The Roundabout

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^{Newsletter Editor: Pat Mack}

Farmer’s Market Succeeding In New Location

_{By Manali Shah}

Most vendors say a new location for the weekly Farmer’s Market in Woodbury hasn’t dampened sales.

On a recent sunny Sunday morning, just before 11 am, there was a long line of cars entering the parking lot at Red Rock Elementary School. Cars were also parked on the streets outside neighborhood houses.

“I think there are the same number of people here compared to last year,” said a smiling Cher Lyfoung of Mai’s Birds and Veggies. She was upbeat and chirpy, standing behind a long stall full of bright red tomatoes and crisp multi-colored peppers. Lyfoung thought that the old location at Central Park was more visible but she had not heard of many complaints from customers about the new premises.

The layout of the market at Red Rock is a series of loops, compared to a long line of vendors in two rows facing each other, with a wide space in the middle, in the previous Central Park parking lot. Construction at the traditional site at Central Park forced a move to Red Rock Elementary’s parking lot.

Brian Harrens of Novak’s Orchard, who has been selling at the Woodbury Farmers’ Market for over 15 years, is happy with the new location. “Sales are about the same. Personally, I liked the old set-up where all vendors were in one row.” Harrens mentioned that some customers have said that parking is easier at Red Rock.

This sentiment is echoed by first-year vendors Adria and Jeffrey of Nana’s Cottage Minnesota, a microbakery. The bakery sells goodies like homemade baked fruit scones and artisan breads.

“As a consumer, I feel that there are lots of vendor spaces and parking is better at this location. “ I feel like it is easier to shop and visit.” Adria said. As a vendor, she is upbeat about the business.

Customer Deb Smieja was all smiles as she headed back with her loaded bags, pretty flowers peeking out from one end. She is happy now that she eventually found the new location.” I love it,” Smieja said. But that was only after she found the new spot. Her mobile phone displayed the old location when she searched online.

Veteran vendor Sheldon Hotzoer of Great Harvest Bread Company feels that the old location was better. Market regulars may recall him, happily talking about all the breads he has on sale for the day and even offering them a free sample. Hotzoer does not like the loop set-up or the parking situation. His biggest grouse was that the location change was not advertised very well. He said he encountered the same thing when the Andover, MN, market had changed locations. “But things have picked up here too,” says Sheldon.

Lyfoung says it best. “We love the people of Woodbury. They will find us anywhere.”

The Farmers’ Market in Woodbury, hosted by the St. Paul Farmers’ Market, is held on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year it will end on Oct. 27.

City Considering Ordinance On Keeping Chickens

The City of Woodbury is proposing to change its livestock ordinance to allow residents to keep chickens on certain properties. The revised ordinance would allow three hens on lots of up to 3.99 acres and one chicken per acre on properties over four acres. Currently, livestock are only permitted on properties of five acres or more. A city survey showed a majority of respondents approved the proposed change.

Public Safety Campus Tour Oct. 1

A tour of the Woodbury Public Safety Campus will be held Oct. 1 as a way for residents to learn more about the proposed sales tax ballot question. Voters will decide if the sales tax should be raised 0.5 percent to help pay for a $60 million expansion of the safety campus. The tax is projected to raise $50 million in 13 years with a property tax increase likely covering the remaining $10 million. If the tax fails, the entire cost of the project would be financed through an increase in property taxes. More information on the project can be found here. The public tour with Mayor Anne Burt will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Education Center of the Public Safety Campus at 2100 Radio Drive.

Valley Creek Road Open House Oct. 1

An open house to discuss possible improvements to Valley Creek Road in Woodbury will be held Oct. 1. The event will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Woodbury City Hall. Washington County, in partnership with the City of Woodbury, is conducting a corridor study of the major road from Interlachen Parkway to Manning Ave. The study will analyze highway capacity, intersections, access, right-of-way, drainage, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.

