HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2012Minnesota National Guard moving into new AHATS center
by Kristine Goodrich
Most of the unit presently is serving
T
he Minnesota National Guard
in Kuwait and will return home this
is moving into its new
th
million to build; it was funded by the U.S.
Human Resources
Readiness Center on the Arden
Government as part of the Grow the Army Company, which provides personnel and
Hills Army Training Site (AHATS).
initiative. It is located north of the joint
Meanwhile, construction is underway on
County, City, and School District facility
a new maintenance shop and construction
north of Highway 96 on Hamline Avenue.number of soldiers serving in Kuwait and
of a second Readiness Center is expected
Afghanistan; they are expected to return
to begin next winter.
includes an assembly hall/cafeteria,
AHATS is owned by the Army National
kitchen, workout room, locker rooms,
Guard and encompasses 1,560 acres of
a teleconference room, simulation basement of Arden Hills City Hall.
the 2,370-acre former Twin Cities Army
training center, and several classrooms,
Field Maintenance Shop
future buildings are concentrated on
22,000-square feet of vehicle storage Next to the new Readiness Center,
the southern 300 acres of AHATS; the
adjoins the center. Our goal here is to construction has begun on a new Field
remainder is open space used for training
maneuvers. AHATS is used by National
fully ready to serve, said Mary Lee, an facility will be the largest of its kind in the
Guard Units throughout the metro area,
AHATS representative.
primarily on weekends.
early 2013 and will cost approximately $29
th
Also sometimes referred to as an armory, million. Soldiers from the 834
Support
Readiness Center
the center is the new home base for more Battalion will use the facility for training
th
than 200 soldiers in two National Guard and maintenance of equipment for the 34
Red Bull Infantry Division.
in nearly 60 years. Construction began
Company, which was formerly based in
in spring 2010 and was substantially
Austin, serves as the supply unit for the
nd
Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment.
plans to hold a grand opening celebration 2
Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) Silver standards; the
are designed, built and operated to meet
environmental and health objectives, such
quality, and carbon dioxide emissions.
Lee said the Armys commitment to
protecting the environment also extends
to the undeveloped portion of AHATS,
where projects have included native prairie
restoration. Were very conscientious
about taking care of our resources, she
said.
Continued on page 5
Public works creates new electronic inventory system
City Service Directory
T
he computer-savvy
by Susan Cathey
1245 West Highway 96
young men of the
Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734
Arden Hills Public Works
Department have come up with a
great system to catalog and track some
is in the process of creating an electronic
inventory of signs, trees, and benches,
which will help with the work of
preservation and maintenance.
cityhall@co.arden-hills.mn.us
Sheriff and Fire Emergency
Simple Signs, purchased to help the City
meet coming Federal mandates regarding
Sheriff (non-emergency)
Fire (non-emergency)
some adaptations, the program could be
location of a sign may be pertinent to
used to track a variety of things, not just
accident prevention or investigation. A
signs. Using a GPS, as well as adjacent
tree damaged by lightning could be quickly
Water and Sewer Problems
landmarks, the location of individual trees,
found. Maps showing the location of all
(During non-business hours)
including donor trees, can be catalogued.
trees of a certain type can show patterns
Additional information, such as disease
to help deal with disease. A concern about
Mayor:
lack of benches in a walking area can be
David Grant 651-538-0747
immediately checked on and addressed. At
Councilmembers:
Workers have begun to catalog the location
Workers have begun to catalog the location
some point, this information can go into
Brenda Holden 651-636-2987
Fran Holmes 651-631-1866
focusing at this time on right-of-way areas
Nick Tamble 612-819-7995
Ed Werner 651-636-2547
It was clear that Mauer is proud of the
See City website for email addresses
member of the department, has taken the
job being done by the members of his
lead in training other members in the use
department and their initiative in adapting
City Administrator:
of this program, which he says is fairly
this program to the needs of the City.
Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810
simple.
Communications Committee
available technology to be ready for it.
