03-14-11-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—March 14, 2011 2 2.A. Arden Hills Army Training Site— Update (continued) - AHATS to be opened to programs for the community, especially the young people in the community. They are currently talking with Homeland Security about moving their facilities to the Arden Hills location. He stated the Army is also working with the County in regards to the land they will be using as part of their trails. He clarified there is no live ammunition fired at the site. There are occasional blanks fired at the site but this would be announced to the community prior to the training operation. Mayor Grant stated he would like to see this presentation become an annual occurrence. He stated the boy scouts would like to be able to camp on the AHATS property but they are currently not able to due to the environmental status. Colonel Scott St. Sauver stated the property is currently cleaned up to industrial standards but he would like to have the property cleaned up to a higher level because the Army does not want to take any risks. He clarified he does not have a time line for the cleanup at this time. The EPA is currently reviewing their Land Use Controls Remediation Design (LUCRD) document. He stated they want to see what the EPA says about this before a time line can be established. Mayor Grant asked the Army to provide clear signage so that members of the community begin to make the distinction between the AHATS property and the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant(TCAAP)property. Colonel Scott St. Sauver stated they would look at signage and also the possibility of doing some marketing to make the public more aware. He will also look into possibly hosting an open house and involving the media along with additional community education. Councilmember Holden asked if the charette that will be taking place in March is for the building being planned or if it was for the building currently under construction. Colonel Scott St. Sauver stated the charette is for the building being planned at this time. They are not executing anything at this time but rather they are still in the design stages. There will be several charettes before the project planning is complete. Councilmember Holden asked for clarification regarding the amount of aviation at this location. Colonel Scott St. Sauver stated there is no proposed change in the aviation at this time. There will still be limited landings and other movements. They will be building an aviation support area in the future but this is not for increased aviation traffic. Councilmember Holden requested the buckthorn on the property be cleaned up. Councilmember Holmes stated residents are interested in ski trails and the ski clubs and ski teams would like to have access to the property. Colonel Scott St. Sauver stated ski trails are something that will be looked at in the future. At this time, there are no areas that are cleaned up enough for this type of public access.