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3 Watch for “No Parking” zones around State Fair Park and Ride sites this summer This summer, the City has plans to install temporary ‘No Parking’ signs on streets affected by the annual influx of parked cars near Minnesota State Fair Park and Ride lots. There are four Park and Ride locations in Arden Hills: •Bethel University Anderson Center (for- merly Country Financial), one block south of County Road E on Pine Tree Drive; •Catholic United Financial on Lexington Avenue, two blocks south of County Road E; •Presbyterian Church of the Way on Lexington Avenue, three blocks south of County Road E; •Trinity Lutheran of Lake Johanna lot on New Brighton Road, north of County Road D. On many days during the run of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, these locations are well-utilized and the lots fill quickly, often resulting in increased parking on surrounding streets. Issues, ranging from excessive littering, to lawn and property damage, to US Mail and deliveries not being received because mailboxes are blocked by parked cars, are often reported by residents in these areas. More importantly, these parking problems present a significant public safety issue. Impacted residents have reported that driveways are often blocked by cars so that they cannot safely use them. Not only does this increase the likelihood of property damage to cars, but it puts resident safety at risk, as well as that of Park and Ride us- ers as they circle blocks to find parking and walk to and from their parked cars. In addition, the Park and Ride buses struggle to pass through the cramped streets in order to drop off and pick up riders. The Lake Johanna Fire Department has also expressed concern as to whether their emergency vehicles would be able to access a home in these areas if their as- sistance was needed. In years past, the City has installed tem- porary signage, only to have the parking problems migrate to other streets. Some residents have even resorted to posting their own signs on their property and using barricades such as sawhorses to reserve adequate space for safe usage of their driveways and ensure mail delivery. Many times, unfortunately, these measures have been ignored and even physically removed by fairgoers. Mayor David Grant and Councilmember Brenda Holden plan to canvass affected neighborhoods prior to the start of the State Fair to determine which streets are most affected and require signage to ensure public safety during this time of year. The proposed signage will indicate that viola- tors are subject to towing. In the weeks since Mark Moser joined the Public Works team in early May, he has been busy pitching in on projects involving all departments: parks, sewer, streets, surface water, and water. Some tasks that have presented themselves – such as a water main issue at Perry Park, blacktopping the parking lot at Ingerson Park, and maintenance of the lift stations – have required some on-the-job learning. Other general maintenance and landscap- ing projects cover familiar territory. It is this variety of job responsibilities, the opportunity to apply his past work experience, and the chance to gain new job skills that appealed to Moser when he applied for this position with the City. He has approximately 14 years of experience in the construction industry and enjoys working outside and using his hands to build and repair. His most recent work ex- perience was an approximately three-year stint in facilities maintenance and supervision at a college campus in North Dakota. Born and raised in western Wisconsin, Moser is happy to be back in the Twin Cities with a job that presents potential for growth and relative job security. “I am looking forward to being part of the growth in Arden Hills and keeping the community happy,” he said. “Having a job that serves the public and keeps them safe is very gratifying for me.” Moser will be spending the summer work- ing, house hunting in the Ham Lake area with his wife, and hopefully finding time to do a little hunting or fishing. • Authorized City staff to coordinate repairs on the Arden View Court storm sewer (5-0). • Approved the Cooperative Agree- ment PUBW2016-13(R) with Ramsey County for the reconstruction of the County Road H/35W Interchange between Old Hwy 8 and the easterly 35W Ramp Terminal (5-0). • Accepted a proposal to complete 1½ inch mill and overlay on Sandeen Road (5-0). • Approved resolution 2016-017 relat- ing to commission and committee appointments. Terrance Finlay is now part of the Parks, Trails, and Recre- ation Committee (PTRC) (5-0). • Approved a motion to enter into a contract with William S. Joynes to conduct the recruitment, screening, and selection of the Administrator Candidates for the City of Arden Hills (5-0). Note: other minor items were approved. Review online minutes from meetings for details. Mark Moser joins Public Works team Benchmarks— A look at City Council actions by Tina Kulzer by Tina Kulzer