Public Works Director Terry Maurer calls
Arlene Mitchell, editor; Susan Cathey;
Kristine Goodrich;Brenda Holden; Lois
Rem
this point going forward, and says it will
Council Liaison: Nick Tamble
Staff Liaison: Becky Brazys
He explains that, instead of having to
Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek
Photographer: Erika Batiz
for information, workers will have data
Council meetings are held at City Hall on
the second and last Monday of the month
about signs, trees, benches, and more at
at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised live on
Cable Channel 16. Meetings of the Planning
Commission are televised live at 7 p.m. on
Foreclosure prevention assistance available
of City meetings begin the morning after
the meeting and continue every day until the
re you or anyone you know about to lose their home to foreclosur
A
next City meeting. Playbacks are 3 a.m., 11
a.m., and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and
7 a.m., 2 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Saturday and
addressing deferred maintenance issues.
Sunday. For web casts, visit www.ctv15.org.
Arden Hills Notes
For more information and to make an appointment at Shoreview Cit
the City of Arden Hills, an equal-opportunity
22 or April 12, call 651-221-9884.
employer.
2
Benchmarks
AReview of Recent City Council Action
Minger Construction in the amount of City pertaining to Planning Case 11-016
January 9, 2012
$194,250 (5-0)and the construction of Walgreens at the
Adopted Resolution 2012-003 accepting
corner of County Road E and Lexington
the liability coverage limits from the
Adopted Resolution 2012-001 relating Avenue (5-0)
League of Minnesota Cities Insurance
to the organization of the City of Arden
Trust for 2012 (5-0)
Hills, appointing Mayor Pro-Tem,
designating council liaison appointments and 8 in an amount not to exceed $243,500
to committees and commissions as well as (5-0)
January 30, 2012
local organizations (5-0)
Adopted Resolution 2012-005 accepting
Approved Resolution 2012-006 in support
Authorized the purchase of a 2012 of the City of Arden Hills becoming a
payment of $71,970 for the 2011 sanitary
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Community
sewer lining project (5-0)
$37,554 to replace a 2002 F-250 truck (5-0)(5-0)
Adopted Resolution 2012-004 awarding
Approved a development agreement
between NLD Arden Hills, LLC and the
Valentine Park: measure twice; cut once
By Nick Tamble
W
ith another spring ahead,
Valentine Park improvements have study looked at park elevation in
relation to Lake Valentine. Careful
noted a timeline for park improvements, planning is needed to protect the
stating a proposed completion date new investment of playground
sometime in the spring of 2012. Since equipment by designing in a way
April, much has transpired about the fate
and drainage away from such
seems to be missing for improvements to areas.
begin is the start date. Whats the hold-up?
At the September 19 work session,
the City Council agreed to proceed
a sustainable parks system. Items still
had a total of $310,000 for improvements
under discussion include furnishings and
an accurate cost estimate of individual
landscaping, which could be added later to
planning sessions dating back to 2008. components being considered for park
help reduce costs on the initial project.
With more recent examination and improvements.
research of park improvements, estimates
during a September 19, 2011, work session
Public input opportunities to date
were more than twice that amount at Watershed District personnel to discuss
the wetland areas, stormwater retention,
A public open house was held on
early proposal and more current estimates and available grant monies for this project.
April 7, 2011, at City Hall. A total of
has caused the City Council to review Applications for grant money for this
233 residents were mailed invitations,
priorities to help reduce overall costs while annual cycle are being accepted during the
and it was posted on the City website.
achieving sustainable improvements to the month of March.
An online survey was available for all
park.
residents to give input on potential
During the June 13, 2011, City Council park took place this year during a joint
completed the survey either online or
meeting, Council members voted to enter
at the open house. Twenty-eight people
the design phase of the project, starting
signed in at the open house.
with a drainage design. Stormwater Council helped pare down the items to
those that are most important to area
at the Park, leaving it underwater and residents and that most contribute to
3
Arden Hills stadium proposal shows some new life
by Kristine Goodrich
A
sources would generate $16.3 million
proposal to replace the
in 2016 and grow to $25.5 million in
Governor said a third site on Linden
Metrodome dominated
discussion at the State Capital
30 years would equal a $300 million
especially its proximity to the Target
in January and early February. But a
contribution toward the $1.1 billion
Center, Target Field, many restaurants,
pitch to build a new stadium in Arden
and hotels.
Hills regained vitality in mid-February
Countys earlier tax proposal would
when Ramsey County Commissioners
have equaled $350 to $375 million.
