07-13-2009-R - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL-July 13, 2009 6 Business/Industrial Sections o Increasing vacancies in Red/Grey Fox area o B2 Business District Master Plan o Traverse Business Property on Round Lake Road Park Improvements o Valentine Park with chronic flooding issues Housing o The City has no real options in Arden Hills beyond single family homes o Housing options are needed for entry level residents (such as apartments) and senior housing o People tend to buy homes in neighborhoods within which they rent. Mayor Harpstead stated this is a daunting list but indicated the Council also heard the good news about the City's finances. Currently the City of Arden Hills is sitting on about $6.7 million dollars in the Permanent Improvement Revolving Fund ($700 per person) for Capital Improvements. This isn't a "rainy day fund"; the City has those as well. This is the City's money to use for adding value to the City of Arden Hills. The City should either use this money on projects or return these accumulated funds. Furthermore, especially when interest rates are at historic lows, the City has the option to issue bonds to cover the City's share of any necessary construction. The City does not need to sit on a large Revolving Fund. Two weeks ago, the City Council voted to use 475 acres of the TCAAP land being sold by the Army as park and open space. This is not in the City's 1998 and 2008 Comprehensive Plans; it is not in the Metropolitan Council's Strategic Plan; and is not in the Ramsey County Park Plan. In short, without an outside champion - stepping forward, the cost of this action most likely would be carried by the City of Arden Hills. If the City is not able to take care of Parks and Trails plans that they currently have, how should the City expect to take care of 475 acres more? What the City needs is a balanced plan including open space, housing, job creating businesses and other elements that will make Arden Hills a great place to live, work, and play. On Wednesday of this week the Army and GSA representatives will come to Minneapolis to meet with the City Council and Staff. These individuals work for all the citizens of the USA with the mutual objectives of returning the land to the public in such a way that the people of the USA get a fair value for this public asset and that the people in Arden Hills and the region achieve their community vision and needs. The Army and GSA are on the same side of the table as Arden Hills. They will be here to explore our community's issues and concerns in an open and forthright manner. Mayor Harpstead indicated he hopes that many of the residents can join the meeting to hear the discussions. After several decades, it is time that the Army and the City reach a common ground and begin the productive process to cure the blight that has accumulated over the past