HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2013New and improved! Valentine Park reopens
by Susan Cathey
Y
Y oull want to put a visit to the
rock dams in order to control
Y
Y improved Valentine Park,
sediment erosion.
Y
Y 1650 Lake Valentine Road,
Y
Phase Two, which happened
lengthy planning process and many
this spring, involved paving
months of work in two phases, the
the parking lot, turf repair and
redevelopment is scheduled for com
restoration, and installation of
-
pletion by the end of June. A Grand
Re-Opening is planned for Tuesday,
half basketball court
July 16, with a ribbon-cutting cer
-
new play structure with
emony, picnic shelter dedication, ice
swing set
cream social, and other activities.
picnic shelter
If you plan to go to
benches, picnic tables, trash
the July 16 festivities
Phase One, completed last fall,
receptacles
included site preparation and
For information on the time for the
grading, as well as the planting of
outdoor bathroom enclosure
July 16 festivities or to see diagrams
two rain gardens. Before starting
bituminous trail on the Lake
of the renovated park, visit the City
Phase Two, time was allowed for soil
Val entine Road to the Glenview/
to consolidate and for water in the website.
Crystal Avenue intersections.
Arden Hills Foundation launched
by Lois Rem
I
n October 2012, long-standing type of agency have come from Vice President, and resident Arlene
individuals as well as businesses and Mitchell as Secretary. City Finance
when the Arden Hills Foundation corporations. One possible area that and Administrative Services Director
Sue Iverson serves as Treasurer.
recreation fee scholarships for Arden
completely separate from the City, Hills families, so that all children
was created to encourage donation have an opportunity to participate
of funds or goods to promote the in the Citys recreation programs. completed this spring, was supporting
positive life of Arden Hills for its Other areas the Foundation might a water quality plan brought forward
residents, businesses, and visitors. consider appropriate include items
As Foundation President David such as playground equipment, sports Lake Improvement District, its
equipment, landscaping, lake water members, and other neighbors
quality improvement projects, and the donated designated funds to purchase
our community through tax-free City festival.
contributions, designated and
undesignated, from people and for sport but to improve lake water
businesses, and through funding currently consists of residents of Arden
items consistent with the intent of the Hills in their individual capacity: the balance of the food chain so that
contribution.David Grant (Mayor) as President, there is ultimately less algae in the
For several years, requests for this Fran Holmes (Councilmember) as
District, established in 2003, has
continued on page 5
News from Around the Town
City Service Directory
Recycling and trash guidelines outlined
by Susan Cathey
1245 West Highway 96
S
Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734
ummer is a good time to review the rules regarding
weekly recycling and trash disposal. Arden Hills
Monday through Thursday
regulations provide clear guidelines:
Friday
Keep all materials within easily washable, rust resistant,
nonabsorbent containers with securely fitting lids that are
kept closed.
Store containers within an enclosed building or in the side or r
adjacent to a structure.
Wash and disinfect containers as needed to prevent them from bec
Sheriff and Fire Emergency
nuisance.
Keep all garbage, refuse, and recycling containers located on pu
Sheriff (non-emergency)
in locations as determined by the Public Works Director to promo
public use and maintenance of public property.
Fire (non-emergency)
Some recyclables that do not fit in containers may be placed nex
Newspapers or mixed paper should be bagged. Cardboard boxes shou
flattened and bundled, not exceeding three feet in length and 50
Water and Sewer Problems
(During non-business hours)
requirements. (Garbage collectors may charge an extra fee and di
guidelines for materials that cannot be placed inside of the ref
Refuse and recycling containers from single-family dwellings sho
Mayor:
David Grant 651-538-0747
placed at their assigned collection location the night before or
Councilmembers:
Brenda Holden 651-636-2987
scheduled collection day.
Fran Holmes 651-631-1866
Dave McClung 651-332-0352
The PTRC wants your input
Ed Werner 651-636-2547
See City website for email addresses
City Administrator:
month throughout the year and is looking for resident feedback t
Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810
Communications Committee
Kristine Goodrich, editor;
Susan Cathey, Jessica Luther
you, please contact the Parks and Recreation Manager at 651-792-
Council Liaison: Dave McClung
Staff Liaison: Amy Dietl
Thanks to the National Guard!
Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek
An Arden Hills-based National Guard unit painted a hockey rink,
Council meetings are held at City Hall
warming houses, and a picnic pavilion at Freeway, Hazelnut, and
on the second and last Monday of the
in June. Members of the 147th Human Resource Company participate
month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised
live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of
community service projects to thanks the community for supportin
the Planning Commission are televised
a deployment to Kuwait and Afghanistan, where they provided admi
the month. Playbacks of City meetings
and postal support.
begin the morning after the meeting and
continue every day until the next City
meeting. Playbacks are 3 a.m., 11 a.m.,
Neighborhood Night to Unite is August 6
and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and
7 a.m., 2 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Saturday
N
eighborhoods and businesses are invited to hold
and Sunday. For web casts, visit www.
evening block parties during Night to Unite, August 6.
ctv15.org.
Arden Hills Notes
newsletter of the City of Arden Hills, an
equal-opportunity employer.
2
Benchmarks
AReview of Recent City Council Action
Approved Ordinance 2013-005
May 13, 2013
Approved Planning Case 13-006
amending Section 1250.03 Subd.
for a Sign Standard Adjustment at
Approved a contract with Lee Sports 1 of the City Code relating to
the Twin Cities Army Ammunition
Surfacing, LLC in the amount of
Plant site, with the signs not to
$14,500 for hard court maintenance
exceed 50 square feet (5-0)
at Hazelnut Park, Royal Hills Park, applies to residential properties)
and Valentine Park (5-0)(5-0)
Approved Planning Case 13-005 for
a Sign Standard Adjustment at 1195
Approved payment of $917 to the Scheduled the 2013 State of the City
County Road E, the e-Street Flats (3-
Lake Johanna Fire Department,
2, Holden, McClung opposed)
which is the Citys share of the 7 to 9 a.m. at Flahertys Arden Bowl
capital expenditure for computer (5-0)May 28, 2013
(McClung excused)
replacement (5-0)
Approved adjustments to the
Authorized an interfund loan from
Accepted John Mennengas Community Development Intern
the PIR Fund to the General Fund
resignation as the City Building position increasing number of
in the amount of $500,000 for
budget hours from 1,040 to 1,575,
TCAAP expenditures at an interest
and increasing the hourly wage to
rate of three percent to be repaid
Building Inspector (5-0)$14 per hour (5-0)
from future Sewage Access Fund
fees as collected on the development
Approved the purchase and Approved resolution 2013-026
(City responsibilities include paying
installation of a High Tide authorizing the acquisition of tax-
for the TCAAP AUAR, Master
Technologies Water Communication forfeited property located at 3208
Plan and Regulations & Policies.
System from Electric Pump Hamline Avenue North (5-0)
Company in the amount of $30,420
during development of the TCAAP
Approved the termination of
(5-0)
property) (4-0)
Special Use Permits 89-19, 90-5,
Approved the proposal from and 88-31 at 1201 County Road E,
Approved Ordinance 2013-006
Electric Pump Company for the the former Holiday Inn (permits for
amending section 420.02, subd. 4
(A)(2) of the City Code to increase
#9 to include new pumps, control sign) (5-0)
the bond/insurance requirement
panel, access cover with safety
for dangerous dogs (updated City
Adopted Resolution 2013-025
grating, and miscellaneous internal
ordinance to match state statutes)
recognizing National Public Works
material at a total cost of $123,700
(4-0)
Week: May 19-25 (5-0)
(5-0)
Authorized the City Administrator
Adopted Resolution 2013-020
Approved Ordinance 2013-004
to attend the 2013 International City
adopting Assessment Roll for
Amending Section 335 Residential
Management Association annual
the 2013 Pavement Management
Rental Unit Registration Expiration
conference (4-0)
Program (PMP), excluding the
Dates (expiration date moved from
property at 3121 Ridgewood Road
June 30 to December 31) (5-0)
Approved an Outdoor Concert
(5-0)
License for a special event, Gather 4
Approved the Assignment of
Good, to be held at Catholic United
Adopted Resolution 2010-021
Development Agreement for 1201
Financial, 3499 Lexington Avenue
awarding the 2013 PMP project to
N., on Saturday, June 15, from 10
North Valley, Inc. in the amount of
a.m. to 1 p.m. (4-0)
$723,367 (5-0)
the loan holder default) (5-0)
Approved the development of the
Authorized contracting on an
Appointed Steve Heikkila
Triangle property (Lake Johanna
hourly basis with Elfering and
to Economic Development
Boulevard and New Brighton Road)
Associates, not to exceed $64,000,
Commission (5-0)
based on the revised concept plan
for construction service for the 2013
PMP (Inspector and Survey Crew
Find more detail at May 28 (4-0)
operating under direction of the
www.cityofardenhills.org
Assistant City Engineer) (5-0)
3
Guidelines set for public development subsidies
by Kristine Goodrich
T
It will remove blight and/
he City has a new set of
or encourage high-quality
square foot for industrial property,
guidelines for giving tax
redevelopment, or is a new
development on a site that could not
$125 per square foot for commercial
other forms of subsidies to businesses.
