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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 2012Stadium proposal still uncertain by Kristine Goodrich A fter two public hearings earlier this Editors Note: winter, there was little action at the from the Vikings and the City of Minne - This story was written in mid-January. Capitol regarding a new Vikings stadium. apolis to meet and narrow the list of three With the Minnesota Legislature now in There were, however, a few developments potential Minneapolis stadium sites to a session, it is very likely that there will be at the County level in December and early - a series of changes in the stadium picture. January, including a proposal for a county back announced his preference to rebuild For current information about legislative food and beverage tax. on the current Metrodome site. Vikings action on this and other issues, visit www.leg.state.mn.us. their top choice. Commissioners Tony Bennett Center to support a new Ortega are stadium in Minneapolis. proposing to The Mayors proposal, build a public however, would require stadium, used the City to bypass a primarily by required voter referendum the Vikings, on and most Minneapolis part of the 430 City Council members do acre tract on the not support it. western edge of the former Twin County proposes new Cities Army food and beverage tax Ammunition Commissioners Bennett Plant (TCAAP). and Ortega proposed The stadium December 15 to enact a 3 and surrounding percent food and beverage infrastructure tax to help fund the sta - is estimated to dium. The countywide tax Illustration courtesy of Minnesota Vikings cost $1.1 billion, which is proposed to be would apply only to food paid for by the Vikings, State, and County. The second Capitol hearing focused on and drinks sold in restaurants, bars, and Those three stakeholders would have to potential funding sources. The Viking orga - public places, not at retail stores. The new nization has pledged $425 million toward come to an agreement before a stadium tax would raise approximately $24 million could move forward. The Arden Hills City a year toward the Countys proposed $350 Council passed a resolution in Novem - million contribution. This is the only ber conditionally supporting a stadium lodging taxes could be used. A representa - development (see the December newsletter - only plan that would make the local share vation proposed building a casino on the available immediately, the commissioners meanwhile, want to keep the stadium in Arden Hills site and contributing a portion wrote in a letter to State leaders. their city.of gaming revenues. The commissioners pitched the special tax Senate holds hearings - after their earlier plan to increase the trodome site would cost $215 million less than building new in Arden Hills, and he - ings held by State Senate committees on proposed redirecting City taxes currently used for the Minneapolis Convention Continued on page 4 Arden Hills Service Directory by Arlene Mitchell 1245 West Highway 96 Walgreens is coming Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 The pod buildings at Arden Plaza have been demolished to make ro - greens store later this year. (Yes, we mean Walgreens. CVS and W 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. vying for the space. In the end, Walgreens committed to the 651-792-7800 cityhall@ci.arden-hills.mn.us Triangle site is cleared The building on the triangular Sheriff and Fire Emergency lot at the intersection of County 911 - Sheriff (non-emergency) 651-484-3366 and Fairview Avenue has been Fire (non-emergency) demolished. Presbyterian homes 651-633-2404 is deeding the property to the Water and Sewer Problems City. The City will landscape the (During non-business hours) space. 651-484-3366 Fox Ridge construction underway David Grant 651-538-0747 Mayor: - Councilmembers: ect have been sold. Building permits are being pulled and constr Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 rden Village does not receive Minnesota HFA tax credit A Nick Tamble 612-819-7995 Sand Companies did not receive Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Ed Werner 651-636-2547 See City website for e-mail addresses. - the developer on next steps. City Administrator: Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810 Proposal for senior housing on County Road E is withdrawn Communications Committee : Companies, owner of the property, is seeking other development o Arlene Mitchell, editor; Susan Cathey; Kristine Goodrich; Brenda Holden; Crepeau Preserve footbridge repaired Lois Rem Council Liaison: Nick Tamble Staff Liaison: Becky Brazys Nature Preserve. Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek Council meetings are held at City Hall on the second and last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of the Planning Commission are televised Boy Scouts visit City Council meeting Boy Scouts of Troop 9419 attended the November 28 City Council meeting Playbacks of City meetings begin the to help complete the requirements for morning after the meeting and continue their Citizenship in the Community every day until the next City meeting. merit badges, as they work toward Playbacks are at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and their Eagle Scout Award. Scott Smith 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 and Adam Godbout lead this group of a.m., 2 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Saturday Scouts, but it was the boys who are and Sunday. For web casts, visit www.ctv15.org. who selected this opportunity, and the troop reported being pleasantly sur Arden Hills Notes - - prised at the cordial tone of the debate letter of the City of Arden Hills, an on City issues. equal-opportunity employer. 