Just days later, Dayton ruled out the
accepted a contractors bid to clean up
Linden Avenue site, due largely to
the potential stadium site and proposed
Legislative leaders didnt immediately
concerns from leaders at the nearby
new methods for funding its share of
rule the County proposal in or out.
Basilica of St. Mary over parking,
the stadium costs.
noise, and possible damage to the
historic building. Dayton concluded
Potential site is one of several
to keep the parking revenues for
the Metrodome rebuild was the only
A portion of the former Twin Cities
themselves.
remaining viable option.
Army Ammunition Plant is one
of several potential sites for a new
stadium. Its the preferred site of
A new Metrodome site proposal was
Vikings ownership. Some Ramsey
introduced late in February. Visit
extending taxes currently used for the
www.leg.state.mn.us for details about
Convention Center to help pay for
county-wide taxes
legislation.
a new stadium and to renovate the
tax increase and later a two percent
food and beverage tax to support a
requires a referendum before the City
$1.1 billion stadium and infrastructure
County contribution
can spend more than $10 million on
sources summarized
Vikings and the State also would help
would override that charter provision.
fund the stadium. Vikings ownership
At a January 26 meeting, several
would develop 170 acres of land
stadium proposal would come
members of the Minneapolis City
adjoining the 260-acre stadium site.
from:
Council expressed concerns over the
funding plan.
Governor weighs in
1. A $25 parking fee for Vikings
On January 18, Governor Mark Dayton
games and $10 fee for other
On February 7, a divided Ramsey
announced he didnt believe a stadium
stadium events, generating $5.4
County Board accepted a bid for
million in 2016
$20.6 million from St. Paul company
He said the County submitted an
2. Parking lot naming rights,
Carl Bolander and Sons to complete
excellent proposal, but legislative
generating $2 million in 2016
building demolition, soil remediation,
leaders had it made clear they wouldnt
3. Food, beverage, sales, and
and other work to prepare the TCAAP
support any new County taxes without
lodging taxes at the stadium and
site for development. Additional work
a referendum. He also chided Vikings
the surrounding development,
such as remediating to residential
owners for not identifying how they
generating $2 million in 2016
instead of commercial/industrial
planned to develop the surrounding
4. A three-percent fee on stadium
acres.
ticket sales, generating $1.6
that could add a few million dollars to
million in 2016
the cost.
5. New state sales taxes generated
rebuilding the Metrodome, estimated
by the stadium and the state
Days later, Ramsey County
to cost $918 million, wasnt his top
business property taxes
Commissioners Rafael Ortega and Tony
choice. He cited two primary reasons: it
generated by the surrounding
Bennett proposed a new plan for a
lacks the potential to spur economic
development would be used
County contribution toward a stadium.
development in the surrounding area
to fund area transportation
and the Vikings would have to play at
the stadium and the County would help
the University of Minnesota during
taxes would generate $3.3
construction. Dayton dismissed
million in 2016.
summary of plan at right.)
a proposal to build a stadium in
6. Ramsey County pays the cost
Shakopee funded partially by user fees
to purchase and remediate the
With a projected annual growth of two
and expanded gambling because he said
430-acre site, $2 million annually
he doubted the gambling component
for 20 years.
Commissioners said the six revenue
would gain legislative support, and if
4
Complaint process
by Arlene Mitchell
outlined
E
ven in the friendliest and most business hours. On-street violations,
responsible of neighborhoods, animal or pet concerns, or urgent
1. Complaint.
once in a while there can still be situations can be addressed by calling
submitted.
a property where challenges persist.
2. Inspection.
emergency line at 651-767-0640. People
the property to conduct an
to talk with their neighbors when are strongly encouraged to contact
they have concerns about property
violations. Many times residents are
City strives to complete this step
unaware they may be violating a city occurring so that it can be witnessed.
within two business days.
regulation. If the need arises to ask for
3.
outside help with code enforcement
the people involved in the
issues, this story explains how to do so.
situation that produced the
allow owners or tenants an opportunity
complaint and explains the
Arden Hills is a complaint-based City.
problem and how to resolve it.
