DigElogROCORI

ROCORI City Update * July 9, 2008

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In this edition of the ROCORI Update, the three city administrators discuss some unique items that are going on in their respective towns.

ROCKVILLE
Rena Weber tells us about a new tactic that the Rockville City Council is employing to help cut down city spending. The City Council Packets are now online and you can view those packets @ www.rockvillecity.org. This was done in an effort to cut down on delivery spending (specifically gasoline) as well as move the city in a more “virtual” direction where as in the future, all city documents will be online.

COLD SPRING
Larry Lahr gives us an update on the Hometown Pride Days festival which is coming up at the end of this month. For more detailed information, look for the yellow flyers that feature times and locations for all of the events. Also, stay tuned to DigElog ROCORI as we will bring you more information as the 25th of July gets closer.

RICHMOND
Lastly, Dan Coughlin gives us an update about the waste water treatment plant in Richmond. There has been substantial work to help reduce the amount of cost and pollution at the treatment center, and we are pleased to say that the project has been a success. Thanks to all who were and who are continued to be involved with that effort. As always, stay tuned to DigElog ROCORI for all of your city update needs.


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Click Here To Find Out More About The First National Bank Of Cold Spring

ROCORI Swimming Pool Emergency PART II

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Last week Wednesday, March 26th, there was a medical emergency involving 37 students and a staff member at ROCORI High School. There have been a number of stories circulated by both print and television media as to the facts and details of this emergency incident that involved 12 agencies and more than 50 firefighters.

In this 15 minute video story, you'll hear the moment by moment details of the incident from three important perspectives:

• Ken Kraemer, director of buildings/grounds who was working on the pool heating and filtering system
• Tim Dockendorf, a 9th grade student who was in the pool at the time
• Scott Staska, District Superintendent involved with all aspects of the emergency response

This in-depth, step-by-step analysis of what took place that afternoon based on the first hand accounts of these three participants, provides an important foundation of perceptions, facts and details surrounding this emergency.  Although no definitive answer has yet been determined for the cause of the emergency, this story provides the basic information and observations of what took place.

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Letter Distributed Thursday, March 27th, 2008

ROCORI Legislators

Thank you for the notes, calls and your thoughts over the last two days.  I, and the ROCORI District, appreciate your responses to our situation.

I know that each of you has asked for an update and/or information about the conditions at ROCORI.  We completed a fairly "normal" day of school today for most of our students and staff.  Everything seemed to go very well.

To the best of my knowledge and information, everyone who experienced symptoms from Wednesday should have short-lived conditions.  None of the medical conditions were considered by medical staff to be critical in nature.  A number of the students, including some of those held overnight at the hospital, returned to school today.  Some students did not return to school today and/or did have to go home but were advised to have rest, take over-the-counter medications, and see how they felt after 24 hours. 

I would offer the following information as a "summary" of what happened on Wednesday and what we have learned today.

As you are well aware, there was an "incident" on Wednesday in the pool area of the high school.  As best we can determine, the waterpumps for the pool had been shut off for some maintenance work--for a period of about 10 minutes.  The work that was done was to simply attach a fixture for a relief valve, but the work on the waterpipe was on the surface of the pipe and did not even enter the waterline itself.  The waterline was opened to drain it, but there was no work done inside the pipe. 

When the water was turned back on, the fixtures or jets in the pool "bubbled" before the water was flowing smoothly--much as what happens when you first turn on a water hose, for example.  Although there were no dangerous chemicals released into the pool, for some reason this bubbling effect caused a reaction among students and staff.  A number of students and the physical education teacher experienced sickness and symptoms of dry, scratchy throats, red eyes and some experienced nausea.  A few students came out of the class and reported to the nurse's office.  Shortly after, a number of others were directed to the nurse office and, because of sheer numbers and uncertainty of the issue, a 911 call was placed by the school resource officer.

As the emergency response teams arrived at the building, they encountered the large number of students coming out of the physical education class without a known cause for the symptoms.  We were directed, and rightfully so given the unknown issues, to evacuate the building as a precautionary measure until the problem could be identified.

