News & Events

View the "Lookout" Newsletter 12/30/11

This is the Cottage Grove Neighbourhood Watch newsletter. Please click here.      

How to Prevent Internet Scams and Fraud Event on Jan. 10th

In the modern world thieves seem to be able to come up with new ways, every day, to steal information and cash.  Millions of people lose money and their identity every year through internet scams and fraud.  Unfortunately the highest target area for these thieves is the senior community.

You can get educated on what to watch out for on January 10, 2012 at 10:45 a.m. at the Senior Center in Cottage Grove. 8400 E Point Douglas Road South Cottage Grove, MN 55016

James Arlt, the acting director of the Alcohol and Gambling Division with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, will give an excellent presentation on these issues. Mr. Arlt and his staff, work primarily on assisting the victims and also finding and prosecuting the people that do so much damage and harm to their victims. This event is sponsored by the Cottage Grove Police Department and anyone is welcome to attend this event free of charge.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.  Hope to see you there.

Mike McCormick (Public Safety Department, City of Cottage Grove)

7516 80th St S.
Cottage Grove MN 55016
651-439-9381 Washington County Dispatch
651-458-6000 ext. 4338 Voice Mail

Cottage Grove Holds Line on Taxes 12/5/11

The Cottage Grove City Council has adopted a preliminary tax levy for taxes payable in 2012, which means the levy amount cannot increase above the adopted amount. The amount of money Cottage Grove is levying against taxpaying properties in 2012 is $12,241,250, compared to our Levy in 2011of 12,241,250. It’s true; the levy is exactly the same!  In fact, both our 2011 and 2012 levies are below the 2009 levy of $12,446,500 (and they say taxes never go down!) and less than ½ of 1% above our levy in 2008!

The Cottage Grove Council takes the job of fiscal responsibility extremely seriously, and has been very focused on doing the job well by running our City efficiently while keeping our taxes reasonable. Thanks to that focus, along with the shared commitment of our City staff, in 2011 our tax rate in CG was below the average of similar suburbs to which we compare.  We expect that to also be the case in 2012. Our utility fees and charges - to run our water, sewer, storm water and street light systems – is now and continues to be below the metro area average as well.

The 2012 impact of taxing authority decisions on the individual homeowner tax bill will vary considerably, depending on the individual circumstance of the property and its market value.  Notably, a decision by the State of Minnesota Legislature to solve its budget crises last June will result in an increase in the property tax of many homeowners and businesses - even if the County and School District also freeze their levies at 2011 levels.  In order to fund $500 million in the State’s $5 billion budget gap the 2011 MN State Legislature eliminated the former Market Value Homestead Credit program. This program operated as a credit on property tax bills, and with the elimination of the program the credit also goes away.  The state did implement something called a market value reduction program, which eliminates a portion of the taxable market value on lowered valued homes.  The result of these two state laws is that many homeowners, especially those in higher valued homes, will experience an increased tax bill for 2012.

In other words, some taxpayers may be paying a higher tax bill in 2012 than they did in 2011 in spite of Cottage Grove freezing its tax levy.  In 2011 our average valued home of $207,400 paid the City $723 in property tax.  In 2005 our average valued home was $211,800 and paid taxes to the City in the amount of $758.  Council and staff continue to consistently seek opportunities to lower costs while still providing a high level of service to our residents.  We are proud of our fiscally responsible track record in Cottage Grove, and we remain committed to operating as efficiently as we can in order to manage City funds wisely.

Sincerely, Mayor Myron Bailey

Shop Cottage Grove

A community can establish its identity through a number of different community aspects, such as the quality of their parks, schools, and neighborhoods.  Commonly, a prosperous community is also identified by its ability to maintain a diverse and successful business environment.  A successful business environment is often defined by its ability to meet the wants and needs of the local citizens, while also attracting visitors to the community.

Why is it important that we support our Cottage Grove businesses? 

