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Home My WebLink AboutFebruary 2001 Arden Hills The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents February 2001 Golden Celebration 2001 Many community sponsors to participate in June 23 activities The Arden Hills Events Task Force consists of city residents,Council and staff members,and representatives of community organiza- tions and businesses.The Task Force has planned a memorable day-long celebration of our 50th Anniversary for Saturday,June 23,2001. ➢ Packed with activities for all ages— from families with small children to teenagers to senior citizens—the June 23 celebration will center around Tony Schmidt Regional Park on Lake Johanna,beginning at 11 a.m.with a street parade with floats and bands. ➢ The park itself will be transformed for the day with shuttle bus parking,children's rides and games,an arts and crafts show,a stage with music groups and other free entertainment,food booths,water activities and a boat parade,plus exhibits that will depict the development and services of the City itself and of community organizations within it.A fireworks display at dusk over the lake will conclude the day. Our Anniversary Year of 2001 will be featured in other ways and at other times as well:Proclamation Day(commemorating the actual incorporation on February 14, 195 1)will be marked by a ceremonial Council meeting and invitational reception at the Holiday Inn;banners will be posted all season along County Road E between Lexington and Snelling Avenues;the 48th Annual Kids Ice Fishing Contest on Lake Johanna sponsored by the Arden Hills Sportsman's Club was held on February 11;a book and video history of the city will be published;and the completion and dedication of the new City Hall on Highway 96 will take place later in the year. The June 23 celebration is being underwritten financially by the city with additional funding and sponsorships from local businesses. Of the many other community organizations(service clubs,churches,school parents associations,block clubs)invited by the Task Force to participate in ways of their choice,those not yet heard from may still respond by calling 651-636-2499. Help make this a celebration to remember! Arden Hills 2001 Budget and Tax Levy show minimal increases Following an uneventful Truth-in- Enterprise funds. tax rates for those years are 17.207% ver- Taxation hearing on December 4,the Net annual levy increases over the sus 18.992%,and in dollars per median Arden Hills City Council adopted resolu- past six years in Arden Hills have ranged home value$401.06 versus $400.83,an tions December 11 clarifying the final from 1.91%to 3.26%,averaging 2.54%. increase of only$.23 (0.06%). sums of money to be levied for 2000 Thus this year's increase of 2.5% is Comparable increases for ten (payable in 2001) and approving the 2001 very typical,although in contrast t' neighboring cities calculated budget.Details of the proposed 2001 All to previous practice,this year the same way range from Funds budget and associated tax levy the Minnesota Legislature $3.10(0.98%)for Falcon r were summarized in the November issue imposed no ceiling on the Heights to$100.26(31.68%) of Arden Hills Notes. amount by which cities for Mounds View.For New Brighton The property tax levy for the General could increase their tax levy over the pre- and Shoreview,the comparable increases Fund totaled$2,025,092(an increase of vious year. are$40.51 (12.45%)and$24.05 (6.64%) only$49,392 or 2.5%over 2000),while A look at dollar and percentage respectively. the All Funds budget for 2001 totaled changes in city tax in Arden Hills versus These comparisons with other cities $7,553,890.In addition to the property tax surrounding suburban cities may be of deal only with the City tax levy.Of your levy of$2.0 million,Arden Hills' bud- interest: The median home market value total 2001 property tax bill,in round getary funds come from Special Revenue, here for taxes payable in 2001 is numbers only 16% will go to the City of Debt Service,Capital Project and $171,200,versus $157,850 for 2000.City (Continued on back) City of AROUND Arden Hills TOWN Service Directory Business Briefs City Hall from the Arden Hills' Planning Commission ... 651-633-5676 Fire(non-emergency) X Walgreens has an application pending before the Planning Commission to build a 14,500 651-633-2404 square-foot store at the corner of County Road E and Lexington.This is on the corner lot of the property owned by Holiday Inn.The lot would be subdivided to accommodate the new store. Parks&Recreation 651-633-5676 Once the Planning Commission has made a recommendation on the application,it will go the the City Council for review. Police(non-emergency) 651-484-3366 X A major developer has filed a concept plan for a five-story office building in the Gateway Business District.The proposal would be located near the Interstate 694 and 35W intersection. Police&Fire Emergency A concept plan allows the Planning Commission and the Council the opportunity to consider the 911 request generally