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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary-February 2013City and County cooperating on TCAAP redevelopment by Kristine Goodrich T Infrastructure costs to be he City and County are working shared together to speed up redevelopobligations. Councilmembers pointed to - ment of 427 acres of the former The County and City will share - Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant develop TCAAP without placing develop the infrastructure costs of the - (TCAAP). Ramsey County is buying and TCAAP development site and will support cleaning up the land. The City of Arden construction of a main road connecting City creates master plan Hills and Ramsey County each approved Highway 96 and County Road H. The an agreement that forms a joint developThe City is responsible for com County also is responsible for road im -- - ment authority and outlines each entitys pleting an environmental study provements outside of the redevelopment development responsibilities.called an Alternative Urban Areawide area. The City will construct the minor Review. It also will prepare a Master Plan roads and the sewer and water utilities. The County to purchase 427 which will map the type and timing of de City and County will jointly be responsible - acres velopment, parks, streets and utilities. The for stormwater collection ponds. The City On November 27, the Ramsey plan will be approved by both the City and will recoup its infrastructure costs through County Board voted 5-2 to buy the portion the County and will be implemented by the assessments to future developers and/or of TCAAP from the federal government Joint Development Authority. Both the re property owners. - and hire a contractor to remove the buildview and the plan will be completed within - ings and remediate the contaminated soil. two years. The City will be reimbursed for The JDA will create a process for develop - The County had negotiated tentative conits preparation and implementation costs ers to submit proposals and will review - tracts with the General Services Adminisvia development fees. In the meantime it those plans. It will include two County - tration and Carl Bolander & Sons when a plans to use its Permanent Improvement Commissioners, two City Councilmembers, Vikings stadium was proposed on the site Revolving Fund to cover the expenses. and a non-elected representative appointed and those deals were set to soon expire. - tions of the Authority. for purchase and cleanup plus additional 2013 tax levy increases three percent improvements to the Highway 96 and n December 10, the City set its 2013 tax levy at $3,191,230, a 3 O sell bonds to cover most of the cost and - crease from last year. This is the same amount shown on the 2013 plans to repay those loans after the land is Property Tax statement sent to property owners by Ramsey County. sold. Supporters said the County needed to step up to clean up and develop the long- The majority of this increase, 1.8 of the 3 percent increase, is vacant Superfund site more quickly so it in services for which the City hires contractors. The largest in will add to the Countys tax base. Dissent - - ers deemed it too risky to commit County Citys operating expenses. The cost of other contracted services funding without a guarantee the property - tion technology and auditing, has also gone up. The City was abl will be redeveloped, and the money will be recouped in the near future. Property taxes are levied by Ramsey County, your school distric The County Board also approved a joint Council, and other special tax districts, as well as the City. T - powers agreement with the City on No - proximately 21 percent of total property tax an owner pays. vember 27. The City approved the agree - ment November 26 unanimously after Details about the budget and tax levy can be found on the Citys reviewing and amending the agreement website in the December 10 City Council meeting packet. on several prior occasions. The agreement forms a Joint Development Authority Business Notes from Around the Town: Arden Hills Service Directory 1245 West Highway 96 by Susan Cathey and Jessica Luther Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 C T on Lexington Avenue opened a new S HEUBTORE pharmacy drive-thru at the end of October. According to store director John Thompson, the customers have been 8:00 a.m.4:30 p.m. extremely positive, commenting that they especially like  651-792-7800 the convenience this new option offers. cityhall@cityofardenhills.org W opened a new store in Arden Plaza at the ALGREENS corner of Lexington and County Road E on September 28. Sheriff and Fire Emergency Welcome to the neighborhood! 911 Sheriff (non-emergency) announces a new and improved branch 651-767-0640 of their bank as it moves from its County Road Fire (non-emergency) E location to Lexington Avenue in front of 651-633-0640 Target. The new branch is scheduled to open Water and Sewer Problems on January 28 and will celebrate with special (During non-business hours) promotions in February and March. Visit the 651-767-0640 new branch for details. David Grant 651-538-0747 Mayor: FHI On December 17, ORMEROLIDAYNN: Councilmembers: Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 and up to 74 units of multi-family apartments. A development ag Dave McClung 651-332-0352 in the next few weeks and the project will begin construction th Ed Werner 651-636-2547 See City website for e-mail addresses. The existing 155 hotel rooms will be converted into residential City Administrator: Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810 area, lounge, theater room, gaming room, and indoor bicycle stor - Guires restaurant and banquet facilities will be converted into Communications Committee : fronting County Road E. Kristine Goodrich, editor; Susan Cathey As part of the approved project, the exterior and interior of th Staff Liaison: Amy Dietl parking lots and landscaping will be improved, and security (acc Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek County Sheriff Department) will be implemented and monitored. Council meetings are held at City Hall on the second and last Monday of the by Susan Cathey month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised A n Arden Hills project that has been on in its attempt to get tax