HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2001 The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents April 2001
Arden Hills' former mayors: Where are they now?
Arden Hills has had ten mayors since living in the Twin Cities (a daugh- Lake Josephine, and surrounds
its incorporation(then as a village)in ter who is a programmer for Crepeau Nature Preserve
1951. Of our former nine mayors,five are Northwest Airlines and a (named after another former
still living,but only one is still an Arden son who runs a restau- mayor).This included the
Hills resident! rant kitchen) and a son creation of"Lake
Bob Woodburn,mayor from 1981 who is with a Woodburn,"the pond
until 1989, still lives on Ingerson Court pipeline company in just south of the
with his wife, Sally, in the house they California. Lexington entrance to
purchased in 1962, and where they raised Bob's interest and Arden Plaza,the excava-
their family. activities in public affairs tion of which allowed con-
Bob is also the longest-serving former in Arden Hills began soon after they struction of the mall's southeast driveway
mayor still living,and one during whose moved to Ingerson Court.The prospective and parking lot.
terms of office the city's population dou- construction of significant multifamily A development that was well meant
bled to 8,000(it's currently 9,652). housing seemed to threaten the quiet resi- but generated controversy was permitting
This,the first of two articles about for- dential ambience that had drawn many erection of the radio tower south of
mer mayors,is about Woodburn and his residents to Arden Hills(then relatively Round Lake,on territory acquired from
years as mayor. Others will form the sub- new as an incorporated village). He New Brighton as a result of construction
ject of a subsequent article.They include became part of a group that called them- of 1-35W.This 17-acre tract was intended
the first three mayors,all now deceased: selves the Arden Association.They to provide a buffer between the commer-
Walter Cummings(1951-54),Bob charged dues,held meetings,and attempt- cial zoning west of Round Lake and the
Ashbach(1954-63),and D.F. Kennedy ed to(and did,to a large extent)influence residential area east of the lake. However,
(1963-66).Then followed Bob Nethercut the city's development primarily in a sin- the original 24-hour strobe lighting gener-
(1966-68),now a Shoreview resident;Dr. gle-family residential direction. Among ated many complaints, and was modified
Robert Bjomdahl(1968-70),now a Grant, other activities,they published an inde- only after litigation was threatened.
Minn.,resident with a dental practice in pendent newsletter,the Town Crier,of Other developments that Bob recalls
St.Paul;Henry Crepeau(1970-81), which Arden Hills Notes,now the official as subjects of discussion prior to and dur-
deceased;Charlie Crichton(part of 1981), newsletter(with printing and distribution ing his terms of office include a major
now a Burnsville resident;and Tom Sather funded by the city),is a descendant. increase in street lighting(and attendant
(1989-94),now in Victoria,Minn.Our Bob served first as a member and then increased cost),enforcement of decibel
present mayor,Dennis Probst,took office as chair of the zoning board,and was elect- limits of boat motor noise on Lake
in 1994. ed a city councilmember in 1975.He served Johanna, as well as dealing with the
A native of Illinois,Bob(Dr. Robert frequently as acting mayor from 1978 until switch from a small village police force to
Woodburn,during his professional career) 1981,was appointed mayor in 1981,and contracting with the Ramsey County sher-
received his medical education at the elected for a second term 1985-89. iff. No jobs were lost,as the sheriff hired
University of Illinois and interned at Among the more significant events of the officers that had previously been city
United/Miller Hospitals in St.Paul, where his terms as mayor that he recalls were employees. He views in a favorable light
he remained on the staff as a pathologist the development of Arden Plaza, south of the city's acquisition of even the small
until his retirement from medical practice County Road E at Lexington Avenue,and portion of the TCAAP(Arsenal)property
in 1989. Since 1987,he and Sally have the zoning of the land south of there to now the site of city hall construction,
owned and operated Woody's True Value include a gradual transition from the com- since at one time it seemed as though the
Hardware in Plymouth,Minn.,where they mercial area to the apartments on Pine Federal government would never give up
actually work about five days a week Tree Drive and Harriet Avenue to the sin- any of the property.
(usually not Thursdays or Fridays).They gle family residential area that then
have three grown children,the two eldest extends south toward Ingerson Drive and (Continued inside)
City of AROUND
Arden Hills t��� TOWN
Service ■ ■ ■ ■
Directory mp&
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®° Business Briefs
a City Hall from the Arden Hills Planning Commission...
651-634-5120
(http://www.ci.arden-
X A recommendation from the Planning Commission regarding the construction of a Walgreen's
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on the northwest corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue will be considered by the
Fire(non-emergency) Council at the end of March. New information on the project will be introduced at that time.
