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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 2014City Council rejects franchise fee proposal to fund parks, trails, and road maintenance and improvements by Kristine Goodrich rden Hills property owners won’t includes reconstruction of West Round ible for their payers as are property taxes. includes reconstruction of West Round see new City fees on their electric Franchise fees also are considered “regres - and gas bills. After several months Valentine Hills neighborhood next year sive” because every property type pays Valentine Hills neighborhood next year and participation in state bridge projects in the same amount, regardless of property of discussions and two public hearings, and participation in state bridge projects in 2015, 2016, and 2017. There are no road value. the Council unanimously opted in Febru2015, 2016, and 2017. There are no road - projects planned between 2018 and 2022. ary not to move forward with exploring projects planned between 2018 and 2022. Public makes its voice heard News that reconstruction of Old Snelling franchise fees. Council members said their News that reconstruction of Old Snelling Avenue isn’t planned until 2025 drew conAt two public hearings in February, com Avenue isn’t planned until 2025 drew con -- cern from several public hearing speakers. munity members heard presentations public majority opposed the idea. cern from several public hearing speakers. about the franchise fee proposal and were City leaders had considered franchise The City’s Capital Improvement Plan invited to share opinions. More than 30 The City’s Capital Improvement Plan fees as a potential new, broader revenue proposes using money from the Permanent people spoke and many more attended the proposes using money from the Permanent source to support parks, trails, and road Improvement Revolving Fund for park public hearings. A few speakers, includ Improvement Revolving Fund for park - maintenance and improvements. The ing several members of the Parks, Trails, City looked at adding monthly fees on all years, including a trial dog park area in and Recreation Committee, supported the years, including a trial dog park area in property owners’ electric and gas bills. For the Hazelnut Park ice rink, and parking franchise fees as a dedicated source for the Hazelnut Park ice rink, and parking residents, the proposed fees totaled $4.75. lot and drainage improvements at Freeparks and trails improvements. Most of lot and drainage improvements at Free - The fees would have varied for other way Park. No new trails are included in the speakers opposed the fees for a variety way Park. No new trails are included in properties. The fees would have generated of reasons. Some speakers didn’t believe approximately $439,000 annually for the additional capital project spending was City. of new trails as high priority and has an essential. Other speakers preferred the of new trails as high priority and has an additional 16 miles of new trails on its City continue to utilize its tax levy author additional 16 miles of new trails on its - City’s reasons for considering fee wish list. ity rather than create a new fee. Council The franchise fees proposal was prompted members noted they also received feed - Pros and cons weighed by Council members’ concern the City back via emails and other media, predomi - The advantages and disadvantages of nantly in opposition to the proposal. The advantages and disadvantages of - complish priority street, park and trail assessing franchise fees instead of raising assessing franchise fees instead of raising projects in a timely manner. The City has the property tax levy were considered. Council members thanked community the property tax levy were considered. used reserve funds to help pay for recent Franchise fees would have been assessed members for sharing their opinions. While Franchise fees would have been assessed projects. The Park Dedication Fund has to all properties — including tax exempt some Council members acknowledged to all properties — including tax exempt properties, which account for 43 percent properties, which account for 43 percent dedication revenues are expected in the of the City’s market value. For most or drawbacks, all of the the Council mem of the City’s market value. For most - near future. The Permanent Improvement homeowners, the franchise fees would bers said they don’t support homeowners, the franchise fees would Revolving Fund has a sizable reserve that have cost less than if the City increased further consideration of the have cost less than if the City increased allows the City not to have to take out property taxes by a comparable amount. fees at this time because pub property taxes by a comparable amount. - loans for major road projects. The franchise fees would also have been lic reaction to the proposal The franchise fees would also have been a stable revenue source, not impacted by wasn’t favorable. a stable revenue source, not impacted by The City’s road improvement plan, based on current expected funding levels, hand, franchise fees are not tax deduct hand, franchise fees are not tax deduct - Spring Cleanup Day is May 17. See page 5 for details. News from Around the Town: Arden Hills Service Directory PTRC assesses results of parks and trails survey 1245 West Highway 96 By Susan Cathey and Nancy O’Malley Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 T he Arden Hills Park, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) con volunteer residents, a City Council liaison, and a staff liaison - ment includes the phrase: “represents the interests of Arden Hil 8:00 a.m.