City provides property owners and
Depending on the situation, this
look for violations of the Citys code. tenants with the information they
may be the owner, the tenant, or
need to avoid repeating the violation.
both. If the problem still exists,
complaint, which they then investigate
the owner/tenant will be given
in accordance with the code compliance frustrating for the complainant, who
seven days to resolve it. If the
policy below.may continue to live with the situation
problem no longer exists, the
through two weeks of warnings plus
owner/tenant will be informed
Submitting a complaint the time that it takes to move through
that another complaint within a
the abatement process, which requires
year may result in a citation or
investigate a complaint, they need a
other action.
description of the problem and its is legally obligated to follow notice and
4. Re-inspection.
location along with the complainants due diligence requirements, and the
contact information (name, address, City tries to work with property owners
the violation is resolved, the case
and tenants to achieve voluntary
compliance as quickly as possible.
be given.
submitted to the City by mail, e-mail,
5. Final notice.
or by calling City Hall during regular
owner/tenant will again be
owner/tenant is given another
AHATS
continued from page 1
seven days to resolve it before the
City takes action.
In late 2012 or 2013, the Army plans to begin construction of a
6. City action. If the violation
th
Aviation Support
second seven-day period,
center will be located west of the facility. Cost is estimated a
depending on the situation,
the City may issue a citation or
Several more buildings are planned on AHATS, although likely not
initiate the abatement process.
In an abatement process the City
(Army and Air National Guard) headquarters.
takes care of the problem and
then bills the owner/tenant for the
Lee said the City of Arden Hills and other community partners ha
work done.
supportive during the planning and construction. Its been a gr
7. Recurrence. If the substantially
couldnt have gotten this far without them, she said.
same violation happens again
within two years, the City
may issue a citation or begin
abatement without repeating the
two seven-day warning periods.
5
ECR-WSS
PRST STD
U.S. Postage Paid
Twin Cities, MN
Permit #1962
Arden Hills, MN
55112-5734
.
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AHATS facility opens
n
Postal Customer
s
New City inventory system
i
Valentine Park plans
d
Filing a complaint
e
Notes from the City Council
am often asked why the City Council Plan also assists a city in articulating the
I
approved a pharmacy on the corner basis for its zoning decisions.
of County Road E and Lexington,
interim, and accessory uses, which allow
when there are other pharmacies nearby, Additional tools cities have for planning
or why it approved new houses to be are the zoning ordinances. Zoning
built in a beautiful wooded area. A citys ordinances must be reasonable and have
Council review.
control over land is limited when land a rational basis. Zoning sets up districts
is privately owned. Just as a city cannot such as residential, commercial, or
Zoning ordinances also state setback and
dictate who private homeowners sell industrial/manufacturing, and sets the
their property to, it cannot dictate who regulations for each district.
constrain the size and location of buildings
buys privately- owned commercial or
and other structures, building location
vacant land. Even when neighbors would For each district, a zoning ordinance
and size, including height, width and bulk,
prefer that vacant lot to remain a beautiful typically sets forth uses that are allowed
parking or lighting requirements and the
wooded landscape, a city cannot deny and the performance standards that must
percentage of a lot that may be occupied,
development in accordance with the be met.
and required yards or open spaces.
Zoning Code.
Zoning districts also establish density,
While Arden Hills can set guidelines such as:
a manner that is reasonable and free
that govern the City in allowing or not Residential-1 (usually low density single
from arbitrariness or discrimination and
allowing certain land uses, it cannot deny family homes),
may not be so restrictive as to deny all
development that is within the guidelines. Residential-2 (usually single family
reasonable use of the land.
That is the reason people can see several homes and twin homes),
gas stations or pharmacies near one Residential-3 (usually apartment
Cities cannot discrimminate against
another. If the use is allowed in that area, buildings),
particular developments or developers,
the City cannot prevent development that Mixed-use or hybrid districts where
which is why, in many cases, the Council
is consistent with the use. traditional use categories are mixed.
cannot deny development requests. City
guidelines give everyone the right to build,
There are several tools the City uses Cities determine uses allowed in a
so long as they stay within the City rules
for development guidelines. One is the district. A permitted use is allowed as
and plans.
Citys Comprehensive Planwhich is a matter of right without further need
required by the Metropolitan Council. for review or approval of the city. By
Sincerely,
The Comprehensive Plan is a guideline contrast, prohibited uses are not allowed
for a city. It can also add legal protections in a district under any circumstances. An
if a particular ordinance provision is explicit listing of prohibited uses is rare.
challenged in court. The Comprehensive Our City ordinances simply provide that
Brenda Holden, Councilmember