Monarchs & Milkweed

young-milkweedThe 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 Public Works, 600 Clydesdale Trail, Medina, MN 55340 during regular business hours M-F 7 a.m. to 3:30 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

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/

https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/

 

Fall Hydrant Flushing Begins Oct 2nd

Hydrant flushing begins in October.  Flushing will begin October 2nd west of Willow Drive between the hours of 9am – 3pm.

You may experience discoloration while the watermain near your property is being flushed, as well as fluctuation in water pressure. If you experience water discoloration, run your outside faucet until it is clear.

Hydrant maintenance and flushing is scheduled throughout October for account numbers beginning with 01 & 03.

Independence Beach, accounts beginning with 02, will follow their regular monthly flushing schedule which is the second Thursday of each month from 9 am – 2 pm.

 

September 12, 2023 – Planning Commission Meeting

The Planning Commission meets the second Tuesday of each month


Current Meeting Packet

All Current Land Use Applications Under Review

If you have questions about the meeting, contact dusty.finke@medinamn.gov or call 763-473-8846.

 

September 12, 2023 Agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Changes to Agenda

3. Update from City Council proceedings

4. Representative at next City Council meeting

5. Planning Department Report

6. Public Hearing – Ordinance Amendment – Chapter 6 of the City Code prohibiting the sale of edible cannabinoid products

7. Public Hearing – Ordinance Amendment – Chapter 8 of the City Code related to Tree Preservation

8. Approval August 8, 2023 Planning Commission Minutes

9. Adjourn

October 3 City Council Meeting

The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month; everyone is welcome to join.  

 

Meeting Schedule of City Council

Regular Meeting: Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Current Agenda

Current Meeting Packet

Council agendas and packets are typically available the Friday prior to the meeting.

 

 

City Council Records

City Council Public Records: Includes agendas, packets, minutes, newsletters, ordinances, and resolutions.

City Council Videos

Medina’s 2022 Annual Report

Medina’s 2022 Annual Report provides an overview of the City’s activities, accomplishments, and fiscal responsibility for 2020. The report outlines activity for each of the city departments including administration, planning, public works, police, and fire as well as statistics and charts demonstrating trend history.

We invite you to review Medina’s 2022 Annual Report to learn more about your community. This report also includes a snapshot of the important events and projects completed in 2020, a preview of 2021 goals, and sections recognizing our contributors, service providers, elected officials, appointed representatives and staff.

View Medina’s Annual Reports from previous years at:  https://medinamn.us/citygov/history-vision/ 

 

Cops Don’t Call for Cash

Cops Don't Call for Cash LogoOn 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.

Road Restrictions

2023 Spring Road Restrictions Ended in Medina on Monday, May 1, at 12:01 a.m.  Reference the map for post-spring load limits.

Why are streets restricted?

When spring arrives, the frozen aggregate base and the soil under the aggregate base thaw out and become saturated.  Under these conditions the pavement weakens, and the capacity of the roadway is reduced.  It is during this time that heavy vehicles driving on the roadway damage the roadway more than any other time of the year.

The reason for the restrictions is to protect our roads and keep the cost of road repair down for all taxpayers. We ask all of our residents and business owners to keep an eye out for large trucks using the roads during this period.  If you see them using a restricted road, please call 9-1-1 to report it immediately. Help protect our roads!

Clean-Up Day, Saturday, April 27th

Each year, on the last Saturday in April, Public Works sponsors a city-wide clean-up day.   This is an opportunity for you to rid yourself of old appliances, TV’s, and other items you would normally take to the landfill.  The City of Medina subsidizes the costs associated with the removal of these items.  This is a great opportunity to remove these items from your home at a reduced cost.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 8 a.m. to noon at 600 Clydesdale Trail.

Check back closer to the event date for a list of accepted items and disposal fees.  Expect the event to include:

  • Collection of unwanted items
  • Free Document Shredding Services
  • Tree Sales – (cash or check only)
  • Free Milkweed Seeds
  • Bicycle Collection – donated to Interfaith Outreach
  • Lunch (served from 10a.m. to 12p.m.)

Where to bring other items:

 

 

Hunter Lions Park – Renovations Underway

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 PhasesClick 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 

Compost/Brush Site Locking Gate

The City’s brush/compost site will be open daily (including weekends) from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gate will be closed and locked every day after 4:30 p.m. to limit contractors and non-residents from dumping illegally.

It is located behind the shop building northwest of City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340.

Accepted Items

Brush Pile – trees, branches, brush, bushes, and other natural wood products (woody shrubs, vines, Christmas trees & large logs)

Compost Pile – grass clippings, leaves, mulch, flowers, weeds, sod, garden waste and holiday greens (no bags & no straw)

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