credits to assist in live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of the drawing board for quite some time the Planning Commission are televised is now seeing action, although not exactly in its originally proposed form. The company was not successful in securing funding and, as a result, decided Playbacks of City meetings begin the to revise the plan and construct the morning after the meeting and continue Sand Companies, Inc. (SCI) received apartment building as a market rate every day until the next City meeting. project, rather than an affordable housing Playbacks are at 3 a.m., 11 a.m., and housing development at 1296 County Road development. SCI has obtained fund - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 F. The four-story building consisted of 55 ing from the Ramsey County Housing a.m., 2 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Saturday housing units with one to three bedrooms, Redevelopment Authority in the form and Sunday. For web casts, visit a 55-stall underground parking garage, and of a loan from the HOME Investment www.ctv15.org. a 55-stall surface lot. The development also Partnership Program. In exchange, Arden included a tot lot playground and picnic Village must have four units set aside for Arden Hills Notes - area for residents. The approval included a households whose incomes are less than letter of the City of Arden Hills, an rezoning from I-1, Limited Industrial Dis - equal-opportunity employer. trict to R-4, Multiple Dwelling District. SCI went through several funding cycles In light of the project change, SCI con - with Minnesota Housing Finance Agency - 2 duct a market study related to apartment Benchmarks: a review of recent City Council action November 26, 2012December 17, 2012 " the City contribution to employee Approved change order #2 increasing "" for a Master and Final Planned Unit - " Approved the agreement for legal ser " - Authorized the expenditure of up to vices between the City of Arden Hills Accepted the County Road E imple " " - mentation plan and adopted Resolu - Approved the Joint Powers Agreement report for the B-2 District and to enter " for the redevelopment of a portion of into a contract with Bolten and Menk " requesting Ramsey County withhold for the completion of the feasibility Hamline Avenue North from public December 10, 2012 Approved the Arden Village Develop " - " - " - pointing of John Van Valkenburg to serve on the Parks, Trails and Recre - assessments for delinquent utilities " ation Committee for a three-year term contract between the City of Arden Hills and the Lake Johanna Fire De " - " regarding no-waiver of the statutory liability limits and accepting the liabil - " - ity coverage limits from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for " " - pensation Plan for non-union employ - " - Arden Village continued from page 2 the City Coun as green space until additional parking is demand. The study found a greater demand - cil or Planning needed. The project now meets all stan for single and double units, versus family - Commission dards for multi-family dwellings recently sized three-bedroom units. consider minor adopted by the Council. may be approved by staff. At the Novem - It is noteworthy that the project required As a result, SCI proposed to convert many - mined that the proposed changes park dedication. In lieu of paying cash of the proposed three-bedroom units to were considered minor but asked to see for park dedication, the City asked SCI to one and two-bedroom units for a total more details. These were provided and construct a trail segment connecting its reviewed by the Council at the December development to the City sidewalk system. In addition to those changes, which will 17 work session. A development agree- The anticipated cost of the trail segment affect the building footprint slightly, SCI ment amendment was prepared and voted exceeded the amount that would have on at the December 17 City Council meet been owed as a park dedication payment. including granite counter tops, nine-foot - center, and additional outdoor recreation One of the conditions added to every land areas and amenities. Also, the underground Companies indicated that once it received use approval is that the project must be constructed in accordance with the ap - will be designated proof of parking, mean - - ing the space is available but may remain A sure cure for cabin feverArden Hills parks and trails Phil Kramlinger Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee ts wonderful winter again in Minnesota! I If you are able, the best way to beat When there is snow, Valentine Lake is a " cabin fever and enjoy winter is to get out in it. skiing. Bethel may groom a classic ski track. " Arden Hills offers many opportunities for winter fun right in our back yard. Sugges - " bothValentine Lake and Lake Johanna. Valentine Lake is quieter with walk-on " Most paved trails are cleared all winter.access only. " Cummings, Floral, and Tony Schmidt " Parks offer the longest trails. Be safe and be prepared for some icy Ice skating rinks are offered at Cum "" - patches.mings, Perry, Hazelnut, and Freeway Bethel University offers indoor walking Parks. " at their Sports and Recreation Center. Check the Arden Hills website at www.cityofardenhills.org or call the City The best sledding in Arden Hills is at " How about a hike in Tony Schmidt Park? - Ingerson Park with its long gentle slope tion. and easy access. As always, be safe and watch out for ! "Hope to see you out there the trees. Who represents us? Meet the new State Senator, new State House Representative, and our community. S rep.barb.yarusso@house.mn Blake.huffman@co.ramsey.mn.us sen.bev.scalze@senate.mn 4 NYFS: preparing young people and families for healthy lives sinc submitted by Northwest Youth and Family Services f youre going to change your life, with NYFS for key services, including gain real-world work experience while I usually a good place to start is with the mental health counseling, juvenile diverseniors get the help they need at an afford -- little things, says Northwest Youth and sion services, and senior chore services. able rate. Family Services (NYFS) President and All residents of Arden Hills are eligible CEO Jerry Hromatka. Were in the busito use these services when needed. Some - ness of