before formal application is made in greater detail. Arden Hills City Hall X Corporate Express Headquarters,located on County Road E,has filed an application with the 4364 West Round Lake Rd. Arden Hills,MN 55112 Planning Commission for additional dock doors and a reconfiguration of its parking lot. Regular office hours X Guidant Corporation,located on Hamline Road,has filed an application with the Planning 8 a.m.to 4.30 pm.,M-F Commission for a five-story parking structure on its campus. City Council:Mayor Dennis Probst.Councilmembers: Adopt-a-Tree Program Beverly Aplikowski,David Grant,Gregg Larson,Lois Rem •Commemorative trees—$5 The residents of Arden Hills have a great *:Large trees(Sugar/Red City Administrator: Joe Lynch opportunity to maintain and enhance the Maple,River Birch,Red beauty of our city.Arden Hills is initiating an Oak,or Autumn Blaze Council meetings are held at Adopt-a-Tree program,which has informally City Hall,4364 West Round been in effect for quite some time.The pro- Ash)—$35-40 Lake Road,the second and gram allows residents to purchase trees to be •Small trees(Royal Star last Monday of the month T Magnolia)or Evergreens at 7:30 p.m.The public is planted in Arden Hills public spaces,primarily (Black Hills Spruce or White welcome.Please call the City parks,for all to enjoy.The price for the trees Pine)—$33 Administrator(651-633-5676) vary as shown at right. if you have topics for the Please contact Tom Moore,Parks and `lowering Crabs(Prairie Fire agenda.The meetings are Recreation Director at 651-633-5676 for more or Sugar Tyme)—$20-30 televised,tape delayed,on information about this worthwhile program. Cable Channel 16 on the following Wednesday at 11 a.m.and 7 p.m. Participation up in winter activities Arden Hills Communications Committee:Chairperson Sue rThe first"real Minnesota participation had been low in recent years and Schroeder(651-636-8954), 1 winter"in several years is the rink is particularly difficult to maintain. Elwood Caldwell,Fran Holmes,Mary Nosek.Council underway.In true Minnesota However,following a strong case presented by Liaison:Lois Rem.Staff:Joe fashion,Arden Hills residents neighborhood residents,the City Council Lynch,Sheila Stowell. are taking advantage of the opportunity decided to reopen the rink.Response has been Desktop Publisher:Sharon to enjoy the outdoors."Participation is very very positive,according to Moore.A neighbor- Hanzalik. strong at all our ice rinks,"says Tom Moore, hood skating party in January attracted more Parks and Recreation Director."We're also than 100 participants. Arden Hills Notes is the official seeing record numbers at our figure skating and Keeping trails open during winter months newsletter of the city of Arden hockey lessons." has been a challenge in Arden Hills due to Hills,an equal opportunity One of the parks enjoying a special revival the uneven terrain.This year,the city field test- employer. is Valentine Park.Last year,the city did not ed a new piece of equipment from Canada that open the skating rink at that location because (Continued on back) f Benchmarks A review of recent Council actions November 27 Council Meeting ■ Approved LMCIT Municipal Excess (#01-03);transfer of funds by telephonic Liability Coverage instructions (#01-04); and designation • Approved Resolution#00-44,adopting of 2001 official newspaper. and confirming annual special assess- ■ Approved Ingraham&Associates as ments for delinquent utilities. vendor for the city's first Comprehensive ■ Authorized appointment of acting Park and Recreation Plan. mayor,council liaisons,professional • Renewed annual curbside recycling consultants,and statutory appointment contract. ■ Approved Special Use Permit for the of Planning Commission members and City's 50th Anniversary banners along a chairperson for 2001. • Authorized advertising for bids for County Road E. rehabilitation of Lift Station#8 and January 8 Council Meeting sanitary sewer and televising of the ■ Denied building permit in the Vaughan lines in that area. Tower Appeal. ■ Approved new city logo. • Adopted Resolution#00-42,a ■ Appointed Warren Pakulski and A. ■ Approved front yard variance for 1867 Resolution of Commitment to adopt Clayton Zimmerman to the Planning Glen Paul Avenue. an Erosion and Sediment Control Commission beginning January 2001. Ordinance. ■ Approved planned unit development ■ Authorized a surcharge and eventual (PUD)amendment for Manufacturer's • Adopted Resolution#00-43,a resolu- shutoff for city water users using non- Services,4300 Round Lake Road. tion to complete and adopt aStormwater radio read meters. Management Plan consistent with the ■ Accepted Web-site Development Task Rice Creek Watershed District Second ■ Authorized revising senior sanitary sewer Force recommendations and authorized Generation Plan. utility rates effective January 1,2001. staff to proceed. • Approved payment of Payment Request ■ Authorized resolution#00-45 clarifying ■ Awarded bid for 2001 Lift Station#8 #2 to Rochon Corporation on a City Hall final sums of money to be levied