651-633-2404
Parks&Recreation X The Planning Commission recommended approval of a Preliminary Master Planned
651-634-5120 Development(PUD) for Chesapeake Companies for office buildings,potentially up to
eight stories high, located in the northeast quadrant of Highways 35W and 694 in the
° Police(non-emergency) Gateway Development area.The Council will consider the Planning Commission's
651-484-3366 recommendations at the end of March. A final PUD would be necessary for review of
Police&Fire Emergency building plans before construction will occur.
911
Parks and Recreation UPDATE
Arden Hills City Hall Department
4364 West Round Lake Rd.
Arden Hills,MN 55112 It goes without saying that spring is a busy time for city employees and volunteers involved with parks
Regular office hours and recreation activities.Here are some thoughts from Parks and Recreation Director Tom Moore.
8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.,M-F This summer the city will replace the play structures at Floral and Sampson parks. The
City Council:Mayor Dennis City has notified neighbors about the scope of the work. Reaction to our plans by residents
Probst.Councilmembers: surrounding the parks have been very favorable,Moore says.
Beverly Aplikowski,David
Grant,Gregg Larson,Lois Rem >The city is currently accepting applications for summer employment in the Parks and
Recreation Department for positions in maintenance and in recreation programs. Among the
City Administrator: Toe Lynch
opportunities are openings for youth umpires and playground program counselors. For more
Council meetings are held at information, call City Hall at 651-634-5120.
City Hall,4364 West Round
Lake Road,the second and >The Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks,Trails and Recreation Committee are work-
last Monday of the month ing hard to make the city's 50th Anniversary celebration at Tony Schmidt Park on June 23 a success.
at 7:30 p.m.The public is
welcome.Please call the City >The Parks and Recreation Department has assisted several Eagle Scout candidates with
Administrator(651-634-5120) their final projects. Moore says that his department is eager to work with other Scouts who
if you have topics for the are pursuing that goal. For additional information, call him at 651-634-5120.
agenda. The meetings are
televised,tape delayed,on > A summer picnic facility reservation guide is available at City Hall for Arden Hills resi-
Cable Channel 16 on the dents who want to reserve picnic facilities for events this season.
following Wednesday at
I 1 a.m.and 7 p.m.
Arden Hills Communications With milder days comes outdoor activity. For every
Committee:Chairperson Sue safety, the Arden Hills Parks, 1 Recreation 1
Schroeder(651-636-8954), walkers 1 joggers 1 always walk and run facing traffic when they're
Elwood Caldwell,Fran
Holmes,Mary Nosek. Council using city streets. For 1 own safety, never turn your
Liaison:Lois Rem.Staff:Joe you see them and they see you!
Lynch,Sheila Stowell.
Desktop Publisher: Sharon
Hanzalik.
Arden Hills' former mayors (Continued from front)
Arden Hills Notes is the official
newsletter of the city of Arden As for executive privilege,he remembers"fixing"only one ticket.A resi-
Hills,an equal opportunity dent whose mailbox had been knocked over by a city snowplow twice in rapid
employer. succession then reset the box in concrete and parked a truck as a protective barrier. When the
truck was ticketed and towed,Bob used his influence to get the ticket canceled!
Council
-13enchmarks A review of recent February 26 Council Meeting Semper(Walgreen's)for a site at ■ Approved 2001 budgeted capital
County Road E and Lexington Avenue improvement expenditures for Toro
• Approved purchase of Public Works (Planning Case#00-45). Groundsmaster and Toro Groomer.
dump truck(2001 budgeted item).
■ Approved Pay Request#2 to Gridor
• Approved professional design services March 2 and March 9 Construction,Inc.,for 2001 sanitary
fee adjustment for City Hall construction. sewer rehabilitation project and rebuild
■ Participated in annual City Council of Lift Station No. 8 ($43,231.50).
• Renewed Pot `0 Gold Bingo Hall Retreat with City Administrator and
premises permit. Department Heads. ■ Awarded contract for storm water man-
agement plan to SEH(Short Elliott
• Approved application for authorization Hendrickson Inc)in the amount of
for an exempt organization gambling March 12 Council Meeting $24,951.
permit(University Urban Forestry Club).
■ Approved reimbursables payment to ■ Declined Metropolitan Management
• Approved Minnesota Department of Architectural Alliance for City Hall Association's proposal to pay flat fee
Transportation proposal to construct a ($12,408.03). for 2001 labor consulting services.
noise wall on the east side of 1-35W
from Highway 96 north to the railroad ■ Approved Payment#5 to Rochon
overpass. Corporation for City Hall construction
($266,008.91). Full minutes are available at the
• Approved Corporate Express site plan Arden Hills Library,City Hall,
review(Planning Case#01-01). ■ Approved 2001 budgeted capital
improvement expenditure for play- and on line at the city's website
• Tabled special use permit, site plan, ground structure at Sampson Park. (http://www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us).