--4:30 p.m. - ing the continuing development, expansion, and improvement of (n 651-792-7800 Rather than guess at what Arden Hills citizens want, the PTRC asked them. Last summer the committee did a community parks and trails survey. A notice regarding the survey was sent to 911 all residents in their water bills, directing them to an online survey or to call for a hard copy which 651-767-0640 could be returned by mail. Eighty-six people responded and wrote 281 comments. 651-481-7024 The survey consisted of 15 questions. When asked to rate importance of possible initiatives, the two highes 651-767-9640 listed were: 1) connect existing trails to trails in surrounding develop more trails. Most respondents rated our parks and trails David Grant 651-538-0747 majority of respondents felt that our facilities and amenities a were many and varied suggestions written in, such as amenities t parks and a desire for more and/or newer playground equipment. Two repeating themes in the responses were safety and connectivi for safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. The comments regardin - ing safer routes for kids to get to schools, parks, the YMCA, an The PTRC has compiled and reviews annually a list of wanted trai - vey results support the PTRC’s recommendations to the City Counc trail segments should be a high priority for safety reasons. Cit spots over and over again as being unsafe. Cited multiple times between Lake Valentine Road and Lindey’s, the County Road E brid Avenue, Lake Valentine Road between New Brighton and Old Highway Brighton Road, especially under the railroad overpass. Cathey there was trash dumped. The Parks and Recreation Department acte quickly. Residents wrote of wanting better handicapped access i Department had already begun that process by removing the gates leading into Floral, Hazelnut, Cummings, and Sampson Parks and c Council meetings are held at City Hall accessible entries. on the second and last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised The PTRC plans to continue to use these results as a guide in live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of deciding priorities. The Committee feels it is important for the Planning Commission are televised the citizens of Arden Hills, who support and use the parks and trails, to have input on what they would like to see. the month. Read the survey results on the City website. Most comments Visit www.cityofardenhills.org for were positive and showed the passion citizens have for information about taped meeting nature, parks, trails and how to best use them. If you have playbacks. ideas or opinions, contact a City Council member or a PTRC member. - letter of the City of Arden Hills, an equal-opportunity employer. 2 Benchmarks: a review of recent City Council action February 24, 2014 Approved Planning Case 14-006 — a amendment and conditional use  sign standard adjustment for properpermit at 1209 County Road E -  ties in the Red Fox/Grey Fox Busi(3-2 McClung, Werner opposed) - 2013 Pavement Management Pro - ness District that are managed by gram (5-0)  Transwestern (5-0) denial of the application of St. Paul Approved purchase of a used snow  Denied Planning Case 14-008 — a - Ramsey County Public Health De  - plow truck from Ramsey County conditional use permit to establish partment for a conditional use permit (5-0) an organics (food waste and non-to establish an organics recycling recyclable paper) recycling site at the (food waste) facility at the Ramsey Approved a one -day gambling permit  Ramsey County Arden Hills compost County compost site (5-0) for Merrick, Inc. (5-0) site (5-0 denial) Approved Planning Case 14-010 — a Denied Planning Case 14-004, — a   planned unit development amend March 10, 2014 zoning code amendment needed to es - - ment for Lexington Station regarding tablish an ambulance dispatch facility Approved Resolution 2014-015 exterior glass transparency require  at 1209 County Road E (near Carols - appointing Jennifer Stephens to the ments (5-0) Furniture) (3-2 McClung, Werner Parks, Trails, and Recreation Com opposed to denial) - Approved Planning Case 13-019 — mission (5-0) an accessory building site plan review Denied Planning Case 14-005 — a  Approved Planning Case 14-011 — for Gradient Financial (5-0)  conditional use permit for Allina Health to establish an ambulance dispatch facility at 1209 County Road  E (3-2 McClung, Werner opposed to denial of the application of Al - denial) lina Health EMS for a zoning code City Council denies request to allow food compost at Arden Hill C iting odor, litter, and other concerns, removed from the Arden Hills site at least when the site is closed. An increase in traf when the site is closed. An increase in traf- when the site is closed. An increase in traf the City Council weekly and taken to an organics process - denied a request to al ing facility. - low food compost col For more information about organics recy - - lection at the Ramsey While the bags and bin are designed to cling at the other County sites, go to County yard waste prevent odor and wildlife access, Council www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/rt/organics_re - collection site in Arden members and some neighbors worried cycling.htm. Hills. The St. Paul- about spills and about illegal dumping Ramsey County Public Health Department applied for a conditional use permit to add collection of “source separated organics” (all types of food as well as non-recyclable Here’s a chance for you to volunteer! paper) on its 1.5-acre site on the west side Tony Schmidt Regional Park, at the end of Hudson Avenue off of New Brighton he City currently needs an alternate to serve on the Planning Co T Road. as writers to serve on the Communications