The local emergency response teams called in the St. Cloud Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Unit to assist--on the assumption that there was a chlorine gas leak.  We do not, however, have any chlorine gas on site so that could not have been the cause.  The Haz Mat unit conducted their work in the building and reported, shortly after 4:00, that the pool area, in particular, and the building overall had an air quality of zero parts per million for hazardous chemicals. 

Once the air quality was determined, the custodial team returned to the building.  Ken Kraemer, our Director of Buildings and Grounds, did a water check in the pool and the quality of the water was exactly as it should be--which was consistent with the testing on Tuesday and earlier Wednesday morning.  (Our custodial staff checks the pool levels and balance on a daily basis.)  Because of the "chemical concerns" reported by the emergency officials, the Department of Agriculture and the Fire Marshall were dispatched to the building.  Both agencies gave approval to continue business as usual.

We also learned, from Commercial Pools (the company from whom we purchase our pool supplies--and who regularly assist with pool monitoring) that we had a maximum of 20 gallons of liquid chlorine on our site.  They explained to us that the entire 20 gallons could have been dumped into the pool without any significant risk to anyone--the additional chlorine would have been absorbed into the water without incident.

In addition to the reports on Wednesday, we have had a number of other agencies out to the district to review our systems and operations.  The Stearns County Department of Health pool certification team, along with the Public Works official from the City of Cold Spring, were here this morning and confirmed that there was not enough liquid chlorine on hand to have caused any kind of disturbance in the pool.  The Stearns County staff also watched the custodial staff go through all of the steps that had occurred on Wednesday, operated all of the valves, opened and closed all of the safety systems, examined the entire pool supply system, and concluded that all features were (and are) fully operational and functioned exactly as they are supposed to function.

The Minnesota Department of Health had an inspector on site today reviewing all of the same information.  The conclusion of the Department of Health was consistent with each of the other agencies--all systems are functioning properly, all safety features were working fully, and the level of liquid chlorine was such that an incident with chlorine could not have occurred.

We had excellent response, yesterday from the high school staff in evacuating the building, moving students to Cold Spring Elementary, in monitoring movement around the building, and working through the situation.  We had excellent cooperation from CSE in allowing the high school students to be relocated to the gym.  Our bus contractors did an excellent job of getting to the school early and making some adjustments to get students home properly.  The good news is that a "test" of our emergency response system worked in excellent fashion! 

At this time, the building is clear.  There are no chemical concerns to which we need to attend.  We will continue to work through the custodial staff to monitor our pool operations, but everything was functioning perfectly.  We certainly do not know what happened to make people ill, but we do know that all of the operations of the pool are performing exactly as expected and required.

Thanks!

Scott Staska
ROCORI School District Superintendent

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View Original Story and On-Site DigElogROCORI coverage.

ROCORI High School Emergency

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2:30 pm
Late this afternoon, some sort of chemical release occurred in the swimming pool at ROCORI High School. Unofficially about a dozen students were treated with oxygen and then transported to the St. Cloud Hospital for further observation. No one appears to be seriously injured.

Local authorities are now sending in testing crews to find out exactly
what happened and how the situation can be remedied.

More on this story to follow....

3:30 News Conference

Firefighter and Mayor Doug Schmitz gave further details as to the happenings this afternoon.  As reported earlier the incident took place in the ROCORI High School pool area about 1:30 pm this afternoon.  The emergency personnel were contacted at 1:41 pm when two of the students reported some difficulty with breathing. 

The building was immediately cleared of all students and staff.  A "hot zone" was created for all who were experiencing problems and needed treatment.  Students who had not be affected by the possible chlorine accident were moved to near by Cold Spring Elementary and directed to the gymnasium there.

A hazardous materials team arrived from St. Cloud at 2:22 pm. 

A total of 37 students and one staff member were involved with the afternoon emergency.  Four victims were transported to the Paynesville hospital and the rest went to St. Cloud Hospital including one by air ambulance.

What happens to chlorine in the body?

When chlorine enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing, or skin contact, it reacts with water to produce acids. The acids are corrosive and damage cells in the body on contact.

What are the immediate health effects of chlorine exposure?

