The Roundabout

Editor’s Note: We have some breaking news about ourselves to kick off this week’s Roundabout. We are one of three local newsrooms in the metro area receiving a grant from the McKnight Foundation! More details below. As always, please share and encourage people to join our email list. It’s free and always will be! Donate to our cause if you’re able!

Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service

^{Newsletter Editor: Pat Mack}

Woodbury News Net To Benefit From McKnight Foundation Grant To Local Nonprofit Newsrooms

Woodbury News Net (WNN) is excited to be one of three nonprofit newsrooms to benefit from a $200,000 grant from the McKnight Foundation. The two-year grant will support WNN, Eden Prairie Local News, and Prior Lake News Compass in establishing their own independent, nonprofit newsrooms.

The grant also will help found the Metro Nonprofit News Network (MNNN) to help the three newsrooms share resources and technical support, develop their audiences, and grow their revenue while supporting the creation of other newsrooms across the metro area.

WNN launched its email newsletter, The Roundabout, on Aug. 1, sending it to its initial list of 100 supporters. Within two months, the subscriber base has grown to 2,000. WNN also has launched its website with weekly updates.

“The enthusiastic response to The Roundabout clearly demonstrates how much our community values having access to trustworthy journalism with content that is well-sourced, factual, and unbiased,” said Kathy Saltzman, a former state senator and one of the founding members of WNN. “We are both grateful and thrilled that the McKnight Foundation recognizes the value of local journalism and is supporting this collaborative work with our MNNN partners to grow more robust and sustainable local newsrooms.”

Susan Kent, also a former state senator for Woodbury and a WNN co-founder, said, “I was in office as all our local news outlets closed, and I heard from residents who were missing basic community information. Lack of local news has been shown to lead to lower voter turnout, more government waste and corruption, and less civic engagement. It’s exciting that major funders like the McKnight Foundation are stepping in to help local newsrooms grow and become independent. This grant is a major boost in our journey.”

“So many people have expressed their appreciation for our work,” said Pat Mack, a WNN co-editor and leader of its editorial group. “There’s a growing realization that the old business model for news is in trouble and communities need to create their own non-profit, independent news sources. This McKnight grant is a testament to the urgency of the moment.”

For the past year, WNN’s volunteer launch team has benefitted from advice and support provided by Eden Prairie Local News leadership who have generously shared their expertise and technical knowledge. The creation of the MNNN will allow for continued collaboration and growth. The Eden Prairie Community Foundation has played a key role as a catalyst and will serve as the fiscal sponsor for the network.

In addition to Kent, Mack and Saltzman, WNN’s leadership team includes Paul Huffman, Rich Radke, and Manali Shah. Stay tuned for more details on WNN’s plan to grow its newsroom. More information about the McKnight Foundation and the Metro Nonprofit News Network is here.

Woodbury Death Under Investigation

The Woodbury Police Department is investigating the death of an individual at a residence in the 500 block of Woodduck Drive. Woodbury Emergency Medical Services were called to the home for a medical emergency yesterday at 8:36 a.m. Life-saving measures could not revive the person. The police department is being assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in its investigation. Police are not yet releasing the name of the person or any other details but say it was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.

Man Accused Of Bank Robberies Plans Mental Illness Defense

A man accused of robbing two banks in Woodbury and one in Oakdale will undergo an examination to determine if he’s competent to stand trial. Washington County Judge Juanita Freeman ordered the exam yesterday after an attorney for Zahir Mohamednazir Bachelani of Woodbury told the court his client plans to enter a mental illness defense.

Six Things To Know About Public Safety Campus Ballot Question

_{By Pat Mack}

Voters in Woodbury are being asked to approve a 0.5 percent sales tax increase to help pay for a Public Safety Campus Project on this fall’s general election ballot. The project will expand and renovate the existing campus at 2100 Radio Drive. Here are six things to know before you vote.

What’s being proposed

Supporters say the city has outgrown the current campus that houses EMS, fire, police and their administrative staff. Since the facility was last updated in 2010, Woodbury has grown by 20,000 people. The city has purchased the adjacent Washington County Service Center at 2150 Radio Dr. and plans to remove that building and construct a new fire station. That station will connect to the existing public safety building, which will be renovated. City leaders says more space is needed for equipment and vehicles as well as for staff. They say the project will decrease emergency response times and make it safer for its vehicles to exit the site. The project will allow the city to house its medical, fire, police and emergency preparedness staff at the same location.

Breaking news: The project will move forward no matter what

City leaders say the Public Safety Campus project is so critical they will move ahead with construction, no matter the outcome of the ballot question. Voters are not being asked to approve or reject it. They’re being asked how to fund it. If a majority votes “yes,” most of the project will be paid for by a 0.5 percent sales tax increase. If a majority votes “no,” the project will be funded mostly by an increase in property taxes.

