type of phone scam: individuals posing as law enforcement agencies and demanding payment for a missed court date, jury duty, or other legal matter. The new program is called “Cops Don’t Call for Cash” and is focused on educating the public on the fact that law enforcement agencies will never contact individuals via phone or email to ask for any kind of payment.

“For years, criminals have been posing as law enforcement and demanding payment for some non-existent legal issue,” said Sheriff David Hutchinson. “These scams are often quite sophisticated and are designed to make people feel panicked. Fortunately, this is one of those issues for which education is really the answer. That’s why we gave this program the title Cops Don’t Call for Cash. Simply remember the name and you’ll be able instantly spot a phone scam.”

In these types of phone scams, criminals tell the recipient that there is a warrant out for their arrest because they missed a federal court appearance and are in contempt. The phone scammers tell residents that they will be arrested unless they pay a fine. The scammers often encourage residents to purchase prepaid money transfer cards, such as MoneyPak, call the scammer back, and read them the numbers on the cards. These scammers often have technology to make it appear that they are calling from a legitimate law enforcement agency phone number.

The Cops Don’t Call for Cash Campaign aims to eliminate this type of phone scam through a robust, multi-agency awareness campaign, led by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement agencies will only contact individuals who owe a monetary fine via mail and will never contact individuals via phone or email to ask for any kind of payment. If individuals receive such a call, they should remember the phrase “Cops Don’t Call for Cash,” refuse to provide any personal information or make any payments to the caller.

Anyone who believes they have been victimized by a scam caller should record the caller’s number, save any voicemails that may have been left by the caller, and contact their local law enforcement agency.

Individuals should not rely on caller ID or recorded messages to verify the origin of a phone call. In some cases, phone scammers can use technology to appear as if they are calling from a legitimate law enforcement or government agency number. Scammers have also been known to create fraudulent recorded messages that identify their number as originating from law enforcement.

If you are uncertain about the identity of a caller, hang up the phone, locate the official phone number of the agency, and call the number directly.

Renovations are underway at Hunter Lions Park (located at 3195 Hunter Drive). Installation of storm sewer pipe will take place where the current ball field is located, followed by excavation of the tennis courts. This is a phased project and work will be ongoing. While we regret any inconvenience to our residents and park guests, we are very excited for the updates to come!  A new tennis court and four pickleball courts will be constructed in the north east corner of the park. The baseball diamond will be reoriented, playground expanded, full basketball court added, and a paved trail with event pods will lead park users to the back nature area.

Click to view Hunter Lions Master Plan Map

Project Background 

On June 16, 2020, the City Council authorized the City to enter into an agreement with WSB to create a master plan for Hunter Lions Park. Throughout the remainder of the year, staff and the Park Commission worked with WSB Landscape Architect Candace Amberg on the project. The project involved a site visit to discuss initial aging park equipment and potential redesign options to optimize the functionality, safety, and recreational enjoyment at Hunter Lions Park. WSB created three layout options for Park Commission consideration, which was presented to the Park Commission at their August 19, 2020 meeting. The Park Commission reviewed and recommended refinement of those designs to one concept plan to be posted online for public feedback. The City sought public feedback of the concept plan through the website using a program called Social PinPoint to allow resident feedback. The public engagement period was advertised through the Medina Message mailed newsletter, email blasts, social media, and the City’s website.  

On October 21, 2020, the Park Commission reviewed the design changes based on the public feedback, project costs, and discussed staging the improvements over the course of several years due to the limited funds in the Municipal Park Fund.  On March 2, 2021, the City Council adopted the final Hunter Lions Park Master Plan.

Project to be Constructed in Seven Phases – Click to view Master Plan with Seven Phases

Phase 1: Reorient ballfield backstop (remove existing basketball court) 

Phase 2: Construct tennis & pickleball courts 

Phase 3: Construct new basketball court, remove existing volleyball court, construct new trails 

Phase 4: Expand playground with new equipment, add new site amenities 

Phase 5: New site amenities to include picnic tables, receptacles, picnic shelter on pad 

Phase 6: Install event pods along trail 

Phase 7: Natural resource management, prairie kiosk signs, prairie & creek enhancements, prairie benches 

UPDATES

9/21/21:  Mayor Kathleen Martin’s Statement and Determination Regarding Conducting Meetings by Telephone or Other Electronic Means – effective immediately to return to virtual meetings.

6/3/21:  Mayoral Statement and Determination Regarding Conducting Meetings In-person starting June 30 2021

6/15/20:  City Hall is open for in-person service at the service window located at the lower level planning entrance. To minimize the amount of people in the office at any given time, employees will continue to work a combination of hours from home and in the office. Please schedule an appointment with the appropriate employee/department to ensure you can receive proper service while visiting City Hall. Employee contact information can be found at: https://medinamn.us/contact-us/staff-directory/.