Committee. Find applic more on the City website, or call City Hall. The County has a goal to add sourced separated organics collection at all its yard waste sites. Residents must bring the organics in a compostable bag (available organics in a compostable bag (available for free at waste sites) and place it in a metal bin. Collection sites with organ - ics composting will be open year-round, with weekends-only hours in the winter. The organic material would have been 3 Making energy improvements? Financial help may be available T Maximum household income is: he Energy Conservation Deferred  $45,100 for one person, $51,500 for Loan provides up to $6,500 in two people, $58,000 for three people, - $64,400 for four people, $69,600 for tial energy improvements, including new furnaces, boilers, and insulation. The inter - est-free loans are forgiven if you remain in For more information go to your home for at least 10 years. They are www.thenec.org or contact LeAnne at available to residents in suburban Ramsey 651-789-5706 or leannek@thenec.org. County who meet the following criteria: Your home was built before 1993.  This program is supported by Ramsey The market value of your home is less  County in partnership with the Neigh than $251,750. - borhood Energy Connection, a 29-year Your household assets are under  $50,000, excluding the value of your conservation information, services and home, autos, and retirement fund. programs. Pam Sweeney is Employee of the Year Enjoy your City parks! by Lois Rem P ith the long winter behind us, it’s W am Sweeney, Customer Service time to get out and enjoy the great Representative, is the 2014 City parks in Arden Hills. Before you go, here of Arden Hills Employee of the are a few reminders: Year. The award is for exceptional perfor - Parks open 30 minutes before  sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset. It should be no surprise to anyone who The following is prohibited: to has ever contacted City Hall that Pam  - bacco, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, golf playing and motor residents encounter, in person or by phone. - ized vehicles on turf or trails. She is always cheerful and professional– Dogs must be on a leash, and own and can help you get an answer for just  - ers must clean up after pets. about everything. You may bring your own grill (no  interactions “energizing.” grills provided). Hot charcoal must Pam has been employed by the City since be properly disposed of. 1999. Her job title has changed over the When asked for advice about contacting years, and her duties have shifted and City Hall staff, she notes that people “will expanded, but she has always been the get much better results for their questions Arden Hills has 14 City Parks. They are: Arden Hills has 14 City Parks. They are: possible about details. Many calls need to Arden Manor Park She handles quite a few daily responsibili  - be routed to other departments, and this Arden Oaks Park ties for the Finance Department (receiving  happens more quickly if she can identify Crepeau Nature Preserve cash receipts, permit and license fees of  the particular issue. However, she says, Cummings Park all kinds, utility bills) and works closely  “Please remember that I can give you Floral Park with the Park and Recreation programs  someone’s voice mail, but I cannot make Freeway Park  them return your call.” There are limits to Hazelnut Park class guides. She helps coordinate Public  even Pam’s capabilities. Ingerson Park Works’ on-call needs with those of other  Johanna Marsh Park cities. She is in charge of supplies and  In her free time, Pam spends time with Lindey’s equipment maintenance at City Hall,  more people — her family and friends. Perry Park and she is a Notary Public. As she says,  Her two children and eight grandchildren Royal Hills Park “If something comes up, I deal with it  live nearby, and with all their activities she Sampson Park  is never without entertainment. She also Valentine Park problem.” Not surprising for anyone who  enjoys frequent travel. Whether at home, has met her, Pam’s favorite part of the job out and about, or at work, “I thrive on my is working with people. She loves getting people contact,” she says. www.cityofardenhills.org/ to know people, watching kids grow up 4 City to assist residents in paying for emerald ash borer treatme E merald ash borer (EAB) has Everything you wanted to know about emerald ash borer... been found in Arden Hills. Resi - dents with ash trees are highly recommended to consider treatment and/or Visit the DNR website at www.dnr.state. removal and replacement. mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/eab/ Acording to the Department of Natural index.html for more information and links Resources website, emerald ash borer The City will work with the Department of to the following resources: (EAB) is a non-native invasive insect Agriculture to identify EAB. It is the only that destroys ash trees in large numbers. - Identifying true ash trees (mountain A quarantine has been placed on several  tion. ash and prickly ash are not true ash counties, including Ramsey County, to trees and are not affected by EAB). help slow the spread of EAB. This means In November 2013, the City contracted Recognizing the signs of an EAB-in it is against the law to move the following  with Precision Landscape and Tree to - fested tree: heavy woodpecker activ items out of EAB-quarantined counties: perform tree removal services for the City - ity on tree, dying branches in the top in 2014. As part of the agreement, Preci - canopy, sprouts around the tree base, Firewood from hardwood trees (it is sion will also provide emerald ash borer  vertical cracks in the bark, S-shaped considered best practice not to trans treatment. The City Council and staff then - tunnels under the bark, and 1/8-inch negotiated the contract so that the contrac - D-shaped exit holes in the bark. Entire ash trees tor will offer a reduced rate to do treat  - Ash limbs and branches ments for residents during 2014.  