Most harmful chlorine exposures are the result of inhalation. Health effects typically begin within seconds to minutes. Following chlorine exposure, the most common symptoms are:

• Airway irritation
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Chest tightness
• Eye irritation
• Skin irritation

The severity of health effects depend upon the route of exposure, the dose and the duration of exposure to chlorine. Breathing high levels of chlorine causes fluid build-up in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary edema. The development of pulmonary edema may be delayed for several hours after exposure to chlorine. Contact with compressed liquid chlorine may cause frostbite of the skin and eyes.

What can you do if you think you may have been exposed to a release of chlorine?

If you have been exposed to a release of chlorine, take the following steps:

• Quickly move away from the area where you think you were exposed. If the release was indoors, go outdoors.
  • If you are near a release of chlorine, emergency coordinators may tell you to either evacuate the area or to "shelter in place." To "shelter in place" means to remain indoors to avoid being exposed to the chemical. While indoors, shut and lock all doors and windows, turn off air conditioners, fans and heaters, and close fireplace dampers.
  • For more information on evacuation during a chemical emergency, see Facts About Evacuation (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/evacuationfacts.asp). For more information on sheltering in place during a chemical emergency, see Facts About Sheltering in Place (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/Shelteringfacts.asp).
• Quickly remove any clothing that may have chlorine on it. If possible, clothing that is normally removed over the head (like t-shirts and sweaters) should be cut off the body to prevent additional contact with the agent.
  • Place your clothing inside a plastic bag and seal the bag tightly.
  • Do not handle the plastic bag, and wait for instructions on proper disposal.
  • Disposing of your clothing in a sealed bag helps protect you and other people from additional exposure.
  • Store the bagged clothing in a secure location away from people, especially children.
• Quickly wash any chlorine from your skin with large amounts of soap and water, and flush your eyes with large amounts of water.
  • Remove and dispose of contact lenses.
  • Wash eyeglasses with soap and water before wearing.
• If needed, seek medical attention right away.

How is chlorine exposure treated?

To limit health effects from exposure to chlorine, wash eyes and skin as quickly as possible with large amounts of water.

There is no antidote for chlorine poisoning, but chlorine's effects are treatable, and most people recover. People who experience serious health effects (such as severe eye or airway irritation, severe coughing, difficulty breathing, pulmonary edema) may need hospital care.

Cold Spring Selected 2007 OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY

Excerpts from Fall 2007 Initiative Foundation Magazine

Cold Spring 20/20 Links & References

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Minnesota Design Team Visit June 10 - 13, 2004

Cold Spring 20/20 Photo History

New 20/20 Future Vision    September 19, 2006

ROCORI Trail Open House     January 10, 2007

Rain Gardens In Lion's Park        July 1, 2006

Rain Gardens @ Lions' Park II      July 10, 2006

Rural Stearns Faith In Action

ROCORI Area Community Band
 

 

 

"VOTE YES ROCORI" Referendum Committee Formed

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A group of over 30 local citizens have recently organized to support a ROCORI School District Operating Referendum that will be voted on this November 6th, 2007.  The District is requesting an increase of $344 per student which amounts to a total request of an additional $800,000 per year for the next six years.
The operating levy is needed to begin to offset the cuts that have been made over the past 8 years in the district.  These cuts have had an impact on the quality of education ROCORI children are receiving. 

In this story, a number of committee volunteers talk about why they feel this referendum is important to the future success of our kids.  They share their sincere and passionate interest in helping to get this referendum approved come November.

For More Information Check Out:  "Vote Yes ROCORI!" Website

IMPORTANT! ROCORI Watering Ban Update

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This story is about the ODD-EVEN Watering Bans that are now instituted in both the cities of Cold Spring and Rockville.  Because of the dry conditions we have experienced all summer the cities of Cold Spring and Rockville are forced to take water conservation steps.  To do this an odd numbered homes should water on the odd days of the month (ie:  301 1st St. would water on Aug 7, 9, 11, 13 etc) and even numbered homes should water on the even days of the month (ie:  302 1st St. would water on Aug 10, 12, 14, 16... etc.)  There is no watering ban in Richmond.

