March - 
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Table of Contents
Help Maintain Storm Water Quality In
Hopkins By Reporting Illegal Dumping
Fire Hydrant Flushing Begins Soon
8th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser
for Hunger
Sewer back-ups are a potential problem for all property owners. Claims for damages to people's homes caused by sewer backups probably lead to more misunderstanding and hard feelings than any other single kind of claim. It might be possible to avoid some of these problems if property owners are made aware of three basic points regarding sewer back-ups and the resulting damage:
- The City is not automatically liable for resulting damages whenever a sewer backs up. The City is only liable for those damages if the backup was caused by the City's negligence.
- Many property owner insurance policies exclude damage resulting from sewer back-ups. Thus, property owners often end up looking to the City to pay their damages when their own insurer denies their claim.
- Some insurance companies do provide sewer backup coverage. Therefore, it is possible for property owners to protect themselves against this risk.
If a property owner has reason to believe that there is a problem with their sewer service, the City should be notified immediately. The City will dispatch a Public Works employee to investigate the sewer main line for problems and take action if appropriate. A problem in the sanitary sewer service from the home or structure to the sewer main in the street, including the Y" or "T" connection, is the responsibility of the property owner.
The Public Works Department can be reached day or night at 952-939-1382 (weekdays 7:30 am–4:00 pm) or 952-938-8885 (Saturday, Sunday, Holidays, and off hours).
Prompt action by the property owner in notifying the City immediately may prevent damages to the home or business. If you have any questions or concerns about your sewer service, please call the Public Works Department at 952-939-1382.
Help Maintain Storm Water Quality In Hopkins By Reporting Illegal Dumping
The City of Hopkins is asking for your support with a new storm water quality program mandated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The City now has a way to report any illegal dumping of prohibited materials into the city storm sewer system. Prohibited materials include gasoline, diesel, oil, grease, paint, solvents, and phosphates/fertilizers.
Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to the enactment of the Clear Water Act of 1972. The Act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the US. The Environmental Pollution Agency has the authority to implement pollution control programs and the City is required to provide a system to monitor and report any illegal discharges into any storm conveyances observed by Hopkins residents.
To report illegal dumping call the Razzle Communication Center at 952 939-1421 or go online to www.hopkinsmn.com/cityhall/razzle.html.
April 20 & 21
3:00–7:00 pm
April 22
9:00 am–4:00 pm
1414 7th St S (old landfill site)
Bulk item drop-off is available for Hopkins refuse customers in the City service area. A valid Minnesota ID or current paid utility bill must be shown to prove eligibility:
- $20 fee for each recyclable appliance. Fees will be reflected on your utility bill and will not be collected the day of drop-off. All other bulk items are free.
- Maximum 3 cubic yards (one pick-up truck load) per household.
- Residents must separate recyclable materials into the proper areas at the site.
- Most of the lumber, appliances, and metal materials will be separated and recycled.
- Small engines and lawn mowers must have wheels, caps, drain plugs, and fluids removed prior to taking them to the drop-off site.
- Electronics and concrete products are accepted.
Items not included in the pick-up or drop-off:
- Tires
- Junk Cars
- Car Parts
- Fluorescent Bulbs
- Waste Oil
- Paint Products
- Car Batteries
- Gas Refrigerators
- Metal Barrels or Drums
- Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste must be taken to the Hennepin County Transfer Station (612-348-4657).
There is still time to sign up for the 2006 Citizens Academy. The City is offering a free, five-week interactive course to business members and residents of the community. Participants will get an opportunity to learn about the operations, facilities, and services of the City. Classes are scheduled to begin March 16. Classes will be held every Thursday with a completion celebration scheduled for May 2. Each class will be held at a different location within the City. Classes run from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. During that time each City department team will bring attendees behind the scenes and into the operations. The sessions are designed to be interactive as well as a fun and informative. If you are interested in the academy, contact Jim Genellie at 952-548-6303 or sign-up by sending an e-mail to .
The City provides refuse containers and weekly refuse collection in the City Service Areas. Refuse containers must be set out by 6:00 am on the collection day. Service fees are reflected on residents' utility bills.
Where To Put Your Container
Refuse containers are to be placed in the alley one to four feet behind the alley edge line with the handle positioned away from the alley and away from any building, obstacle, or other containers. In areas without an alley, containers are to be placed in the street or boulevard one to three feet behind the curb line with the handle positioned away from the street. In alley locations requiring trucks to be "backed in," refuse cans must be placed on the street side of the residence.
For more information about garbage collection, go to www.hopkinsmn.com/publicworks/garbage/ or call the Public Works Department at 952-939-1382.
Fire Hydrant Flushing Begins Soon
Public Works utility crews will begin flushing fire hydrants throughout the community April 10–28. Flushing the hydrants may cause water discoloration problems. Residents are cautioned against doing laundry—particularly whites—while crews are in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine where sediment or discoloration problems will occur.
April 10–14 Hydrants north of Co Rd 3 and west of Hwy 169
April 17–21 Hydrants south of Co Rd 3 and west of Hwy 169
April 24–28 Hydrants east of Hwy 169
8th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Hunger
Tuesday, March 21, 11:00 am–7:00 pm
Come choose your favorite hand-made bowl from over 1200 bowls created by local artists and students. Keep it as a reminder of all the empty bowls in our community. Enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread donated by local businesses and a variety of live local entertainment. Your free will donation will help "fill empty bowls" by supporting the work of the Hopkins-Minnetonka Family Resource Center and the ICA foodshelf.
For more information, call 952-988-4069 or go to www.hopkinsartscenter.com.
Hopkins Center for the Arts Concerts
Boys of the Lough
Saturday, March 4, 7:30 pm
Traditional Irish and Scottish music
Flying Foot Forum
Saturday, March 25, 7:30 pm
Percussive dance troupe in "Flying Feats"
Tickets: www.hopkinsartscenter.com or 952-979-1111
Recycling collection is March 6–9 and 20–23.
Refuse collection is March 6–9, 13–16, 20–23, and 27–30.