Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – FEBRUARY 21, 2017 2 <br /> <br />Mayor Grant wondered if they would be reducing bus service to make up for the budget <br />shortfall. Senior Manager Carlson responded that there is the potential for significant reduction <br />in service. The budget is based on the forecast of motor vehicle sales and the sales tax they <br />receive. Metro-mobility service is also required and very expensive. A fare increase may be <br />contemplated. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked if when looking at ridership is it based just on number of <br />employees at large corporations or do they look at younger people that are more willing to take the <br />bus? Senior Manager Carlson said they are looking at how they connect employees here into <br />the region. Part of that would be to avoid the transfer connection at Rosedale, increasing the level <br />of service and matching it to where people are actually coming from. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott remarked that he feels the community here will be receptive to more <br />transit service. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked if they have had similar discussions with Ramsey County in regards to <br />getting bus service the to TCAAP area. Senior Manager Carlson replied that the county is a <br />significant transit funder, although they haven’t had a discussion specifically toward the A-line <br />extension. <br /> <br />Metropolitan Council Member McCarthy asked if we were to extend the route, what would the <br />rough estimate be for operating costs. Senior Manager Carlson stated that the rule of thumb is <br />one half million dollars per bus per year. Extending Route 84 to Arden Hills by one bus would get <br />to the County Road F area. Two buses would get to the TCAAP site on a half hour basis. <br /> <br />Metropolitan Council Member McCarthy mentioned a handout that was passed around <br />answering other questions the Council had asked at the last meeting she attended. <br /> <br />Metropolitan Council Senior Planner Eric Wojchik gave a brief overview of I&I (inflow and <br />infiltration) in the region. Arden Hills has experienced a decline in overall flows in recent years. <br />Arden Hills exceeded the maximum allowable flow rate in 2012, 2014 and 2016 during rainfall <br />events, and successfully completed the requirements for each exceedance. <br /> <br />Metropolitan Council Senior Planner Wojchik then addressed the availability of I&I grants, <br />Livable Communities Act grants, storm water grants, and approximate timelines for grant <br />applications. Arden Hills was reimbursed $60,000 through grants last year. The governor has <br />allocated $5 million in his proposed budget for 2017 for I&I mitigation grants. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden expressed concern that more grant money would be given to <br />communities that were behind on I&I than those communities that are working on the issue. <br /> <br />Metropolitan Council Member McCarthy stated there is a task force looking into it now and <br />money will be allocated according to what the legislature directs them to do. <br /> <br />Metropolitan Council Senior Planner Wojchik noted that Arden Hills is in the Livable <br />Communities Act program. Communities must adopt goals for life cycle housing to be involved. <br />Arden Hills has negotiated for the current cycle. The Innovative Storm Water grant was launched <br />last year. The City would need to partner with the Rice Creek Watershed District for that grant.