5/18/20:  Playgrounds are open- Play equipment is not sanitized, use precautionary measures to keep your family safe.

3/17/20: City Council and Commissions begin to hold telephonic/virtual meetings pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.021 – until further notice. Links to join upcoming meetings can be found at: https://medinamn.us/citygov/agenda-n-minutes/featured-page-3/.

3/16/20: Mayor declares local emergency.

Mayoral Declaration No 2020-01 finding local emergency exists at the City of Medina, Minnesota

Mayor Statement and Determination Regarding Conducting Meetings by Telephone or Other Electronic Means

Resolution Extending Mayor Declared Local Emergency

(Excerpts from State Statutes in reference to emergency declarations and telephonic meetings)

Additional Resources and Information

• COVID-19 Vaccine Connector Tool – https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/connector
• Hennepin Homeownership Preservation Program – https://www.hocmn.org/HennepinHPP/
• https://covidcalculator.hennepin.us/ – The COVID Calculator will help you better calculate and understand recommendations for quarantines
• https://www.hennepin.us/business-support
• COVID-19 Business Relief Payments | Minnesota Department of Revenue (state.mn.us)
• https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief
• https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/holidays.html#halloween
• Business4BusinessMSP.com
• https://www.hennepin.us/economic-development/programs/Emergency-relief
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (COVID-19 Facts)
• Minnesota Department of Health (COVID-19 Guidance)
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) – Information and Resources
• A Guide for Minnesota Small Businesses that Need Help (from DEED)
• https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
• https://www.sba.gov/content/sba-disaster-loans-minnesota-small-businesses-impacted-covid-19
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans Now Available
• Lake Minnetonka Emergency Management Group’s COVID-19 Response
• https://home.treasury.gov/cares
• Mental Health and Relieving Anxiety around COVID-19: https://youtu.be/IaldMzbiKj8 
• Business District COVID-19 Response Toolkit from Hennepin County
• Hennepin County – Emergency Rental Assistance due to COVID-19

Over the past several months, Three Rivers Park District has been working with Medina and other communities to collect feedback on the master plan for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail (DLRT). This master plan contemplates a future north-south regional trail in western Hennepin County, including potentially through Medina.

Establishing a master trail plan with identified preferred routes will help local officials secure the land for the trail as development occurs over several years or decades. The Diamond Lake Regional trail will be constructed in segments over the course of many years as development occurs and land can be secured along the trail route.

In response to the public feedback and the direction of the Medina City Council, Three Rivers is no longer evaluating any regional trail options which would extend south of the Hamel Road right-of-way in Medina.

The Medina City Council and Park Commission have requested that Three Rivers Park District instead study and seek public comments on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City.  The routes currently under consideration are on this map for quick reference.

The City Council and Park Commission desire to collect feedback and gage support for a regional trail which could serve the growing and more densely populated neighborhoods of northeast Medina with a paved, multi-use trail for walking, running, biking and in-line skating.

The regional trail would be envisioned to provide a grade-separated crossing over Highway 55 and provide a connection to Baker Park Reserve.  Along Hamel Road, the trail would be adjacent to the roadway and predominantly be located within right-of-way.

Next Steps from Public Engagement

All community feedback from the public engagement period on alternative routes in the northern portion of the City have been put into one comprehensive summary for Park Commission and City Council review and consideration, which can be found in the linked Park Commission report below.  Staff will be sharing the results of the planning efforts to the Park Commission at its regular meeting on May 19, 2021 and the City Council at its regular meeting on June 1, 2021. The City Council will continue their discussion on the Diamond Lake Regional Trail at the June 15, 2021 meeting.

Regular Meeting of City Council:  Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 7:00 PM

Virtual Meeting Link:  Click here to join the meeting

For telephone audio only:  Dial 1-612-517-3122; Enter Conference ID: 632 071 137#

• Agenda
• June 15th Meeting Packet

• June 1st Meeting Report

Park Commission Meeting information from May 19, 2021 Meeting

• Diamond Lake Regional Trail Summary – Report to Park Commission – This report includes engagement summary and public comments received
• Meeting Visual Presentations from Staff
• Meeting Visual Presentation from Three Rivers Park District
• Video from May 19, 2021 Park Commission Meeting

Online (interactive map, message board, email at https://www.letstalkthreerivers.org/diamond-lake-regional-trail-master-plan) (comment period closed on May 12th)

Questions on the project, email DLRT@threeriversparks.org or call Stephen Shurson, Three Rivers Project Manager, at 763-559-6766

