Briefs: Newport approves deal cleaning up disputed lot

The Newport City Council and one of its residents have struck an agreement that both parties hope will end more than 25 years of legal conflict over the use of the property by the owner for hauling, processing and recycling garbage.

Daniel Van Theobald bought the property at 505 Century Av. in 1978 as a place from which to run his business before the city enacted its current zoning regulations. Three years later, when the city enacted its zoning ordinances, Van Theobald's property was zoned for residential use and its use as a business was out of compliance.

That set into motion years of conflict, with the city moving to declare the property a threat to public health and safety, and improperly operating a junkyard, and Van Theobald arguing the city's actions were unlawful, abusive and a violation of his right to due process. The clash yielded two costly and protracted lawsuits.

Fritz Knaak, Newport's city attorney, told council members last month that Van Theobald has now acknowledged his property is in violation and is ready to settle the issue once and for all. "I've looked Mr. Van Theobald eyeball-to-eyeball, and he says he agrees to this — that's a first," Knaak said.

The agreement, approved 5-0 by the City Council, protects both the city and Van Theobald, Knaak said. It lays out a schedule for a cleanup of the property in phases until mid-2015, and the business will be closed in late 2014.

Department heads at the city of Forest Lake are working on preliminary 2014 budget proposals. City Council budget workshops will be held Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. (Finance Committee) and Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m., which will be open to public comment. An additional workshop will be held Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. if needed, the city said.

All cities, and Washington County, will complete preliminary budget proposals by mid-September. City Councils will vote on final budgets in December.

Area residents will hear noises while crews demolish the bridge, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said.

The Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment was awarded a grant from the Minnesota Clean Land and Water Legacy Amendment to assist in the replacement of septic systems considered imminent threats to public health or failing to protect groundwater.

The grant, for low-income homeowners, is limited to $20,901 which will fund four applicants at $5,226 each. Income and eligibility requirements apply. The application process is on a first-come first-served basis. To find out more information or to obtain a grant application, go to www.co.washington.mn.us/septicsystems or contact Jessica Larson at 651-430-6655 or jessica.larson@co.washington.mn.us.

Washington County applied for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) funds through Minnesota Housing and was awarded $311,300 for a two-year period beginning July 1. Funds can be used to prevent or mitigate homelessness and will be allocated to the following programs: Solid Ground (formerly known as East Metro Women's Council), $137,000 for transitional housing for families which includes rent payment assistance and support services; Salvation Army $84,260 for direct financial assistance and support services for youth, singles and families who are homeless/at risk of homelessness; $61,740 to Canvas Health for outreach and support services for youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by developing host homes.

Cottage Grove residents are invited to attend an open house from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 21 from 6–8 p.m. at City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway.

The preliminary budget and tax levy is scheduled for adoption on Sept. 4, 2013

County Road 22 (70th Street S) is now closed to traffic between County Road 19 (Keats Avenue) and Jamaica Avenue in Cottage Grove as of Monday, July 29.

The closure will remain in effect for approximately 90 days. The signed detour route will be Jamaica Avenue on the west, County Road 20 (Military Road) on the north, and County Road 19 (Keats Avenue) on the east.

The purpose of this project is to improve safety and mobility on county roads 19, 20, and 22. The project involves consolidating two closely-spaced four-way stops on County Road 19 (Keats Avenue) into one roundabout.

This project also provides a unique opportunity for Washington County and the South Washington Watershed District (SWWD) to pool their resources and deliver two separate construction projects under one contract. At the same time the county is building a new alignment of County Road 20, the SWWD is building a portion of its regional drainage system, just more than one mile (5,778 feet) of new 72-inch pipe in the area of the County Road 22 and new County Road 20 alignment.

When natural disasters hit, professional first responders are often overwhelmed with calls for help.

To better prepare for these circumstances, the Woodbury Public Safety Department formed the Volunteer Emergency Response Team (VERT), a group of citizens trained to aid professional responders in emergency situations. VERT is currently seeking new members for the program.

VERT assists Public Safety personnel with a variety of activities including: sandbagging; looking for lost persons; controlling the perimeter of a scene or event; setting up temporary relocation shelters for victims; and reunifying lost family members.

For more information on how to join, visit the Volunteer Emergency Response Team (VERT) website: http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/emergency-preparedness/volunteer-emergency-response-team-vert

As part of the roadway rehabilitation project, Glen Road in Woodbury has been closed to through traffic between Woodlane Drive and Century Avenue. It is expected to reopen around Sept. 20.