Thefts, juvenile offenses up: Increased police activity in Rush City attributed to growth

Posted 5/23/01

Thefts, juvenile offenses up: Increased police activity in Rush City attributed to growth

By MaryHelen Swanson

In 1999, there were 1,158 law enforcement incidents in the city of Rush City as reported by Corporal Robert Shoemaker.

In the 2000 report, presented to the city council May 14, Corporal Scott Berg reported 1,271 incidents for the period January to December for the year 2000.

While some categories showed decreases, i.e. 20 DUIs in 1999 and nine in 2000, 34 forged/NSF checks in ë99 and 12 in 2000, and 20 ordinance violations in ë99 and 14 in 2000, there were several areas with notable increases.

The increases have been attributed to growth, according to city officials.

Criminal property damage cases went from 15 to 33, disturbances (which can include such things as 911 hangups) increased from 50 to 94 and traffic accidents increased from 27 to 36.

Auto theft incidents increased from eight in ë99 to 17, theft from 61 to 81, and burglaries from two to seven.
Animal complaints remained fairly steady increasing slightly from 52 to 58 in 2000.

Assaults/domestics increased from 33 to 44 and juvenile offenses increased from 19 to 45.

In addition to these figures, law enforcement responded to 29 fires in 2000 and issued 72 traffic citations.

Growth will continue, but slowly

Fred DeWall returned to the council, having been before them about six months ago, once again expressing interest in annexation of Larry Gratonís property as he is interested in residential development.

The city has a moratorium in place to halt continued growth until the cityís growth plan or comprehensive plan and subdivision ordinances have been revised.

Mayor Mike Skalsky told him it would not be proper to do an annexation until these issues are in order.

DeWall asked if the city wants to grow. Mayor Skalsky, noting that it already is, reminded him that thatís why the city is doing the updating. He also said the city would like growth to occur gradually outward from the city limits.
The cityís wastewater treatment capacity was questioned during this conversation.

It was noted that there is a potential for over 300 new homes with the current system. City Administrator Daniel Hoffman noted that if all the homes were built in the developments already approved at the golf course and Rush Landing, the city would be getting close to capacity.

Mayor Skalsky said public hearings will have to be held regarding proposed revisions in the comprehensive plan before more development is approved.

Brookside golf course opening delayed

While the city council did approve the utility plan for the west side of the freeway, to provide water and sewer access to Mike Murphyís Brookside Golf Course and residential living project, the late summer/early fall opening anticipated by Murphy will probably not occur.

Apparently, the east side (of the freeway) portion of this project will not occur as rapidly as expected with several permits yet to be applied for and received, including the MPCA, MnDOT, and Department of Health.

In addition, city engineer Bob Moberg explained that it will take a specialized contractor to do the crossing under the freeway which may take extra time to find.

Murphy, who was looking at a Sept 15-Oct. opening said he was concerned with the city still having to get these permits, particularly because he is footing the bill for the road and infrastructure on the west side. What happens if the city canít get the permits, he asked.

Moberg said he didnít think there would be any holdup of permits from the MPCA and the Department of Health. He does expect the MnDOT permit to take four to six weeks.
Hoffman told Murphy the city is doing all it can to get the project done.

In other business, the council:

ď Appointed Joe Donahue to the airport board and hired Randy Benolken as animal control officer.
ď Approved charitable gambling for Rush City JCís January 2002 raffle.
ď Adopted a resolution approving a tax abatement for Anita Lindís computer business for $8,000/year for 10 years. Lindís business, RTS, is expanding to a new location in the cityís industrial park.
ď Approved spending up to $6,800 for engineering services to study the removal of the two old city water towers. It was noted that the two new towers will be sufficient for a very long time and can serve up to as many as !5,000 houses.
ď Extending to June 17 the burning permit time.
ď Learned that this yearís street overlay projects will include portions of Dana, West 3rd, S. Eliot, S. Grey and West 10th for a cost of $42,151. A motion was also made to direct engineer Moberg to look at W. 9th Street for this year also.