be developed without assistance.
space, or $100,000 per unit for rental
properties.
of criteria, with a grading system,
for the developer without assistance.
Limitations and prohibitions
as a guide for considering subsidy
It is consistent with City land
applications from private developers.
use documents, including the
limitations and prohibitions,
Comprehensive Plan and Zoning
including:
exceptions to the guidelines if deemed
Ordinances.
appropriate.
(TIF) and abatement will not
be provided for new apartment
O t
Subsidies refers to loans, grants, land
buildings.
donations, fee waivers, abatement
of property taxes, tax increment
advantage over similar projects in
ratio is at least 3-to-1.
provided by the City to facilitate a new
the area.
amount of property taxes paid.
will be considered only if they provide
development would harm the
environment.
employer.
a whole. In addition to the new City
TIF and abatement will be provided
guidelines, business subsidies also
It redevelops a blighted or
on a pay-as-you-go basis.
challenged site.
TIF must come from inside the
City will hire a consultant to give an
applicable district to eliminate an
independent review of each subsidy
existing apartment, commercial,
impact on existing taxpayers.
follow-ups to ensure the development
It brings high-end or specialty retail
promised.
to minimize the amount of public
It includes a restaurant.
subsidy needed.
It includes a high-technology,
Speculative developments will not
medical technology, or research and
be considered; the developer must
development business.
provide market demand data or
redevelopment, including:
It provides opportunities for small
tenant commitments.
businesses.
It is likely to stimulate additional
development.
T
he Citys new website was
6,577 website visitors (returning
launched six months ago, and understandable information they
users = 3,500 and new users =
according to Google Analytics it are looking for and not leaving the
3,077)
has been received well by Internet site as quickly.
Pages viewed per visit = 2.9. Users
new website were: better navigation, primarily using Internet Explorer
for through the better navigation
more graphics and photos, less
and smarter searches.
scrolling, and a smarter search. Chrome, 996 are using Safari, and
Statistics from April 15 - May 15:
pages for less than a minute,
a handful of other providers used
the average visit duration on
by the small percentage of the
See the site for yourself at:
cityofardenhills.org is two minutes,
remaining 93 viewers.
www.cityofardenhills.org
Of the 6,577 visitors, only 438
continued on next page
4
Notes from the Economic Development Commission
by Don Alstatt, Economic Development Commission
A
s longime Arden Hills residents As for the buildings in which our
likely know, our City has some very manufacturing, education, healthcare, and
unique and attractive features that other sectors operate, at last check there
keep people working and living here.
actively marketing space as available to
As a newer Commission member (2011), lease (according to a search through the
I just learned per a CNN Money article Minnesota Commercial Association of
estate market combined with a steady
titled Best Places to Live that, More people Realtors). When the commercial vacancy
employment base, Arden Hills has reaped
rate is low, you and I, fellow residents, see
this fact seemed hard to believe, I took
the time to check it out. Its somewhat
As the new TCAAP development plans
but when the City sees greater income
surface, our City (through a joint venture
than 10,000 people living within our 9.6 through commercial property, it supports
with Ramsey County) is undertaking a very
square miles of land, but over 12,600 a more vibrant community with better
people are employed here. We can thank parks, trail systems, or other City-funded
new businesses and residents. As Arden
our manufacturing sector which continues programs. According to our City Finance
Hills realizes this new growth, we should
to carry almost one-third of the Citys total Director, last year 39 percent of the Arden
look forward to an even more viable and
jobs. Hills tax base was generated through
competitive community for years to come.
commercial or industrial property.