When citizens patronize businesses within Cottage Grove, they are also:

· Supporting job creation in Cottage Grove and protecting local prosperity

· Supporting a diverse tax base in Cottage Grove

· Encouraging other businesses to locate in Cottage Grove

· Reducing pollution in Cottage Grove (by decreased transportation needs)

· Encouraging development in other sectors of the City’s economy, such as spurring residential construction.

At the City level, we are partnering with our retailers to create and rollout a future marketing plan to encourage citizens and visitors to frequent Cottage Grove businesses.

What can you do to help?

Residents can help by making a conscious effort to support businesses located in Cottage Grove and encourage others to do the same.  When you shop here you are sending a strong message that you support your community.  If you’d like more information about ocal businesses, scroll down the City’s main webpage at www.cottage-grove.org  to the Shop Cottage Grove logo (shown above) and click the shopping cart symbol to see local business locations.

If you are a Cottage Grove business owner/manager, contact Danette Parr, City of CG Economic Development Director at 651.458.2824 or dparr@cottage-grove.org to learn how you can partner with the City and other Cottage Grove businesses in an upcoming marketing campaign.

Snow Ball Coming to River Oaks!

Channel 5 (KSTP) will be broadcasting a segment on “snow golf” from our own River Oaks Golf Course at 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. tonight.  That’s right; snow golf is coming to River Oaks.  We’ll be playing with tennis balls and 7 irons.  Expect 9 holes of varying length (between 40 – 100 Yards).  All play will take place on the driving range and the cost will be about $5.00.  Now all we need is the snow. Check River Oaks’ web site for more information www.riveroaksmunigolf.com.

2011 Photo Contest

For all Cottage Grove residents who have an eye for photography, the City of Cottage Grove is excited to announce its tenth annual Photo Contest.  The City encourages all residents to submit their favorite pictures. The six categories are:

• Cottage Grove Parks/Trails
• Cottage Grove People
• Cottage Grove Celebrations/Events (please check the City calendar on the home page for a list of Cottage Grove celebrations and events)
• Cottage Grove Streetscapes (building, places, things)
• Cottage Grove Historical
• Cottage Grove Black and White Photographs

First prize in each category is $50. The winning photos will also be featured in the Cottage Grove Reports, on the City website and various other publications. Deadline for submission is December 30th. Please see the submission form for more details. Submission forms must accompany all submitted photos. Submission forms will be available here, at City Hall, by e-mailing jfischbach@cottage-grove.org or by calling 651-458-2883.

Rapid Emergency Notification System - Register Now

Washington County has instituted a new rapid emergency notification service called CodeRED®. The new system will distribute emergency messages via telephone to targeted areas or the entire county at a rate of 1,000 calls per minute. CodeRED® employs a one-of-a-kind Internet mapping capability for geographic targeting of calls, coupled with a high speed telephone calling system capable of delivering customized pre-recorded emergency messages directly to homes and businesses, live individuals and answering machines.

By registering, you’ll be added to the emergency call list.  Click on the CodeRED logo here to register.

This service can be used in case of fires, chemical spills, evacuations, lock downs, downed power lines, lost individuals, natural disasters, abductions, water system problems, bomb threats, or other emergencies. Calls can be geographically targeted for localized messaging. If widespread, the entire community could be called within 20 to 30 minutes. The system also reports who did not get a call so that they may be contacted by other means.

Washington County residents are welcome and encouraged to enter their contact information for home, business, and mobile phones so they may be contacted by the system in the event of an emergency. It is important for city residents and businesses customers to register, especially if they use unlisted numbers, cell phones, or VOIP. Those who do not register their address and phone number may not be notified with CodeRED in the case of an emergency. Registration is confidential, free, and easy.

PFC Remediation 3M

Company has submitted an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for their East Cove Sediment Removal Project.  The EAW and detailed Work Plan can be reviewed by following this link.

Nelson Mine Expansion Project

The public is invited to review the Final Scoping Decision Document (available for download here).  The City will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Nelson Mine Expansion Project. If you have questions, contact John McCool, Senior Planner, City of Cottage Grove, 7516 – 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016; by telephone at 651-458-2874; fax at 651-458-2881; or via email to jmccool@cottage-grove.org.  A full press release can be found by following this link.