for reconstruction. construction in the amount of$132,847.45. levy year 2000,payable in 2001. ■ Accepted proposal for maintenance on December 11 Council Meeting ■ Authorized Resolution#00-46,adopt- the North and South Water Tower. ing 2001 budget. • Approved 2001 liquor license renewals. ■ Declined membership renewal request January 2 Council Meeting from Metro East Development Approved IRS mileage rate increase. Partnership. ■ Adopted resolutions designating depos- • Authorized Abdo,Abdo,Eick& itories and corporate authorization ■ Authorized combined change order#1 Meyers for 2001 Audit Agreement. (#01-01);designating additional money and Payment Request#3 on market depositories for investment pur- City Hall construction. Authorized Law Enforcement Services poses (#01-02);designating brokerage Agreement,3-year renewal contract. firms for investment in financial instru- Full minutes are available at the ments authorized by state statute con- Arden Hills Library,City Hall,and sistent with city investment policy soon to be on line. Volunteer •r an Arden Hills city committee, or event Are you new to the city and interested bets of the city committees is done each activities planned for the Arden Hills 50th in meeting new people?Have you lived in January so contact City Hall and let them Anniversary Celebration. Arden Hills for many years and think now know your interest.The following com- The Parks and Recreation Department is a good time to become more involved? mittees are in need of new members: needs volunteers to work on projects Do you have an expertise or special talent ranging from special event projects to ✓ Communications Committee,which that could benefit our city? teaching classes.The Department is also If you answered"yes"to any of the creates and publishes the Arden Hills eager to talk with students and others above questions,you should give serious Notes newsletter; and interested in investigating internships and thought to becoming involved with a city ✓Operations and Finance Committee, with schools where students are asked to committee,task force,or event. which deals with safety and maintenance complete service learning experiences. The committees and tasks forces issues,and the city budget. For more information on any of these generally meet once a month and the time opportunities call Sheila Stowell at City commitment is not overwhelming. The City Events Task Force is looking Hall 651 -631-5676. Appointment of new and renewing mem- for volunteers to assist with the variety of Library Spotlight ... 2001 Budget and Tax Levy Y (continued from front) Where you can learn in comfort! Arden Hills.The other components include 39% each for Ramsey ARDEN HILLS LIBRARY, 1941 West County Road E, 651-628-6831 County and School District 621 (if you are in that District),and 7% for These magazines will be new at the Arden Hills Library in 2001: other an or purposes. Of perhaps greater interest to Fine Gardening Men's Health home owners might be the appor- 0, The Oprah Magazine Opera News tionment to City services of the $401 City tax on a$171,200 median PC World Vanity Fair value home in Arden Hills. Per the Vegetarian Times Wildbird 2001 budget,this will provide $45 Read the current issue in the library or check out older issues. for street maintenance,$90 for police protection,$82 for adminis- In February, look for a new, improved computer catalog, better adapted to tration,legal,planning,and econom- ic development expenses,$53 for Internet searching. Logon from home: www.ramsey.lib.mn.us. park maintenance,$51 for fire pro- tection,$19 for protective (building Storytimes will not be scheduled at the Arden Hills Library until April. Mounds and other)inspection,$48 for capi- View, Shoreview, and Roseville Library story times began in mid-January. tal funds,and $13 for government Check with any Ramsey County Library for specific times. buildings—quality service at afford- able prices! Winter activities (Continued from inside) is more efficient in opening trails in hilly areas. Moore commented that the test was impressive Arden Hills and he is preparing a proposal to the City Council recycling and that Arden Hills add the equipment to its fleet.In garbage pick-up are addition,a cooperative plan has been developed that now on the SAME DAY! enables the city to open more trails and to open them more quickly after snowfalls. Tuesday's pick-up is for residents Thinking beyond this winter into the city's south of Highway 694 recreation future,the Parks and Recreation and Department is developing its first-ever comprehen- Wednesday's pick-up is for sive park plan.The project will take from six to residents north of Highway 694. nine months,Moore says. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS 4364 WEST ROUND LAKE ROAD ECR — WSS ARDEN HILLS, MN 55112-5794 PRST STD U.S.Postage Paid St.Paul,MN Permit#1962 Inside Golden Celebration 2001 2001 Budget and Tax Levy Business Briefs POSTAL CUSTOMER Adopt-a-Tree Program Participation up in winter activities Recent Council actions Volunteers needed