Why aren’t Woodbury residents voting on the project itself?

The city council usually approves capital improvement projects without a vote by residents. The recent $149.5 million contract approval for the Water Treatment Plant is one example. This project has been in that plan for six years and became a priority two years ago. State law, however, requires any sales tax increase be approved by voters, which is why the project is on the November ballot.

How much of the project cost will an increased sales tax cover?

The sales tax increase, if approved, would cover $50 million of the $60 million project cost. The city expects to fund the remaining $10 million from $5 million in property taxes and $5 million from other sources.

Why won’t the sales tax pay for the whole project?

In 2023 the city asked the state Legislature to allow voters to approve a sales tax increase to generate $50 million to cover the projected cost of the project. Between the time of the estimate and now, rising inflation and construction costs increased the budget to $60 million.

Why fund it through a sales tax increase?

One of the major reasons supporters say a sales tax increase makes sense is because it will prevent the entire cost of the project from falling on Woodbury residents. Everyone who shops at Woodbury’s retail establishments would chip in with each purchase. The city projects 53 percent of the revenue raised would come from people who live outside of Woodbury. If the ballot question is approved, the average Woodbury household is projected to pay $102 each year in higher taxes: $89 more in sales tax and $12 more in property taxes. If the project is financed solely through property taxes, the average Woodbury household would pay $141 more each year. The sales tax is expected to generate $50 million in 13 years, while it would take 20 years for property taxes to raise that amount. The current sales tax in Woodbury is 8.375 percent.

More information

The city has extensive information about the project, including answers to frequently asked questions, available here.

Council OKs East Ridge High School Expansion

_{By Pat Mack}

The Woodbury City Council last night approved a building plan for two additions to East Ridge High School. But first council members added a requirement that the South Washington County ISD 833 pay for a traffic study and any steps the study identifies to improve road safety.

Last November, voters in the district supported the additions by passing a $160 million referendum. The high school currently serves 1,900 students and the additions of 38,230 square feet will increase capacity to 2,300.

Marc DuBois, the project’s lead architect from KOMA Inc., said the goals are to meet student growth, increase space for the career and technical education program, and upgrade safety. “Our design has approached all of those in multiple aspects,” DuBois told the council.

The project will include a new kitchen and expanded cafeteria, six science classrooms, 12 general education classrooms, and four special education classrooms. An addition to the career and technical education wing will create a flex-build lab for construction trades.

Because of a recent building code change a portion of the classroom expansion will be designed to serve as a storm shelter that can accommodate 2,900 people.

The school’s drop off zone will be increased, which will allow more vehicles to exit Hargis Parkway to pick up or drop off students. The project also will reconfigure staff parking and redesign the plaza space at the Athletics and Activities entrance, with a second secure entry point being added.

Eric Searles, Woodbury’s city planner, said 208 parking spots will be added, which school officials believe is sufficient to meet demand. About 100 trees will be planted to replace that number being removed for the project.

Council member Steve Morris lives by the school and said that he and his neighbors are highly concerned about the dangers of existing traffic. After his urging, the council required the district to study how the project will affect traffic and mitigate any increased impact.

Kraus-Anderson of Minneapolis will be the construction manager for the project. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2025 and be completed by the fall of 2026.

Council Seeks Applications For Citizen Advisory Commissions

Residents interested in becoming more involved in local government are encouraged to apply this week for open positions on Citizen Advisory Commissions.  The deadline to apply is Wed., Oct. 16 at 4:30 p.m.  Terms of service are three years in most cases and appointed members serve on a volunteer basis.  The City Council will interview all applicants on Sat., Nov. 2.

 The following commissions have open positions:  

• Audit and Investment Commission

• Economic Development Commission

• Planning Commission

• Parks and Natural Resources Commission 

• Watershed District

• South Washington County Telecommunications Commission

Tenth and 11^th grade students living in Woodbury are also able to apply for two, one-year positions on the Parks and Natural Resources and Planning Commissions.

"Serving on the Parks and Natural Resources Commission for the past six years has been an honor as I'm passionate about Woodbury's parks, natural resources, and excellent recreation facilities and programs,” said Debbie Musser.  “As commissioners, we serve in an advisory role to the city council, and we also have the unique opportunity to learn from and provide feedback to our outstanding city staff."

Erich Mische is a three-year resident of Woodbury and serves on the Economic Development Commission.  "There's no limit to how one can give back to their community and serve, even if they aren't an expert, a politician, or a long-time resident of Woodbury.  Serving on an advisory commission gives each of us a role in helping guide the future of our community. If we want to ensure that everyone has a voice, then we have an obligation and opportunity to use our voice to serve, " Mische said.

 More information about the city’s citizen advisory commissions and the application process is available online.  

