February - 
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Utility & Recycling Rates Increase
Utility And Recycling Rates Increase
At their January 2 meeting, the Hopkins City Council approved increases in the water and sewer utility rates, as well as recycling rates, effective for service beginning January 1, 2008.
The rate increases follow the development of a Utility Master Plan, which looks at the operational and capital needs for the utility systems over the next ten years. Identified in the plan are critical upgrades to the water system including emergency electrical generation, backup water supply, and interconnections with our neighboring communities. The increase on the sanitary sewer rates is primarily due to the increases in the amount the Metropolitan Council charges the City for treating wastewater.
Water And Sewer Rates
The water rate was increased by $0.25 to $1.65 per 1,000 gallons of water used and the sewer rates were increased by $0.25 to $2.70 per 1,000 gallons of water used. An average residential customer will see an increase in their utility bill of approximately $4.50 per month. Despite these rate increases, Hopkins utility rates continue to rank in the bottom third of metro cities.
There are ways to reduce the impact of the rate increase on your budget. Consider installing devices that conserve the amount of water you use. Use a low flow fixture on the shower faucet, wash only full loads of clothes or run the dishwasher only when it is full. Other ways to conserve water can be found here.
Recycling Rates
The recycling rate was increased by $0.50 to a flat fee $3.25 per month. Periodic rate increases are necessary to keep up with increasing costs of providing this service. The last rate increase in recycling fees was in 2004.
Please direct rate increase questions to the Finance Department at 952-548-6330.
Remodeling Fair To Have Eco-Friendly Focus
Sunday, February 24, 2008, 10:30 am–3:30 pm
Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins
The 16th annual Home Remodeling Fair will again feature a tremendous line-up of seminars and mini-demonstrations for the do-it-yourselfer, with the added consideration of environmentally-friendly remodeling. While all the workshops will touch on the benefits of remodeling green relative to their respective topics, several workshops will make it their focus (see their website for more details: www.homeremodelingfair.com).
You will also have the opportunity to talk to a variety of professionals, including architects, landscape architects, and interior designers, who will provide free, no obligation advice. Talk to a representative from the Center for Energy and Environment about lowering energy costs, or a representative from Community Action Partnership for Suburban Hennepin County about foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgage counseling, energy assistance programs, homeownership services, and financial counseling.
The Home Remodeling Fair is a free event sponsored by the Cities of Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and St. Louis Park, as well as Hopkins, Minnetonka, and St. Louis Park Community Education.
How Is The Residential Sanitary Sewer Charge Calculated?
Each year on the February billing, the City resets the sanitary sewer winter usage sewer base on residential properties for the upcoming year. The resident’s actual water usage for the time period listed on the February bill is the sewer base for the year.
This sewer base is set during the winter when all the water being used is for domestic purposes inside the house. That way residents are not billed sanitary sewer charges for water used during the summer on lawns and gardens, which basically goes back into the ground and not through the sanitary sewer system.
On bills from March through the next January, the resident will pay a charge based upon the winter usage sewer base or the actual water usage, whichever is less.
There is still time to sign up for the 2008 Citizens Academy! This free, five-week course is offered by the City to business members and residents of the community who are interested in learning more about the operations of the City.
Classes are scheduled to begin February 28 and will be held every Thursday from 6:30 to 9 pm. Each class will be held at a different location and will offer participants a behind-the-scenes look into City operations. The sessions are designed to be interactive as well as a fun and informative.
Interested? Contact Jim Genellie at 952-548-6303 or sign-up by sending an e-mail to citizensacademy@hopkinsmn.com.
Lease A Garden Plot For The Summer In Hopkins
The City of Hopkins provides a garden site area in Hopkins Valley Park in the Westbrooke/Nine Mile Creek area where residents can lease a 20’x 20’ garden plot.
The 2008 rate is $12.00 for each plot. Residents can register for a plot at Hopkins City Hall. Beginning this year, residents will no longer be able to register at the Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation department.
Registration begins March 3, 2008 for residents and are on a first come, first served basis. Non-residents may purchase plots starting March 17, 2008. Plots are ready to plant in mid-May.
Mixed Municipal Solid Waste Deposit Disclosure
Pursuant to Minnesota Statue 115A.9302, which requires that a person who collects mixed municipal solid waste for transportation to a waste facility shall disclose to each waste generator from whom waste is collected the name, location, type of facility, and the number of the permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or its counterpart in another state, for the processing or disposal facility or facilities at which the waste will be deposited. The City of Hopkins (hauler), hereby discloses that the mixed municipal solid waste collected from January 1–December 31, 2008 will be delivered to the following facilities during that time period. If an additional facility becomes either a primary facility or an alternative facility during this time period, the City of Hopkins will provide you with updated information within 30 days.
Primary Facility Name: Hennepin Energy Resource Company (HERC)
Location: 505 6th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Type of Facility: Mass Burn Waste-to-Energy
MPCA Permit Number: SW-396
Primary Facility Name: NRG Elk River (NSP) Resource Recovery
Location: 10700 165th Ave NW, Elk River, MN 55330
Type of Facility: Refuse Derived Fuel Waste-to-Energy
MPCA Permit Number: SW-305
The following facility is used for disposal of construction and demolition material collected through our twice-yearly Bulk Item Drop-off and weekly Bulk Item Collection.
Alternative Facility Name: Dem Con Landfill, Inc.
Location: 331 Akers Lane, Jordan, MN 55352
Type of Facility: Construction Demolition Landfill
MPCA Permit Number: SW-290
You may be responsible for any liability that results from contamination at a facility where your waste has been deposited. Minnesota believes that its waste management system provides substantially more financial and environmental protection than depositing waste in landfills in other states. Managing your waste in Minnesota may minimize your potential liability.
Snow Line: 952-939-1399
Snow emergencies may be declared upon a two-inch snowfall. Parking restrictions will remain in effect until streets are plowed curb to curb and the parking lots and parking ramp are completely plowed. Visit here for more information on where to park during snow emergencies, and what to do if your vehicle is towed.
Recycling collection is February 4 –7 and 19 –22 (due to Presidents Day) .
Refuse collection is February 4 –7, 11 –14, 19–22 (due to Presidents Day), and 25–29.