Lakeville's Non-Union Employees to Get Pay Raises

Lakeville's non-union employees will be receiving pay increases in 2012 and 2013, adding roughly 1 percent to the city's general fund expenditures the next two years.

Lakeville's City Council approved the merit increases during its meeting on Feb. 21. Non-union city workers will receive a 1.75-percent pay increase for 2012 and 1.5-percent in 2013, and according to the City Council report, that increase is in line with comparable cities’ wage increases. 

The move is also commensurate with the Lakeville Police Sergeants’ increase, which was approved as a separate item, and agreed to by the sergeant's union and the council. The city has traditionally maintained consistency in pay increase rates between union and non-union employees.

The wage increases weren't the only items on the agenda on Tuesday evening. The council also approved the final plans and bid process for the Heritage Center project which will convert the city's old, vacant police station, and turn it into the new home for Lakeville's Senior Center, historical society, and Yellow Ribbon organization.

In addition, the council also approved a number of other measures:

2012 Street Reconstruction Project

The City Council approved the final plans for an estimated $8.9 million street reconstruction project that will affect homeowners in the Valley Park area. The project will center on replacing curbs and gutters, water main and sewer improvements, as well as spot sidewalk replacement in an area roughly bordered by Cedar Avenue, Dodd Boulevard, and Flagstaff Avenue.

The project will be funded with $5,736,000 in City funds and $2,960,000 in special assessments to benefiting property owners. The project will also replace the 168th Street bridge $240,000 in Mn/DOT Bridge Bond Funds. That portion of the project will be bid separately from the main project. Bids for the project will be opened in late March and work is scheduled to take place from June through November of this year.

An assessment hearing is scheduled for May 7.

Zoning Ordinance Amendments

A number revisions were made to city code that could give Lakeville residents more room to enjoy their yards.

Among the zoning ordinance revisions were a reduction in the required rear yard setback for properties that abut wetlands. That would open the door for the possibility of larger decks for some homeowners. Previously that exception applied only to properties that abutted parks or other open public land.

Residential fence setbacks have been reduced from 20 feet to 10 feet. That move could potentially impact “hundreds” of Lakeville homeowners who can now reclaim up to 10 feet of yard space. Residents can apply for a fence permit through the city’s building department should they wish to make changes to existing fencing.

Other changes include additional allowances for expanded retail propane sales opportunities in commercial districts and addition signage allowances for multi-tenant buildings.

The complete changes can be viewed here. The City Council said the changes were made due to feedback from developers and residents through recent forums and surveys.

Ice Rinks Closed

The wet, heavy snowfall on Monday effectively closed down the city’s outdoor ice rinks for the season. The city opened additional ice rinks this season only to be met by unseasonably warm temperatures throughout most of the winter.

Lake Marion has also experienced open water and uneven ice recently. Police Chief Thomas Vonhof reported to the council that a fish house fell through the ice in January.

Lakeville Officials Participate in Polar Plunge

The 2012 South Metro Polar Plunge benefiting the Minnesota Special Olympics will be held this Saturday at Crystal Beach in Burnsville. The annual event is organized by various law enforcement agencies and serves as the main fundraising activity for the Special Olympics.

Vonhof, Mayor Mark Bellows and Council Member Matt Little will be among the Lakeville representatives taking the icy plunge Saturday afternoon.

More than 800 plungers have signed up for the event. The splashing begins at 2:30 p.m. and free shuttle buses are available during the event leaving from the Lakeville Brunswick Bowl.