Schweisguth Named Executive Director Of SWCTC

_{By Lyndsay Zadnik}

”I went off to college at Bemidji State University and worked at the PBS station up there, and I worked at the campus TV station as the news director as a freshman, and I loved it,” she said. “I thought, ‘How cool of a job is this?’ ”

After college, Schweisguth made her way back home and was looking for a place to work, which landed her at SWCTC in 2000.

“I was kind of an intern before interns were a thing. Then they started paying me, and I started cable casting city meetings, and shortly after they hired me as a full-time producer,” Schweisguth said. “Twenty-five years later and I’m still here!”

Schweisguth describes SWCTC as a community media center. SWCTC live streams civic meetings and helps cities put together audio-visual projects, but it also tells stories about the people who live, work, and play locally.

Schweisguth had previously served as executive director in an interim capacity when her predecessor left the organization at the end of 2023. The choice to move away from producing videos was a tough one, but she found herself pleasantly surprised with how much she enjoyed her new role.

In addition to her new title, there are several exciting changes in the future for SWCTC. Its current building is in Cottage Grove, but SWCTC will be moving into the renovated Central Park building in Woodbury, when that project is completed in mid-2025. In addition to its television broadcasting, SWCTC will also be starting up a radio station in 2025 or 2026.

One final initiative in the future for SWCTC is a new name. Schweisguth said the new title will be launched around mid-2025.

One of Schweisguth’s favorite things about her job is the opportunity it’s given her to get to know people in the county.

“I always think it’s such an honor that somebody talks to me and shares things about their life with me, and they trust me enough to tell their story.”

County Wins Award For Inclusive Outdoor Program

^{By Manali Shah}

Washington County has won a 2024 Achievement Award for adding diversity to its parks and recreation services.

Since 1970 NACo (National Association of Counties) Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services in 18 categories covering county responsibilities including arts, culture and historic preservation, parks and recreation, children and youth, and community and economic development.

Washington County’s award recognizes its BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) connect 2024 program series. Pilot programs involved BIPOC people in small groups of 10-15 along with BIPOC guides, to explore the county parks through activities including hikes, snowshoeing, and kayaking.  

One Tuesday a month, the BIPOC program removes financial barriers by offering free entry and parking to all residents.

Elena Schewe, parks equity coordinator for Washington County, explains how this program emerged. “Before the planning stages of this program series, our team researched visitor trends and public feedback around the Washington County parks system. We found that communities of color are underrepresented in the parks and recreation world due to historical challenges regarding access or culture,” Schewe said. “This can mean where parks are developed, economic strain to access a park, and prejudice out on the trails. We believe everyone deserves a space outside where they can practice wellness and recreate safely, so this program series is working to adjust this culture and bring people into our parks.”

Experience an inclusive event this weekend. Washington County Parks and Recreation Services is offering a Night Hike in the Lake Elmo Park Reserve on Saturday, October 12, at 6 p.m.

High School Marching Band Showcase Saturday

A fall favorite for local marching band fans is the annual South Washington County Schools District Marching Band Showcase featuring all three of the district’s high schools: East Ridge Marching Raptors, Park Marching Wolfpack, and Woodbury Marching Royals. The 2024 Showcase will take place on Sat., Oct.12 at East Ridge High School Stadium in Woodbury.   

Performances will begin at 2 p.m., but fans are encouraged to come early starting at 11 a.m. to enjoy food trucks including Egg Roll Queen, Caribou Coffee, Chick-fil-A, and Nothing Bundt Cakes. The program will also include a combined SoWashCo Marching Band and a Mass Band performance featuring 8th grade band members from all four ISD #833 middle schools.

Tickets can be purchased online. Adults tickets are $8, students are $5, and free for senior citizens 60+, children age 5 and under, and Middle School Band Members.    

More Events Of Note

• Washington County 4-H Open House at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Washington County Fairgrounds.

• Spooky Stories returns to Lake Elmo Park Reserve from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. October 11.

• Fox Run Fire Station Open House Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 1275 Woodbury Dr. A chance to climb on fire trucks and meet firefighters!

• Woodbury Lakes Harvest Hop Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9020 Hudson Rd. for fall family fun.

• Stillwater Harvest Fest Oct. 12-13 in Lowell Park in downtown Stillwater. Billed as the Midwest’s premier giant pumpkin festival, the event includes pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin drop, kids’ activities, live music, bingo, chili cook off, vendor market, and beer and food garden.

• Halloween Hoopla, an event for children, Oct. 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Ojibway Park in Woodbury. Come dressed up in your best costume for pumpkin decorating, trick or treating, and carnival games.

• Let’s Pawty, a Halloween dog event, Oct. 19 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Heritage Village Park at Inver Grove Heights.

• East Metro Symphony Orchestra concert, Italian Symphony, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Dr. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.

Election 2024 Information

Our Election 2024 center has information and resources about where to vote, what’s on the ballot, and how to register. We also have our coverage and links to forums for key races in Woodbury.

Update on Woodbury News Net:

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