2 Benchmarks: November 28, 2011 accounts to be billed on calendar quarters the 2012 Budget (5-0) - rather than rolling billing quarters) (5-0) ment at 1976 Glen Paul Avenue for accu - mulation of refuse and debris (5-0) Approved Ordinance 2011-013 amending - chapter 15 of City the Erosion and Sedi December 12, 2011 - ment Control (5-0) - rial Trail payment no. 7 in the amount of December 19, 2011 Approved a contract with Kimley Horn $20,545 (5-0) Approved the Assistant City Engineer Inc., for Old Highway 10 bridge design at a position and authorized the advertisement cost not to exceed $69,000 (5-0) Approved Ordinance 2011-010 adopting ) the 2012 Fee Schedule for permits and penalties enforceable by the City (5-0) - $3,096,994 1.8 percent increase for 2012 Approved Ordinance 2011-015 regarding (4-1, Holmes) water, sewer, and surface water utilities (property owners designated the respon - Approved the 2012-2016 Capital Improve sible party; delinquent accounts certi - - ment Plan (5-0) Meagan Beekman and Pang Silseth are Employees of the Year by Lois Rem residents and local business owners with Specialist assisting callers and visitors at M utility billing questions; for her efforts to are Arden Hills Employees of the the City Hall front counter. In July 2007 streamline the time-consuming utility bill she was promoted to Accounting Clerk. In - ing tasks; and transitioning from the Citys Committee distributes nomination forms her current position, Pangs responsibilities old accounting system to the new program. to all City staff members. The completed include utility billing, cash receipting, and Pang is regarded as a great source of insti forms are reviewed by the Committee and accounts payable. She is being recognized - tutional knowledge with over seven years for her professionalism when assisting - of outstanding service. tee. Typically there is only one employee recognized, but this year the Committee Council grants consent for Highway 96/10 project decided that both Pang and Meagan were equally deserving of recognition. by Susan Cathey he City Council granted Municipal The County and Minnesota Department T Meagan Beekman, City Planner, began of Transportation re-evaluated 2008 - her career at the City of Arden Hills in ect to improve the intersection of Highway and 2009 noise analyses for the south - 2007. Meagan is being recognized for 96 and Highway 10 by a vote of 4-1 at west quadrant of the intersection to see the December 12 meeting. In September, if a different size wall would meet the involves working with commercial and Municipal Consent was denied pendtwo criteria for federal or State Trunk - ing resolution of four concerns, whose Highway funding. Although the reason - of which proceed to construction and some outcomes are: - which do not. In every case, she gives the fectiveness continues to fail, at all three wall heights analyzed, largely because her professional training and experience to for 2013, so it will occur after the wid - resolve problems as they arise. Meagan is the staff liaison to the Planning Commis - in 2012.The fact that the proposed wall does not sion and advises the Commission on all meet both criteria does not mean the City planning cases. She recently took respon - The height of the concrete barrier may not build it, only that a different sibility for successfully revising the Citys way of funding it needs to be used. right-of-way ordinance and is working inches, the maximum allowable. with other staff and citizens to improve the Since all four items were satisfactorily Citys website. Meagans positive attitude, addressed by the County, the Council - dedication, reliability, and professional ment of the noise wall on the north side knowledge make her a great asset to the of Highway 96 at I-35W to facilitate Municipal Consent and rescinding the City. future wall extension, stopping short of eminent domain. 3 Stadium, continued from page 1 County sales tax by 0.5 percent failed to Mack said the County asked companies and the status of the remaining 25 acres is interested in doing the cleanup work to - - - pose any County tax increase to support a 31. County staff were expected to recomto the - stadium. In early January, Governor Mark mend a contractor to the County Board in higher residential standards; the Vikings mid-January. If a stadium is approved, the would pay the additional cost. contractor would be required to have the deadline for the County and City to submit stadium site ready for construction within In a divided vote on December 20, the nine months and have the remainder of the - site ready within 30 months. tects interested in working on the stadium to submit their credentials. Supporters County requests cleanup and archi The sale arrangement called for 44 percent - tectural contractors of the site to be remediated to residential would expedite selection of an architect if At the December 12 Arden Hills City standard and 56 percent to be cleaned to a stadium plan is approved. The opponents said the County should wait until a stadium - ing to Mack, 400 acres currently meet the presented an update and answered ques - - tions regarding the plans to purchase and clean-up the proposed stadium site. Con - tingent on state funding, the County has an agreement to buy 430 acres of the TCAAP Administration. The sale price was set at $28.5 million. The Countys costs for building demolition and remediation of soil contamination will be subtracted, so the cost to the County is guaranteed at $28.5 - ridor and trail was not included in the deal. State releases I-694 construction schedule by Arlene Mitchell erry Maurer, Arden Hills Public T Works Director, attended a Minnesota northbound open for right turns at Close eastbound I-694 to Victoria Street for nine months beginning in September 2012 the following information was provided volumes become too great. Close westbound I-694 to westbound Highway 10 for one year beginning in November 2012 Close westbound I-694 ramp onto - Hamline Avenue permanently, begin I-694 for six months beginning in April - ning in May 2012 2013 html, for the latest information.Snelling Avenue for six months begin - ning in June 2012 planning an open house for the general S Close eastbound Highway 10 at County S S public in March, probably to be held at Close southbound Hamline Avenue the Arden Hills City Hall. Check the City June 2012 website for date and time. bridgeClose the intersection of Hamline and - ning in May 2012 Close northbound Highway 51 to Avenue for one month beginning in October 2012 seven months Close Victoria Street to westbound Close northbound Highway 51 to northbound Hamline Avenue, probably June 2012 4 until late 2013 Energy use safety ideas from Xcel Energy W State law requires a carbon monoxide using fuel-burning heaters in enclosed inter is well under way in the detector within ten feet of each bedroom. rooms to prevent carbon monoxide poi- Detectors identify traces of carbon