variance,and lot split application by
Report on the Arden Hills City Hall Construction Update
Annual Retreat
When you drive by the site on Highway 96 between Hamline and
Lexington Avenues,you will see the new city hall construction is well
The emphasis at the annual city retreat was on under way.By mid-March,the roof was on and the interior was beginning to
priorities. Meeting in two sessions on take shape.Walls, stairs,and the elevator shaft are in place. The electrical,
March 2 and March 9,the City Council, City plumbing,and ventilating systems are installed. After the windows have been
Administrator, and Department Directors along installed and temperatures warm up a bit,the stone for the exterior(currently
with the facilitator, discussed the most pressing on-site) will be put in place. The contractor expects the building will be
issues facing Arden Hills. The consensus on the ready for occupancy by mid-July.
priorities were:
•The Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Sign Ordinance Review and Revision
(TCAAP)land and addressing issues in order
to be prepared for development when the land
is available sometime in the future; he Planning Commission's 2001 work plan identifies review and revi-
Tsion of the city's sign ordinance as a priority. Our planning consultant,
•The Pavement Management Program and the Mike Cronin (Mike Cronin&Associates),has been retained to assist city
city policy for street reconstruction; and planner Jennifer Chaput with reviewing and presenting proposed revisions of
•The Gateway Development Area and the West the ordinance to the Planning Commission.To begin this process,city staff is
Round Lake Road reconstruction improvements. creating a working group of residents and business owners to meet twice
beginning in May. A slide show of existing signs in the city will be present-
The Council and Staff find the annual retreat ed to the working group at the first meeting with discussion of the current
useful for reflection on methodologies of gover- ordinance regulations to follow.If you are interested in participating in the
nance. It also provides an opportunity to brain- working group,please contact City Planner Jennifer Chaput at City Hall.
storm issues and discuss specific concerns.
Variety, fun to highlight 50th Anniversary celebration
Events, entertainment, and activities for all ages will fill Arden Hills' 50th
Anniversary Golden Celebration on Saturday,,June 23. Members of the Arden Hills
Events Task Force have been hard at work planning a day that will provide an oppor-
tunity for all members of the community to celebrate the city's Golden Anniversary.
The range of activities—which will center around the newly renovated Tony
Schmidt Park on Lake Johanna—will have artists and aquatic activities; music and
mad scientists; parades and a a petting zoo; clowns and children's games; food and
fireworks; a history video and display; high tea and much more.
The day's activities will begin at 11 a.m. with a parade and the opening of the
arts and crafts show. They will conclude at dusk with a fireworks spectacular. Shuttle bus transportation
from various locations within the city will provide easy access to the park throughout the day.
The 50th anniversary celebration officially began on February 12 with a special City Council session to
recognize the anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Arden Hills. The activities will conclude with
the dedication of the new City Hall in the fall of 2001.
WHAT'S IN A NAME? ... Arden Hills' name that is!
Arden Hills —It's a nice name,poetic between Hamline and Snelling Avenues from tQQht
almost. Somehow it conjures scenes of County Road C-2 to County Road E. �0�0�
green hillsides maybe dotted with placid, Hackney,who also served as State Up
blue lakes.But as our city approaches its Senator from the 37th District from 1907 to
50th anniversary,it's probably a safe bet 1914,named his farm Arden Dairy Farms. Photos (especially Of
that few residents actually know where the He chose that name because he purchased requested historical interest) are
name originated.Actually,it's the cows! some of his Friesian-Holstein cattle from a requested for use in
the Arden Hills 50th
Let us explain.According to a story in the herd in the East called the Arden herd.
July 1, 1976,New Brighton Bulletin,a According to the Bulletin article,the Anniversary book
.
Summit Avenue millionaire named Joseph City of Arden Hills eventually took its Also, photos Of city
Hackney built a large dairy farm in the area name from the Arden Dairy Farms. parks, trails, and
in 1906.The barn from that farm is still Those who find that explanation lacking recreation activities
standing at the corner of Lydia and Hamlin in romance, might be comforted to know are requested for the
Avenue. (Ironically,it's technically in that Arden is also the name of a forest dis- cover of the Parks
Roseville.)Today it houses District offices of trict in central England, generally believed and Recreation Guide.
Independent School District No.621. to be the setting of Shakespeare's pastoral
Hackney eventually bought up all the land comedy"As You Like It."
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U.S.Postage Paid
St.Paul,MN
Permit#1962
City of Arden Hills•4364 West Round Lake Road
Arden Hills,MN• 55112-5794
•Arden Hills'former mayors
•Business Briefs
S •Parks and Recreation Department Update POSTAL CUSTOMER
•Recent Council actions
• City Hall Construction Update
• Sign Ordinance Review and Revision
e •Arden Hills Annual Retreat