Laserfiche WebLink
Page 3 of 7 <br /> <br />• The Council and City Staff are working through the annual budgeting process for 2024, and <br />the current increase is at 16.33%, which is still in flux but is the highest end of the scale. For <br />example, a house valued at $450,000 in 2023 would have paid $1050 in City taxes, and for <br />2024 the takes would be $1190, approximately $12 per month. Today we found out that <br />Lake Johanna Fire Department received a 3 year federal SAFER grant. The addition of this <br />grant will lower the contract amount for the LJFD, so the percentage will go down. The levy <br />will be decided on December 11th and updates will provided at that time. <br />Committee Member Dietz asked about the levy increase range across the tiers of home <br />values. Council Member Rousseau stated that the details were presented at the September <br />11th Council meeting and can be found under Item 11B. <br /> <br /> <br />4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS <br />A. PTRC Member Updates <br />Chair Hinton indicated that because Committee Member Loosbrock is absent a Volunteer Update will <br />not be provided. <br /> <br />Committee Member Poelzer discussed the Twins grant for ball fields. Asked to include this discussion <br />in future planning. <br /> <br />Committee Member Kelliher asked about potential a new program for volunteer staffing. Recreation <br />Supervisor Johnson reported that another module would need to be purchased annually, it would be <br />used for all Rec programs (course management and registration), not just volunteering. The cost is <br />such that it would not need Council approval, but would be ongoing. Investigating with Staff on logistics <br />and continue to work toward making this change. <br /> <br />Committee Member Seemann provided document with an update on the restoration project. 217 <br />volunteer hours spent so far, 50 on planning, 37 on watering. Removal of invasive species. Half of <br />Creeping Charlie is removed. Garlic Mustard was discovered, and will take a few years to fully remove. <br />26% non-native, goal is to get below 5%. The Committee thanked and recognized all of this hard work. <br /> <br />Chair Hinton discussed the need at next meetings to determine 2024 goals, asked the group to bring <br />ideas and needs for discussion as well as a plan for how to move these through the approval process <br />to implementation. Another item to discuss is adding a Vice-Chair to the list of Committee positions. <br /> <br />Chair Hinton provided information that Council Member Holden relayed that within Arden Hills the <br />Audubon Society has an Important Bird Area in Minnesota - Rice Creek North at the Army Training <br />Site. There is a Facebook group for the Twin Cities Urban Birding Festival. This would be a potential <br />goal or potential use of Twin Cities Gateway funds to bring people to Arden Hills. Previous festival was <br />May 20-21, 2023. <br /> <br /> <br />B. Trail and Parks Projects Update <br />Recreation Supervisor Johnson introduced Memo items for discussion. <br /> <br />Committee Member Olson if we have a grand re-opening for parks with updates, is that the prevue of <br />the PTRC? It was agreed, that yes, it is the PTRC that would take the lead on any event and is <br />something that could be added as a goal for 2024. <br /> <br />Council Member Rousseau shared that there may be a special work session with Council, regarding <br />the Lake Johanna Blvd. Trail on November 20th. Details to follow.