City of Cold Spring Telephone 320-685-3653.

Rockville City Hall at  (320) 251-5836.

City of Richmond            320-597-2075.

UNIQUE VISITORS SURPASS 13,000

Stories for the FIRST WEEK OF APRIL 2006

Here are some of the stories you will find on DigElogROCORI later this week.

  The Nathan Walz Benefit

  A tribute to "Cliff Mitchell"

  The contribution Gold'n Plump makes to the "Land Of ROCORI"

  Rep Larry Hosch "Captial Update."

Why Do I Live Here... IN ROCORI LAND?

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This is a fun little story where our video journalists canvassed the "Land Of ROCORI" asking the question, "Why Do You Live Here?"

You'll be surprised at some of the responses we got.  From teenagers to seniors, there's a pattern here that comes through loud and clear.  What would your answer be to this question? 

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This story also became a part of our affiliate partner's coverage of the same question state-wide.  See the response from Minneapolis (Chuck), Duluth (Starfire), Mall of America (Alexis/Girl Friday), Maplewood (Deborah Vajda and her Korean adopted son, Gus) and Cold Spring. See the combined story at : MN Stories...Why Do You Live Here?

ROCORI Weekly News 3.3.2006

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The news this week in the "Land Of ROCORI" centers around the community of Rockville.  In this story you'll take a tour inside both the new city hall and fire hall.

It appears that both buildings will be close to finished by April 1st.  When visiting with Rena Weber, City Administrator in Rockville, she was busy selecting furniture and other furnishings for the new City Hall.

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ROCORI Weekly News 02.24.2006

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This week in the news in the Land Of ROCORI includes TEA21 federal funding for the ROCORI Trail Project and a good response from the State Capital in regards to funding help on the Richmond Waste Treatment plant.

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ROCORI Weekly News 02.10.2006

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The Rockville City Planning Commission met this week and created a separate committee that will look into updating and revising the present city shoreline ordinances.  You'll recall last week the Rockville City Council approved a temporary moratorium on development along lake shorelines in the city.  This task force will report back to the Planning commission their findings and recommendations.

The Planning Commission continued its process in reviewing and updating a number of zoning issues that deal with building permits and site construction ordinances

In Cold Spring the new Lions Sign is up and running sharing information about upcoming events.  A big thank you needs to be extended to the Lions Club, the City of Cold Spring and the local businesses who contributed to the project.  This is certainly a valuable asset to our community.

On a topic that affects both Cold Spring, Richmond, and Wakefield township, a joint police hiring committee this week made final recommendations in the hiring of two new police officers.  Some 58 applicants were considered for the positions, a total of 8 individuals were interviewed and the final two individuals selected will be submitted to the City Council for approval at their next meeting. 

This hiring is being done as a part of the new police protection agreement between Cold Spring and Richmond and also to replace a Police Sergeant who recently resigned in Cold Spring.

This coming week City Administrator Dan Coughlin and former representative Doug Stand will be down at the state capital meeting with legislators in order to assist the efforts to secure outside funding for the new Richmond Treatment plant.

In other Richmond news, the annual city audit continues to go forward.  This year the entire process  is being done in a timely manner and is going far more smoothly than last year according to the auditor.

The Minnesota Fire & Building Code  was recently adopted by the City of Richmond.  The city now has full authority to untilize the code in terms of future building inspections.

And finally, hats off to the township leaders of Munson, Wakefield and the city of Richmond, who have created a Joint Planning Group that continues to meet monthly, working towards the development of a orderly annexation process.  Their goal is to create a jointly adopted land-use plan that will provide guidelines for future development across the three governing bodies.

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This story was sponsored by Stonecrafters located just west of the Suburban Health Club on highway 23 and county road 122 between Rockville and St. Cloud. Their new 22,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility became fully operational in the fall of 2002. It is one of the most modern plants in the upper Midwest. All of their machines are computerized with touch screen operations, assuring accurate and precise cutting and polishing.