Information from Past Meetings regarding this topic (the original proposed trail routes south of Hamel Road in the meeting information below are no longer being considered):

• Video from 2/16/21 Meeting
• Video from 2/23/21 Meeting
• Video from 3/2/21 Meeting
• Maps (high resolution) – showing original three route options
• Public Comments from first engagement period as of 03.02.21
• Presentation from 2/16/21 Meeting – on project overview, route analysis, and preferred route
• Presentation for 3/2/21 Meeting – meeting between Park Commission & City Council to discuss alternative options/next steps

A study is underway for the Tamarack Drive corridor from Hamel Road to Meander Road. The study includes defining a future road connection between Highway 55 and Meander Road. The purpose of the study is to create a cohesive plan that can be provided to property owners and developers guiding the look and feel of the corridor, street section, right-of-way needs, public utilities, and vehicular access spacing as this area develops.

We would like your input to help define the overall look and feel of Tamarack Drive between Highway 55 and Meander Road before the area develops.

Virtual Open House – Held on April 14th

View Recording of the Virtual Open House

Presentation for Tamarack Drive Visioning Study Open House

How to Participate in Survey

1st Survey and Idea Wall closed on April 20. Thank you for your responses.

2nd Survey Available until May 18th

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently completed a multiyear project to re-examine flood risks throughout Hennepin County and develop electronic flood hazard maps, which will become effective on November 4, 2016.

Federal law mandates that any federally regulated or insured lender require any property with a structure within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on these maps to carry flood insurance.

Most mortgage lenders will check their loans when the updated maps become effective on November 4, 2016. Lenders will likely send a letter to all properties in SFHA, and other properties that are even close to the SFHA, to notify them that they must purchase flood insurance within 45 days. If a policy is not purchased within this time period, the lender will “force place” a policy, which is normally much more expensive.

Flood insurance is available through your agent or one of the agents listed by searching the “Agent Finder” section of FEMA’s Flood Insurance website, FloodSmart.gov. If you have any kind of risk for flood damages, both in or out of the floodplain, the city encourages you to purchase flood insurance.

If you live near a lake, stream, or large wetland, you are encouraged to investigate whether your property may be “newly mapped” within the SFHA. View the floodplain map  to find your property on the map.

What to do if you believe you’ve been inadvertently included in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA)?

There are often scenarios where the boundaries of the floodplain do not accurately reflect the true topographic characteristics of a site. In addition, it is likely that lenders will be fairly conservative when determining if a property may require flood insurance.

In much of the county, the boundaries of the floodplain have not been updated with better elevation information since they were originally mapped in the early 1980’s. This newest map update merely digitized these areas – making them easier for everyone to view. If you believe your structure and/or parcel is higher than the actual flood elevation, there is a procedure for appeals known as a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). Traditionally, a LOMA involves hiring a surveyor to verify the lowest ground touching the structure, deck or stairs is above the 100-year flood elevation.

Under the right circumstances, the city may be able to assist with collecting data rather than hiring a surveyor. City staff may be able to use LiDAR-derived contour elevations from the Minnesota DNR to verify that a structure is above the 100-year flood elevation.

If you have any questions, please contact City Planner Dusty Finke at 763-473-8846 or dusty.finke@ci.medina.mn.us.

The Monarch Butterfly Population

The Monarch butterfly populations have plummeted by as much as 90% in the past 20 years and are on the cusp of moving toward protection on the Endangered Species Act.

One of the primary reasons for this decline is the decrease in milkweed plants, which grow easily in Minnesota. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the underside of the milkweed plant and it is the only source of food for the monarch caterpillar. If you have milkweed growing in your yards and fields, please don’t pull it, and let it grow. Planting milkweed is one of the easiest ways that we can make a difference for the monarchs.

Residents that are interested in planting milkweed in their yards to help the Monarch butterflies can pick up a bag of seeds, free of charge, while supplies last, at City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340 during regular business hours M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Additional resources on the Monarch Butterfly can be found below:

https://monarchjointventure.org/resources – View a number of publications on Monarchs and Milkweed

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarchs – This organization was started by Karen Oberhauser at the U of M who has studied the Monarchs for years

https://www.nwf.org/sitecore/content/Home/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/National-Initiatives/Pollinators – The National Wildlife Federation explains the importance of milkweed.

https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/ – This organization is out of Edina, MN, and is working to provide milkweed seeds for planting. The site also does a great job of explaining the importance of milkweed.

Links for Purchasing Bulk Milkweed Seeds

https://www.prairiemoon.com/seeds/

http://www.prairieresto.com

https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/