SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION

What Do Septic Systems Do?

Septic systems protect human health and the environment by safely recycling wastewater back into the natural environment. Septic systems treat wastewater as well as, or better than, municipal treatment systems at a reasonable cost when properly designed, installed, operated, and maintained.

Federal, state, and local regulation of on-site systems focuses on proper treatment of sewage to protect citizens, communities, and the environment.

Additional information can be found at the University of Minnesota Extension website:

http://septic.umn.edu/homeowner/index.html

http://septic.umn.edu/factsheets/understanding.html

WELLS

Most households in Woodland have a private well as their water source.  Well records are kept with the State of Minnesota Health Department. 

MUNICIPAL SEWER AND WATER SERVICE

The City of Minnetonka provides municipal water service to a small portion of Woodland.  The neighborhood known as Groveland Homeowners Association and several properties along Stone Arch Road.  These neighborhoods are located along the north east municipal boundary of Woodland adjacent to Minnetonka.

Quarterly Billing:  The City sends quarterly bills to the households connected to the municipal sewer and water system.  The rate is determined by the City of Minnetonka's prevailing rate to their residents. 

Each property in the City that is connected to the municipal system receives a bill for actual water usage.  The charge for sewage is based on the winter quarter usage.  That means the bills received following the winter quarter generally shows the lowest water consumption because residents aren’t watering their lawns, filling swimming pools, washing cars, or any of the other outdoor uses that do not go into the sewage system. That base is used throughout the year on the remaining three quarterly bills to calculate the sewage charge.  The water charge is based on actual consumption each quarter.  The water meter is read once a quarter and the amount used is rounded to the nearest 1,000 gallons of usage and billed accordingly.  Woodland residents are required to pay a minimum of 15,000 gallons per quarter based on our agreement with the City of Minnetonka.

Direct Auto Payments:  Residents can now sign up for direct auto payment of their municipal utility bill.  Complete the following authorization form and attached the documents as required and return to the City of Woodland.  Once completed, auto payments will be debited from your account on the due date stated on the municipal utility bill.

Direct Payment Authorization Form

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BUILDING PERMITS

Building permits are required for construction. Check with the Building Inspections Department at 952-474-4755 if you have questions regarding permits.  See the home page for downloadable building permit application forms.

ELECTIONS

The Primary & General Election, to be held in 2010

Absentee ballots are available 30 days prior to the Elections

Subscription TV and High-Speed Internet

Mediacom handles cable systems in the City of Woodland and can be contacted at 800-332-0245. 

GARBAGE

Residents contract with a garbage hauler of their choice.

RECYCLING

Waste Management collects recycling bi-weekly.  Every other Thursday.  Have your cart available at 7:00 a.m. Questions, call 952-890-1100.  The recycling truck will come up your driveway to the garage to collect the cart.  Your cart must be outside for collection.  The drivers will not enter your garage.  If you want to make any changes with the cart size or have questions, please call the City Hall at 952-474-4755.

Recycling Collection Dates:

Bi-weekly - Every other Thursday except as noted

In 2009, First week of January, and Labor Day week, will affect recycling collection by one day.

DOG LICENSE

Dog licenses are not required in Woodland.  However, a permit and Council approval are required to keep more than two dogs at one residence. 

Applications are available at City Hall.  These permits must be renewed annually. City Ordinance 405

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Fire Chief - Kevin Klapprich

Fire Protection services are contracted through the Wayzata Fire Department.

Emergency 911  0r  Non-emergency 952-404-5337

The Wayzata Fire Department responds to all fire call pages.  (actual fires and false or unintentional fire alarms)

Residents are charged for any fire calls made to their property, whether the call was an actual fire or a false alarm (accidental or unintentional calls or automatic alarms that trigger the fire department response).  The property owner will be charged $250 for the first call and $500 for a second call and any subsequent calls made within the same calendar year.  Any unpaid fire call charge(s) will be assessed an additional $100 penalty and are subject to assessment to the property taxes.

RECREATIONAL FIRES - Ordinance 400

400.03  Exemptions from Open Burning Prohibitions.  Open burning of the types, and subject to the conditions stated in this Section, are exempt from the prohibition of Section 400.02.

Subd.1.  Recreational Fires  All recreational fires, including campfires and  bonfires.  All recreational fires shall be subject to the following general conditions:

                    a) the fire must be kept a minimum of 25 feet from any structure;

                    b) the fire must be in a non-combustible fire ring or container;

                    c) the firewood must be no larger than 36 inches in perimeter                           and twenty four inches high (3’ X 2’);

                    d) the fire must be attended at all times and there must be                         a fire extinguisher available or garden hose connected to a                          water supply readily available for use

Recreational fires that exceed these general standards are prohibited unless a permit  has been issued for the fire.  At the discretion of the City, recreational fires may be prohibited, and permits for other open burning will not be issued, when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. 

Know the Law regarding underage drinking

Woodland has listed resources provided by the Minnetonka and Hopkins School Districts regarding the law on underage drinking and the impact to teens and adults who provide alcohol to underage persons.  Resources can be found at www.tonkacares.org

Tonka Cares - Resource handout

Minnesota Laws regarding underage drinking & hosting underage drinking

Teen Drivers  - Tools for helping teens become safer drivers

Learning to drive a car can be very exciting for young drivers but maybe not so much for their parents.  Good resources can be found through your auto insurance company.  We have posted an example of a driving contract that is one example that may be helpful for parents and teens as they begin to drive and share the road with more and less experienced drivers.