Solar Panels To Be Part Of New County Service Center

Solar panels will be added to the county’s Central Service and License Center being built in Woodbury. The county board Tuesday approved a $191,014 contract with Energy Concepts for the rooftop photovoltaic solar panels that will be installed on the building near the corner of Woodlane Drive and Guider Drive. It will be the first county building to boast rooftop solar. In a news release, the county states the facility will include sustainable building materials as well as sustainable elements like stormwater runoff and indoor air handling and lighting systems. The building will replace the service center at 2150 Radio Drive and expand services for residents in the central part of the county. Construction is expected to be finished next summer.

Workshop Offered To Reduce Home Energy Use

A free workshop in Woodbury will help homeowners save money and reduce their carbon footprint. The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Grove United Methodist Church at 7465 Steepleview Rd. Sign up for lunch and learn here. Hosted by the Grove Sustainability Project, the workshop will include representatives from the nonprofits Center for Energy and the Environment and Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light. Experts will review home energy audits, upgraded insulation, air-source heat pumps, and solar as well as digital tools to track energy use. They’ll also share how to access thousands in tax credits and utility rebates.

City Council Candidates Exchange Views

^{By Manali Shah}

The Woodbury Cottage Grove League of Women Voters held a question and answer session with candidates for the Woodbury City Council on September 12th. Voters will elect two council members to four-year terms that begin in January.

Six of the eight candidates attended the forum including:

• Murid Amini: Woodbury resident for 20 years

• Timothy Brewington: Woodbury resident for 11 years

• Dave Hoelzel: Woodbury resident for 13 years

• Temmy Olasimbo: Woodbury resident for 18 years

• Donna Stafford: Woodbury resident for 35 years

• Kim Wilson (incumbent): Woodbury resident for 31 years

You can watch the forum here. The following are brief summaries of the candidates’ responses to questions about several issues impacting the city.

Top Two Issues

Wilson: Public Safety and Staffing. We need to bring up staffing levels for the Public Safety Department and also ensure that we retain staff.

Brewington: Public Safety and affordable housing

Amini: Adequate management and oversight of the pretty hefty investments that we've made in the water treatment plant as well as Central Park and the upcoming Public Safety campus.

Stafford: Public safety, affordable housing and transport for seniors

Hoelzel: Water implementation. Current city council has done well in getting the plan designed but now we have to implement it.

Olasimbo: Public safety, staffing, and housing. Currently young people can rent but not buy.

What proposals would you support to decrease crime and promote public safety?

Brewington: Public safety should mutually share information to build relationships with the community.

Wilson: If you have relationships with the community, a lot of crimes can be stopped before they happen.

Amini: Focus on training police, invest in resources like license plate readers, and invest more in social work and mental health resources for the police force.

Stafford: Ensure that the community has faith in our public safety team. Also get neighbors together with public safety like they do with Night to Unite.

Hoelzel: Agree with what others said. He saw technology in action on a ride-along with a police officer and belies we can make technology a proactive tip for the community. Need more discussions for public safety on the Gold Line.

Olasimbo: Dialogue between police and city officials. Allocating budget for safety personnel.

What can the city council do about housing affordability?

Hoelzel: As a part of its 2040 Comprehensive plan, Woodbury has a commitment to 50/50 housing. That means 50 percent of larger homes and 50 percent of townhome/apartment building type.

Olasimbo: Create some lending options. Give grants instead of loans to those who are trying to build their first house.

Wilson: We have an HRA program in our city that provides financing to low- and moderate-income first time home buyers. And also low-interest reinvestment loans for people to fix up their homes. In 2024, the city just approved 489 more affordable housing units.

Brewington: The city should put funds back in HRA. We need to offer developers incentives to increase diversity of housing options, like smaller houses within Woodbury.

Amini: Agree with the above points. Also, avoid single source developers. With control over zoning and permits, force the developers to follow rules so that they don’t build only $700,000 homes.

