North/East metro news briefs: Roseville officials considering options to ease public-works load

Roseville officials are considering an array of options to expand its overloaded public works department, now mostly housed in rental space at the State Fairgrounds.

Those options include a whole new facility that would cost up to $18 million, not counting the cost of the land.

The existing facility, built in 1957 at 5,400 square feet, has been enlarged at least five times since. It now measures more than 60,000 square feet, officials say.

Even so, they add, it's compact compared with public works buildings in some other suburbs that can run to more than 100,000 square feet and encompass quite a bit more acreage than Roseville has.

Options discussed with the City Council last week ranged from a modest expansion of current facilities at a cost of $2 million to $4 million to a new 100,000-square-foot facility at another location that would cost $15 million to $18 million, excluding the cost of land.

Roseville leases State Fair facilities and a warehouse for seasonal storage of vehicles and equipment and also uses a former fire station for seasonal storage of parks equipment.

City staffers planned to report before the end of the year on ways to pay for the project.

David Peterson

Coon Rapids officials say crime rates are lower overall than historical averages, but 2016 crime data show that some trouble spots remain.

The number of thefts and burglaries in the city rose last year, according to data from the 2016 Uniform Crime Report. From 2015 to 2016, theft incidents increased from 1,525 to 1,538, while burglaries jumped from 185 to 197 in the same period.

Thefts from vehicles account for many of the incidents, and police are urging drivers to take preventive steps.

"When it comes to your vehicle, remove all valuables and lock your doors. Every time," Coon Rapids Police Chief Brad Wise said in a statement.

Meanwhile, robberies are on the decline, dropping from 39 offenses in 2015 to 24 in 2016.

Other results from the crime report, produced by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, are available on the city's website.

Hannah covington

Woodbury met two of its public safety goals in 2016 but fell short on three others, according to the city's latest scorecard of how it serves residents.

The scorecard shows 20 violent crimes occurred last year per 1,000 residents, beating the city's target of 21. The city's sustained fire response also exceeded its goal; more than 90 percent of the time, an additional six firefighters arrived on the scene within 13 minutes.

However, the first five firefighters arrived on the scene within nine minutes only 82 percent of the time, short of Woodbury's target of 90 percent.

The city just missed its goals of nonviolent crime per 1,000 residents (34 in 2016, vs. a target of 31) and the percentage of time a paramedic arrived on the scene (89 percent in 2016 vs. a target of 90 percent).

Kevin Giles

Arden Hills has arranged for two occasions in the next couple weeks at which citizens can hear about what's going on with some key projects and ask questions about them.

The stalled development at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site, or TCAAP, is bound to be featured at both.

The sessions, aimed at both residents and businesses:

• Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Tavern Grill restaurant, 3561 Lexington Av.

• Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1245 W. Hwy. 96.

In addition to TCAAP redevelopment, topics to be covered will include transportation improvements, other development projects, and parks and trails.

David Peterson

Business and liquor license fees could soon jump in Brooklyn Park if city leaders approve proposed hikes next month.

The changes would affect alcohol, food, massage therapy, hotel and door-to-door solicitor fees, among others. A list of the potential increases is on the city's website.

City Council members will consider the proposed changes at their Oct. 9 meeting, said Keith Jullie, Brooklyn Park's rental and business licensing manager.

Hannah Covington