Paul Fortin Field under the lights. Photo Credit: Ryan Wilson

The Hamel Athletic Club in partnership with the City of Medina is excited to be turning on the lights on the Paul Fortin Field in Uptown Hamel. This will be the first time in almost 100 years of baseball and 70 years since the field was built that baseball will be played on a full-size field at night in Hamel.

The City of Medina was awarded $148,490 in grant funds from the Hennepin County Youth Sports Facility Program to install ball field lights at the Paul Fortin field. The Hamel Athletic Club also provided a generous donation of $66,442.50 to make this project possible. The new Musco LED Total Light Control fixtures provide tight control of unwanted spill and glare light with no light spilling onto nearby properties and save on energy use and costs.

Grand Opening Ceremony – August 10th at 7:20 p.m.

The Hamel 13-year-old teams will be playing a 9-inning game at Fortin Field on August 10, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-game ceremony starting at 7:20 p.m. and the lights will be turned on around 8:30 pm when the sun sets. This game is to celebrate the new lights and the 13-year-old players graduating from intermediate sized fields to full-size baseball fields. The game will be a friendly scrimmage between Hamel Team White and Hamel Team Blue. Food and beverages will be available. All are welcome to come join and cheer on the Hamel teams.

The 2021 Night to Unite neighborhood parties will be on Tuesday, August 3rd. Night to Unite is a program established to take a stand against crime in our neighborhoods. How it works is that parties are held in your neighborhood, which gives our residents a chance to get to know their neighbors. Crime is solved and prevented by having neighbors watching out for each other and alert the police of suspicious activity. The benefits your neighborhood will derive from Night to Unite will most certainly extend well beyond the night so consider planning your party today!

If you’d like to set up a party in your neighborhood, please register with the Medina Police Department by July 23rd.

Night to Unite Registration Form– Please register your party by July 23, 2021.

When you register your party with the city, we will arrange for the Medina Police, firefighters, and City Council members to stop by and participate in your party and the other neighborhood parties throughout the city.

The City Council will be meeting in person in the Medina City Council Chambers, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340.

Regular Meeting of City Council:  Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 7:00 PM

• Agenda
• Meeting Packet

Medina is now included in a drought warning as defined by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Drought Action Plan.    

Droughts and Water Conservation

Residential water use increases significantly in the summer due to irrigation.  Understanding when and how long to run the irrigation system, how to adjust the irrigation controller, how to detect leaks, and how to repair common irrigation hardware problems are the most important concepts for homeowners to comprehend and efficiently conserve water in Medina. 

Drought is a prolonged period of lower-than-normal rainfall that leads to serious effects on plants, animals, and people.   Each of us impacts the planet by consuming resources – and water is among the most important.  A water footprint measures the total amount of fresh water needed to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual, industry or community.  Visit WaterSense to calculate your personal water usage and strategize ways to conserve.  

In Medina droughts can lower the levels of our lakes and creeks, cause drying of lawns and vegetation that can make us more vulnerable to wildfires.  Droughts around the state can also cause major crop losses and water shortages.  Medina has abundant drinking and public water supplies, but in serious long term droughts water restrictions may be necessary.    

• Use drought resistant grass and landscaping around your home. 
• Practice everyday water conservation. 

• • Water during the coolest part of the day to avoid evaporation. 
  • Water grass only when it needs it. Most lawns only need an inch of water a week. 
  • Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
  • Look for the WaterSense logo when you buy appliances and equipment. These products are certified to perform well while saving water and energy.
  • Take shorter showers using low flow showerheads instead of baths. 
  • Turn the faucet off while you shave or brush your teeth. 
  • Load dishes into the dishwasher without rinsing them. 
  • Run the dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded. 
  • Fill the sink to wash dishes by hand instead of letting the water run. 
  • Use a large pan to clean vegetables rather than letting the water run. 
  • Only wash full loads of laundry. 

The City regularly monitors water levels and is not implementing water restrictions currently.  To stay updated on the status of restrictions, continue to check back on this webpage. 

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 

We are excited to announce that Medina Celebration Day will be held on Saturday, September 18th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in Hamel Legion Park, 3200 Mill Street, Medina, MN 55340.

Residents—save the date! We are eagerly planning a fun evening of free entertainment that will include games with prizes for youth, face painting, balloon artist and fireworks! Local Medina restaurants will also have food for purchase at the event. We will also have bingo with game cards for purchase, with a chance to win a cash prize! The full schedule of events can be viewed in the event flyer below:

Medina Celebration Day – Event Flyer

Medina Businesses—We would like to invite you to be a sponsor of this community social event! We are also inviting Medina businesses to take part in the Business Expo that is held in conjunction with this event and is a great opportunity for networking. This event has an attendance of 1,000+ people and is enjoyed by many. Your support in helping to provide another free, fun, and memorable event is much appreciated!

Friday, September 3^rd is the deadline to sign up for the Business Expo and to be a sponsor of the event. Please submit a Donation/Registration Form by Friday, September 3^rd. If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to the City of Medina and write “Medina Celebration Day” in the memo. Please mail your donation to: City of Medina, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN 55340.

Silver Level: $100 – 249

• Business name printed on the event recap letter in the fall Medina Message newsletter.

Gold Level: $250 – 499

• Business name printed in bold on the event recap letter in the fall Medina Message newsletter.

Platinum Level: $500+

• Business logo featured on the event recap letter in the fall Medina Message newsletter.

Business Expo:

A donation of $100+ includes a booth at the Business Expo – we provide you with an 8-foot table and two chairs. You will need to supply your own canopy for covering, if you desire, but it is not required. Your booth may highlight your business and what it offers to the community. Providing an activity helps to promote engagement. Set up for the Business Expo will begin at 2:00 p.m. on the day of the event; booth selection is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The event will happen – rain or shine!

Registration Form for Donations and Business Expo – Due:  September 3rd

Questions? Want to Volunteer? Call or email Nicole Jacobson at 763-473-8853; Nicole.jacobson@medinamn.gov

2020 Annual Report Cover Page

Medina’s 2020 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 2020 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/ 

Announcing Clean Waters – a series of educational fact sheets put out by Public Works with focus on protecting Medina’s water resources.  To learn more or see how you can contribute photos for upcoming publications visit: https://medinamn.us/svcs/environment/cleanwaters/

A picture is worth a thousand words – below are some, submitted by residents, that capture why we’re so passionate about protecting our wetlands.

Photo Credit: Theodore Jantzen

Lake Independence – Photo Credit: Shrirang Joshi

Photo Credit: Hadassah Zohara

Photo Credit: Hadassah Zohara

Photo Credit: Hadassah Zohara

Photo Credit: Robin Reid

Photo Credit – Mandi Davis

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)

[Read more…]

Are you thinking about starting your own business or are you currently operating a small business and interested in FREE technical assistance?
Medina has partnered with the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) to offer the Open to Business program. This program provides FREE one-on-one assistance from MCCD’s expert staff, customized to meet the specific needs of each entrepreneur. This can include creating a business plan, suggestions on financial management and bookkeeping practices, assisting with marketing, and referrals for financing. MCCD also administers a small business loan fund which provides capital to expand local businesses.

For more information please visit www.opentobusinessmn.org or contact John Endris from MCCD at jendris@mccdmn.org or (651)-216-6252.