Visit the Stonecrafters Website

Stonecrafters is also a proud supporter of Granite Country USA. StoneCrafters is located in a part of Central Minnesota known as "Granite Country USA". This geographical area is recognized worldwide, in the stone industry, for its granite fabrication and workmanship. Cold Spring Granite is in close proximity to their facility. They are one of the largest granite producers in the world. Cold Spring Granite, Stone Holding Company, and Midwest Granite and Marble are our major local suppliers.

 

ROCORI Weekly News 02.03.2006

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<<< Richmond Water Treatment Plant

This week in the land of rocori we'll begin in Rockville where the Trails Committee met to provide feedback and discussion about the first draft of the Master Plan for the 63 acre Eagles Park.

The consultant involved with writing the plan will now take the information and suggestions gathered at this weeks meeting and will incorporate them into the next draft of the plan.  A final version of the master plan will be developed sometime during the next few months.

The Rockville City Council voted to impose a temporary moratorium on development along lake shorelines in the City.  The 6 - zero vote will allow officials time to take a closer look at present shoreline ordinances.

The moratorium immediately impacts the proposed Grand Lake Meadows development that would build an additional 304 homes in the area.  As a result, The developer, Backes Companies Inc. of Brooklyn Center has for the time being, pulled their concept plan from further consideration by city officials.

The Grand Lake lake association recently submitted a petition to the council asking for the moratorium.  It is their intent to work with the Planning commission to consider new guidelines that will promote smaller lot sizes and preservation of half of the land for natural spaces.  The goal is to balance the establishment of further residential development  with ways of preserving water quality and the environment.

IN COLD SPRING this week, the new electronic sign was installed and can be seen by all who drive buy.  The sign electronics will be connected sometime during the next week.

As the result of a vote taken this past week by the City Council, the city is now taking applications for a second off-Sale liquor license and store.  Applications will be accepted any time between now and Feb 20th.

The mild weather has been helpful to Gluek Brewery who is in the middle of constructing their second warehouse facility in the new Cold spring industrial park.  Gluek is anticipating the need for even more space which prompted the scheduling of a public hearing on the topic this February 13th at City Hall in Cold Spring.

The Cold Spring Economic Authority issued its very first loan this past month as a part of its revolving loan program.  River Power and Equipment was awarded a $25,000 loan as a part of their new building project going on just across the road from their present location. River Power and Equipment is located on the east side of Cold Spring near the water treatment plant.
Later this week, we'll feature special coverage of this project as one of the daily Digelog Rocori stories.  Here's just a sampling of what that story will include.

Finally, in Richmond this week construction continues on the new 8 Million dollar waste water treatment plant.  The current plant is already over 20 years beyond its designed life-span.  The Average daily flow into the plant is either at or above its permitted capacity.  The City of Richmond continues to actively solicit county, state and federal funds to help offset the financial burden of the new plant to the community.  A 4 million dollar bonding request to help with this project will be considered the 2006 state legislature.

The Richmond Fire Department is in the process of acquiring land on the 700 block of main street with the intent that a new Fire Hall will be constructed there sometime over the next 3 to 7 years.  The property will be purchased using donated funds. This new location will become more central to the entire community as the community looks to future residential and commercial development is patterns.

And word is out... there's a big thumbs up on the new stoplights constructed this past summer on highway 23 on the eastern edge of Richmond.  A place where some 30 serious accidents occurred over a two year period has now become the location of choice for people throughout the community to safely enter onto highway 23, This is especially true during the time of morning rush hour.  The stoplight is truly making a difference and is saving peoples lives.

ROCORI Weekly News 01.27.2006

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The "Land Of ROCORI" In The News this week includes:

Small legislative delegation visits Richmond to visit waste treatment plant and to hear presentation from "ROCORI TRAIL" committee.

Electricity was been run to the new Lions Electronic Community Calendar in the City Hall parking lot.  The sign should be totally installed sometime over the next two weeks.

Cold Spring Park Board considers moving the Skate board park presently located at 7th Ave and 2nd St. South.

Rockville building projects for both the new fire hall and city hall are now in full swing. 

The Rockville Trails committee will review the Master Plan for the expansion of Eagle Park, a 63 acre tract along the Sauk River.