Stafford: Communicate properly about the programs we have through HRA and HUD that would allow young people to live in Woodbury and continue living here when they retire.

What do you plan to do to support safe air, water, and soil in our community?

Amini: Work with the water treatment facility to ensure the health of the community. More opportunities for recycling and for citizens to start composting.

Brewington: The Woodbury Park Commission is working on environmental stewardship, including looking at what tools will help us. Invite the community to give us input.

Hoelzel: Encourage “green” behavior and use of solar energy.

Wilson: Continue to implement smart irrigation, toilet replacement, and stormwater reuse programs. Need to tackle noise pollution.

Stafford: Fully support solar. Continue with FoodScraps for compost.

Olasimbo: Ways to sustainably maintain clean air and water. Emphasize ways to prevent further water contamination.

School Board Candidates Face Off At Forum

All six candidates for Independent School District 622, which serves part of Woodbury, participated Monday in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters Roseville Area. The candidates are Miriam Janechek, incumbent Nancy Livingston, Justin Middaugh, incumbent Charlotte (Char) Nitardy, Katie Swor, and incumbent Kita Yang. Four candidates will be elected to the board Nov. 5. You can watch the forum here.

Forum Held for State Candidates Representing Woodbury

The Democratic and Republican candidates for Woodbury’s two state house districts exchanged views at a recent forum. The Woodbury Cottage Grove Area League of Women Voters sponsored the event on Sept. 12 for candidates running for Minnesota House Districts 47A & 47B. State Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, a Democrat, is being challenged by Teresa Whitson, a Republican, in District 47A. State Rep. Ethan Cha, a Democrat, is being challenged by Dwight Dorau, a Republican, in District 47B. You can watch the forum here.

Soccer Teams Compete Off The Field To Fight Hunger

Two high school soccer teams in Woodbury set aside their rivalry to help fight hunger. Athletes from the East Ridge High School team reached out to the Woodbury High team for a joint fundraiser that benefited the SoWashCo CARES Education Foundation.

The soccer teams gathered donations to help students experiencing food insecurity. A statement from the school district stated the project allowed student-athletes to learn about food and housing insecurity and experience how to advocate, mobilize, and support their community.

The fundraiser culminated during the annual soccer derby earlier this month. Team East Ridge donated $590 and Team Woodbury raised $435 for a total of $1,025. In addition, a barrel-full of ready-to-eat meals and snacks were donated.

“I think it’s also important to highlight that this is such a beautiful moment in high school sports. Competition doesn’t always bring out the best in people. These athletes are eager to work together for this mission. We’re all so proud of them.” said Shireen Sakizadeh, President of the East Ridge High School Soccer Booster Club.

The money will be used by SoWashCares to purchase ready-to-eat meals and snacks for distribution to students in need at SoWashCo high schools and the Next Step/Pathways transition program.

Big Truck Day Saturday

Trucks, tractors and other big rigs will be on display Saturday, Sept. 28, for the 14th annual Big Truck Day. The fun begins at 8:30 a.m. with sensory hour - no lights, sirens or horns until 9:30 a.m. and continues until noon. The trucks will be parked in the Red Fields parking lot at M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Drive. Vehicles to climb and explore include an ambulance, fire truck, police car, snowplow, school bus, tow truck, garbage truck and ice cream truck. In addition to the big trucks, the Teddy Bear Band will be performing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The free event is sponsored by Woodbury Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Public Safety and the Washington County Library.

More Area Events Of Note

Here are some events coming up in the region that might be of interest:

• Afton Art in the Park Sept. 28-29 in Town Square Park

• Rocktoberfest at Siren Brewery in Stillwater Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6

• Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival Sept. 28-29 in Lakefront Park in Hudson

• Halloween Costume Swap Oct. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Environmental Center.

• Fall Night Hike at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

• Night Owl Races - 5k, 10k & 6-hour shuffle - Oct. 5 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

• Rivertown Fall Art Festival 2024 Oct. 5-6 in downtown Stillwater

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