With such a strong commercial real
continued from page 1
fund. Designated funds will be used
worked to research and implement a to the Foundation which then
as designated, and undesignated
donations will be used as the
donors designation. Gary Gerding,
Foundation determines, based on
secretary of the Improvement District,
its mission, fund balances, and
members contacts at the Rice Creek has enthusiastic praise for all parties
outstanding requests.
Watershed District, the Department
of Natural Resources, and the
If you or a group you know has a
How to contribute or propose a
project that seems appropriate for
project
Foundation acceptance or funding,
or if you wish to make a contribution,
501(c) (3), can accept funds from
designated or not, please contact the
helped develop a plan. At a regular anyone wishing to contribute to the
board meeting they learned that the betterment of the City. Anticipated
Foundation will be as useful as our
new Arden Hills Foundation would donations range from a single
support makes it. As in the case of
park bench to trees to any project
Karth Lake, the ongoing vision, drive,
through designated, tax-deductible within the scope of the Foundation
and hard work of individual citizens
contributions: the funds were donated mission that a donor may wish to
continued from previous page
ways that others can contribute to
accessed the website from a With the information provided, it is
the improvement of our community
mobile device, and of those, the clear that the improved navigation,
through the Foundation. Donations
iPad was the most popular device addition of graphics and photos, more
can be made to the Arden Hills
Foundation (not the City) and
next with 45 users.searches have made the new website
more user friendly.
Questions and suggestions may also be
forwarded to the Foundation through
visited include: Jobs, Community
.
City Hall
Development, Home page
including Development Projects
and TCAAP pages, Contact City
Hall, Civic Alerts, Public Works,
and Agenda Center.
5
ECR-WSS
PRST STD
U.S. Postage Paid
Twin Cities, MN
Permit #1962
Arden Hills, MN
55112-5734
.
I
I
Valentine Park to reopen
n
Postal Customer
Arden Hills Foundation launched
s
i
TIF guidelines updated
d
Guidelines for trash and recycling
e
Notes from the City Council
surface, a major landscaping project, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
T
T
he Arden Hills community is
T was
T
protective of its tree-lined
T
with property owners to survey the Langton Park, just across County
T
streets, lovely neighborhoods,
T
property and list the trees considered Road D from Arden Hills. To deal
and corporate campuses. Our City
with EAB infestation, when it reaches
Code has strong protection for trees:
decreased by ten percent, a mitigation Arden Hills, the City will monitor ash
A landscape ordinance to protect
trees and remove diseased trees on
and control trees in business and
are subject to preservation, but trees public property to allow for reforest-
multi-family developments,
such as buckthorn and cottonwood ation with other species of trees.
A tree preservation ordinance
are considered nuisance and are not
applicable to all districts in the City,
subject to the ordinance. Homeowners are responsible for
New guidelines in light of the
removing diseased trees in their
Emerald Ash Borer infestation in
yard, including the right-of-way. To
Ramsey County.
caliper inch of tree must be replaced try to prolong the life of the tree,
for every two caliper inches of tree home-owners can treat ash trees with
is
applicable to new development
the diameter of a tree measured 4.5
or redevelopment in business and
commercial districts, and to multi-
requires that replacement trees be until fall when the EAB is inactive.
family developments. A landscaping
healthy at the end of two growing
plan must be submitted for approval
seasons. When the number of You can assist in preserving the Arden
by the City Council with a minimum
required replacement trees exceeds Hills tree stock by calling City Hall if
number and a variety of deciduous
the number of trees that can be you suspect any clear-cutting activity.
and coniferous trees, based upon the
You can also enhance the City tree
size of the development. Trees are also
planting at locations to be determined stock by purchasing a tree for our
required along street frontage and on
by the City, or a fee in lieu of planting parks through the St. Paul/Ramsey
parking lot islands. Landscape plans
are available. County Friends of the Parks tree
also must include perennials and
sale, held every year from February
shrubberies.
If trees are removed in violation of the through April. You also can donate a
ordinance, replacement is required bench to our parks.
,
at a rate of 2:1 caliper inches. Keep
which is applicable to businesses and
in mind that with the invasion of
residences, is perhaps the provision
buckthorn in our City, when there
appears to be excessive vegetation loss,
for trees in the City. It comes into
it may actually be due to the removal
of buckthorn, which is not required to
constructed, an increase of ten
be replaced.
percent or more in building or hard