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<br />Benchmarks-- a review of City Council Action
<br />October 23, 2017
<br />Absent: Holmes (excused)
<br />Consent Items Approved (all by 4-0 vote):
<br />• Approval awarding a Utility Rate
<br />Study to Ehlers, Inc. for not-to-exceed
<br />$40,000
<br />• Approved 3rd Quarter City Budget
<br />Actuals report.
<br />• Designated City polling locations for
<br />the 2017 election. No changes from
<br />previous locations.
<br />• Approved Resolution 2017-041
<br />authorizing an application to receive
<br />Recycling Grant funds of ~$24,000
<br />from Ramsey County.
<br />• Approved Planning Case #17-023 for
<br />Master and Final PUD with Caliber
<br />Lodging to construct a 137 unit
<br />Marriott Springhill Suites hotel on
<br />Northwoods Dr.
<br />• Approved purchase of a skid steer
<br />trailer for Public Works for $8,124
<br />• Approved purchase of replacement
<br />tires for Public Works’ Case Loader
<br />for $9,152.
<br />Winter activities for kids
<br />from Parks and Recreation
<br /> Saturday, December 16
<br />Breakfast With Santa
<br />10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
<br />Arden Hills City
<br />Hall
<br />Cost: $10 Per
<br />Person (Child or
<br />Adult)
<br />
<br />Enjoy breakfast,
<br />games, and
<br />picture-taking with Santa! For children
<br />ages 2-10 with adult chaperones.
<br />Registration deadline: Wednesday,
<br />December 13.
<br />
<br />Check out the new Winter 2017-2018
<br />Parks & Recreation Guide for more
<br />information about:
<br />• Skating, hockey, and ice rink loca-
<br />tions, hours, and lessons
<br />• Before- and after-school programs
<br />• Dance and music lessons
<br />• Adult activities
<br />
<br />The Winter Parks & Recreation Guide is
<br />mailed to Arden Hills residents,
<br />posted on the City website at
<br />www.ardenhills.org, or available for pick-
<br />up at City Hall.
<br />The Arden Hills Foundation is celebrat-
<br />ing its five-year anniversary since its
<br />October inception in 2012. Nearly $60,000
<br />has been donated by individuals, busi-
<br />nesses, and other community foundations
<br />to fund multiple projects that impact the
<br />quality of life of Arden Hills’ residents.
<br />“For years, City leaders talked about
<br />raising money for projects,” said Arlene
<br />Mitchell, one of the Foundation’s found-
<br />ers and currently treasurer. “There was
<br />considerable support from current and past
<br />local leadership, including Representative
<br />Betty McCollum’s office, who helped get
<br />our application for non-profit, 501 (C) 3
<br />status approved by the IRS.”
<br />The Foundation is separate from the City
<br />and accepts tax-deductible donations for
<br />projects that help the community and its
<br />residents. “The Foundation exists to con-
<br />nect people with the evolving needs of the
<br />community,” said Mitchell.
<br />Donors have been very generous. To date,
<br />the Foundation has received 143 donations
<br />totaling $59,000 and has awarded $17,000
<br />to benefit parks and trails and the City’s
<br />Parks and Recreation program; $11,000 to
<br />improve the water quality of Karth Lake;
<br />and $1,300 to support health and learning
<br />programs for children.
<br />“We are always looking for ideas about
<br />ways we can fill the gaps and help the
<br />community,” Mitchell said. In addition to
<br />Mitchell, the Arden Hills Foundation is led
<br />by community volunteers Kim Tamble,
<br />Nick Roberts, and Mayor David Grant.
<br />While over 90 percent of donations come
<br />from individuals, local businesses also
<br />donate generously. These have included
<br />Presbyterian Homes, Land
<br />O’Lakes, Boston Scientific,
<br />Catholic United Financial,
<br />St. Katherine Ukrainian
<br />Church, University of North-
<br />western, Roberts Manage-
<br />ment Group, Kim’s Tailors,
<br />Morgan Stanley, and Potbelly Sandwich
<br />Works.
<br />The Foundation also relies on volunteers
<br />like Gary Gerding to help raise donations.
<br />“Gary lives on Karth Lake and has taken
<br />the lead on gathering donations for six dif-
<br />ferent projects to improve the Lake’s water
<br />quality, including stocking it with algae-
<br />eating fish,” said Mitchell.
<br />Residents may be familiar with the Park
<br />Bench Program, which is designed to
<br />increase enjoyment of the City’s parks. In-
<br />dividuals can donate $650 for a bench and
<br />name the bench in honor of someone. The
<br />City will purchase, install, and place the
<br />bench. Parks and Recreation class scholar-
<br />ships also are available for people through
<br />Foundation scholarships, said Mitchell.
<br />The Foundation is able to accept general
<br />donations, as well as designated donations
<br />for specific projects. Contribution sources
<br />can include wills, trusts, life insurance poli-
<br />cies, securities, property, and grants.
<br />Contact the Foundation at 651-792-7800 or
<br />visit the Arden Hills Foundation on Face-
<br />book. Donations can be sent to City Hall,
<br />where the Foundation has a mailbox, or to
<br />3673 Lexington Ave. N., H-2, #315, Arden
<br />Hills, MN 55126, a new mailbox for the
<br />Foundation. A Foundation website is under
<br />construction.
<br />Building a strong Foundation
<br />Arden Hills
<br />FOUNDATION
<br />• Approved final payment of $39,462
<br />for Lift Station #11 rehabilitation.
<br />• Approved $15,782 for final design
<br />services for County Road F watermain
<br />project.
<br />• Approved $22,790 to Dukes Root
<br />Control to clean out tree roots from
<br />City sewer lines.
<br />New Business Items:
<br />• Approved acceptance of a grant and
<br />purchase of Johanna Marsh play-
<br />ground equipment for $112,000. (4-0)
<br />Holiday Hours
<br />City Hall will be closed on Monday,
<br />December 25, 2017, and Monday,
<br />January 1, 2018.
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