monox-soning. weather can bring potential ide in the home and sound an alarm when safety hazards. Xcel Energy offers the fol- carbon monoxide is detected. The most Stay more than lowing advice to help you and your family effective detectors have a battery-backup ten feet away from power lines when stay safe and warm: system and include a memory function knocking snow off your roof or trees. that records and indicates the highest Accidental contact with power lines can If your home has an outside concentration levels detected. Install, test gas meter, check it routinely and gently and maintain the detector according to the clear away any buildup of ice or snow. A manufacturers recommendations. People who are frail, el- plugged regulator vent on the gas meter derly, or ill are most susceptible to cold and can lead to a dangerous buildup of natural hypothermiaa dangerous drop in body gas inside a building. homes supply of fresh air. Either use glass temperature. Keep warm by dressing in layers and using blankets. Maintain house- Xcel En- slightly to supplement the air supply to the hold temperature at a comfortable level. ergy strongly recommends annual inspec- tions of your natural gas appliances as the key defense against carbon monoxide Committee members needed : Make sure children and poisoning. Appliance inspections are vi- T pets cant touch or knock over a heater. To he City of Arden Hills is looking for tally important because they can determine avoid electric shock, dont use an electrical Arden Hills residents to represent the and correct the source of the problem if it heater near the shower or bathtub. Avoid City Council on two local organizations. exists. The committee descriptions and meet- ing schedules are listed below. Commit- Tips for reducing energy costs tee members will be expected to attend monthly meetings and provide the Council W with updates inter is here and with it heating bills. Xcel Energy has designe is a new and businesses save money year round. It encourages everyone to advantage of the full breadth of money-and-energy-saving program County which creates awareness and connects service members, veterans Select Save Money & Energy on its website, xcelenergy.com, for information on topics and their families with community such as support, training, services, and re- sources. Meetings are held the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. of these programs City Hall, 26660 Civic Center Drive, Cable Commission offers scholarships T Additional eligibility information and ap- he North Suburban Communica- plication forms are available at City Hall, and mental health agency that has been - with Comcast in accepting applications serving communities since 1976. Its for its annual scholarship awards. This mission is to prepare youth and fami- website www.CTVNorthSuburbs.org year at least $30,000 in scholarships will lies for healthy lives. Each year NYFS (select NSCC), and by calling NSCCs be awarded to residents from ten north touches the lives of more than 4,000 suburban cities, including Arden Hills. The youth, families, and adults. The meet- minimum award is $1,000. ings are held on the third Thursday of The application deadline is April 13, 2012, every month at 7 a.m. at the NYFS at 4 p.m. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college or vocational training Avenue North, Shoreview. The students selected for a scholarship from an accredited school, with a primary invited to receive their awards at the Com- Deputy Clerk, 651-792-7811 or munications Commissions June 7 meeting. engineering, or a similar course of study. becky.brazys@ci.arden-hills.mn.us 5 for details. Twin Cities, MN Permit #1962 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 . I n I-694 project schedule update Postal Customer s Highway 96/10 project gets Council OK i Beekman, Silseth Honored d e Notes from the City Council ast month I wrote about our snow What this means is that Arden Hills did about 4 percent in 2011, the average home plowing improvements. Who not fare well tax wise under the new value in Arden Hills was down 1 percent. would have thought that it would MVE program. The median home value While home values have dropped since the in Arden Hills is $278,000. The MVE be mid-to-end of January as I write this housing crisis, our homes have held their article and the trucks have plowed only value better than other cities. The down - to this years City property tax increase on side is with strong home values we end up snowfall. Our trucks have put down salt on a median home. For homes with values getting less Market Value Exclusion. Of several occasions, but that is about it.greater than the median, the increase was course, having stronger home values is bet - more, and for homes valued less than the ter of the two. I thought I would take this occasion to talk median the impact was less. Cities and about something that is going to happen, counties need to take this into considerIncluded in this edition of Arden Hills - namely property taxes. Two things are ation when setting their tax levies. is information regarding various Notes certain in this life, death and taxes. As you development efforts in the City. In this soft The City Council decided to lower the economy, it is a positive to see the develop know the State of Minnesota had a dif know the State of Minnesota had a difknow the State of Minnesota had a dif-- 2012 City levy increase to 1.8 percent. ment of homes and businesses being added including a State government shut down. and upgraded. The legislation that was enacted last year - will have an impact on cites and counties cial impact of the new MVE program on Sincerely, this year. homeowners. One of the changes was the elimination The good news is that while the average of the Market Value Homestead Credit David Grant, Mayor (MVHC) in favor of a new calculation called the Market Value Exclusion (MVE). Ramsey County is looking for election judges of a home is excluded from tax calcula - E tions. As home values rise the exclusion is general election on November 6. Since 2012 is a presidential el fully eliminated at about $415,000. - Naturally communities that have higher value homes end up getting less exclu - - sion and subsequently less credit to offset taxes. As it turns out, Arden Hills has the second highest average home value in has the highest.