transforming lives, which includes services are provided on a low-cost or free-from NYFS programs or services, please learning how to achieve goals and be acof-charge basis to low-income clients who - countable to others. Once you have a stable qualify. By combining our resources and about NYFS, please visit it on the web at foundation, then you can work on building our strengths, we are able to provide a high a better future.level of cost-effective care for our commu - nity partners, Hromatka says. Some things you should know NYFS has been living out its mission of about NYFS and its clients preparing youth and families for healthy Because of this partnership, Arden Hills lives since 1976 and has served thousands has the right to have city representation " of Arden Hills residents over the years. Its on the NYFS Board of Directors. That after-school programs improved their grades in school development, mental health counseling, We are grateful to have her talents and and academic/day treatment services for voice on the board, Hromatka says. She " severely emotionally disturbed youth.keeps us up to date on whats happening in clients have reported an improve - Arden Hills. ment in their symptoms The agencys main focus is on youth ages 5-21 because research shows that early inWhile their main focus is on youth, NYFS " - - tervention and a family-based approach to also offers a Senior Chore Program that students are able to return to their problems bring about life-changing results. - own schools within 16 months of pendently in their homes. NYFS youth treatment and adults are paired with seniors who year. need help with indoor and outdoor chores, " The City of Arden Hills, along with fourincluding snow shoveling. Its a great - teen other northern suburban cities, partner match, he says. Youth who need a job - sion by Arlene Mitchell ave you ever wondered what the snowing heavily, the trails were not throughout the H Citys Public Works department has done at this time.day continuing to do to clean up City streets and trails to clean up areas " after a major snow fall? Terry Maurer, called back in after the snow stopped. where the hard-packed snow was Public Works Director, noted, With last They did a complete plowing of all now loose enough to move. years lack of snow, sometimes we forget streets, trails, and parking lots. " - what a big snow storm is like.perature during the day loosened the " at work to continue cleaning up culs-snow pack; two plows again went de-sac and intersections.over the streets to remove snow and late on Saturday, December 8, and conslush. " - trucks went out to spread salt on City " dropping approximately 15 inches in streets in an effort to break up the the City streets and trails were in Arden Hills.hard-packed snow that remained after pretty good shape ready for the next plowing. snow event. "" spreading salt due to slippery condithree trucks went out to (re)plow all Fifteen inches of snow in one storm is - tions.City streets curb-to-curb.unusual. Public Works staff worked hard to clean it up as quickly as they (and "" were plowed. Because it was still nature) allowed. 5 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid Twin Cities, MN Permit #1962 Arden Hills, MN . I City/County cooperate on TCAAP n Tax levy set Postal Customer s Arden Village moves ahead i NYFS helps families live healthy lives d e Notes from the City Council I t is winter, but things are still very busy two items are one-time events and will at City Hall. As you may know the City require City Council approval. The city has a long history in working and Ramsey County are working to - with the County. We are partners in the gether to develop the TCAAP property (see Working with the County should be easier joint maintenance facility and we contract related story in this issue) through a Joint than doing it all on our own. our law enforcement through the Ramsey Powers Agreement (JPA). I would like to County Sheriff Department. The other as take this opportunity to offer my perspec - - pect of this project is that the sale becomes The sale needs to be approved by a U.S. Army-to-Ramsey County transac - tion, making it a public-to-public purchase. Because Congress owns federal land, I believe this is an easier transaction to We get the ability to clean up what has only it can authorize the sale of federal complete because it does not include a pri been an eyesore for decades. Buildings land. Approval could come as early as this - vate developer and any concerns regarding and old foundations will be removed, soil March, after which the cleanup to residen - remediated, and abandoned parking lots tial standards can begin. removed. When complete, the property will be cleaned up to a residential standard. By early February the JDA members will - The resulting development will give Arden - One of the interesting aspects of the JPA Hills a larger and more diverse tax base. ness will be to establish their bylaws. I am is that development applications will be The development is designed in such a way hopeful that by this summer the JDA can reviewed by a Joint Development Au that City costs will be recovered through start the development planning process, - thority (JDA) consisting of two County development permits and assessments to which will include many public input Commissioners, two City Councilmembers developers. In other words, over the long meetings. and one additional person appointed by run the development is designed to pay its the City. What this means is that the Arden The great news is that it appears that after own way. Hills City Council and Planning Commis over a decade of work, TCAAP will actu - - sion will remain focused on existing City ally get developed. I know you have heard business. that before, but this time the signs are One of the previous challenges was the difstrong. Stay tuned . . . One of the previous challenges was the difOne of the previous challenges was the dif- The City will contract out for a Master Plan and an environmental review called a clean-up cost for the project that could be an Alternative Urban Area Review. These agreed to by all parties. With the Vikings stadium project, these two items had to be David Grant, Mayor the stadium project led to being able to basic deal is going forward, just without a stadium. stadium.