If you think a tree is infested with EAB, Ash logs or untreated ash lumber with  complete the steps outlined in the S tep bark attached The City has negotiated the price for Through Guide and refer to the Signs and Uncomposted ash chips and uncom EAB chemical treatment on private trees,  - Symptoms of EAB in Ash Trees slide show posted ash bark chips greater than one exclusively for Arden Hills residents: $7 for more examples, including recognizing inch in two dimensions. for trees between 12”-24” in diameter and insect galleries in ash trees in Minnesota. $9 for trees greater than 24” in diameter. EAB has already “killed mil Contact Precision at 651-484-2726 to - If your ash tree is showing other signs, lions of ash trees in North set up a consultation. visit the What’s wrong with my ash tree? America. It will have a online diagnostic tool to help identify huge effect on Minneso There are other contractors in the - problems caused by insects, diseases, and ta’s landscape and the 998 market as well. The City cannot nonliving factors. million ash trees that grow in recommend any one tree vendor, for our cities and forests, ” according to liability reasons. To report a possible EAB infestation, con the DNR website. Minnesota forests have - tact the Arrest the Pest Hotline at arrest. more ash trees (black, green, and white) the.pest@state.mn.us or 888-545-6684. than any other state, and urban areas You should also contact City Hall at 651- contain up to 15 percent ash trees in their 792-7848. neighborhoods and parks. Cleanup Day! May 17 Consider insecticide treatments only when Everyone should learn to identify ash trees your property is within 15 miles of an and the symptoms of EAB so that any he annual Arden Hills spring T EAB infestation– which is true in Arden infestation on public or private land can cleanup day is Saturday, May 17, Hills, since EAB has been found in Samp promptly be reported to the proper authori from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ramsey - - son Park and the University of Northwest ties. Although this extremely cold winter County Public Works Facility at 1425 - may have dealt the invader a setback, it is ern campus. Paul Kirkwold Drive (off of Highway too early to tell how much it may be af 96 and Hamline Avenue). too early to tell how much it may be aftoo early to tell how much it may be af- fected. So as spring sets in, be prepared to Minnesota. look for signs of EAB. Residents can bring unwanted house - hold items for disposal or to donate to the Salvation Army. Check the City website for more information. The fall cleanup day is scheduled for October 4. 5 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid St. Paul, MN Permit #1962 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 . I Franchise fee proposal rejected n Postal Customer PTRC park survey outlined s i Pam Sweeney is Employee of the Year d About those emerald ash borers e Notes from the City Council A bit of Arden Hills found in the UK T he time was 1939-1945 and Eng much to his surprise, he found copious should have a time capsule as part of the - land was in the process of develop numbers of documents on TCAAP’s hisTCAAP redevelopment? - - tory and the City/County redevelopment efforts. bombers used in World War II. Having Highway 96 will be taken down in a few The land where the B17 came to rest is months. A gathering is being planned to the planes so they could not be attacked being made into a war memorial called celebrate the removal of the last building. “Thanksgiving Field”, dedicated to comRegards, - remain in use today. The remains of these memorating individuals, units, actions, planned June 6, 2014, the anniversary of D Day. The memorial will seek to honor David Grant On October 14, 1943, out of fuel and those who helped hope to grow when the Mayor of Arden Hills badly damaged during the second bomb war was over. One of the dedications - ing attack over Schweinfurt, Germany, the Arden Hills Foundation reads, “To those, like the citizens who Boeing B17 3351Z of the 407th Squadron have worked to see the former Twin Cities presents two seminars of American 92nd Bomb Group limped cartridge factory in Minnesota restored he Arden Hills Foun T back to England. Seeing the tiny Wink - - dation is offering two of local communities.” Another dedica - free seminars this spring: came in to land, pancaked and burned up. tion reads to: “Those forgiving people The crew of 10 escaped safely before the – like the citizens of Schweinfurt and the Tues blaze. US troops garrisoned there – who together - — day, April 29, from 7-8:30 built reconciliation and harmony.” at 377 Lexington Av The next day the USAF (United States Air p.m. - enue, across from Target. Julie Gronquist Force) quickly salvaged the main parts of TCAAP produced over eight billion will inspire with exercise and suggestions the B17 and leveled off the ground on the rounds of ammunition over several de - for heathier living. cades. The memorial will feature a time years, the event became buried with the capsule and in the capsule will be one of —Tuesday, passage of time. Until October 20, 2013, the four TCAAP used shell casings. Per - May 13, from 7-8:30 p.m. at City Hall almost 70 years to the day later, when four haps other artifacts from TCAAP can be featuring Randy Sayers. used shell casings were discovered. included in the time capsule too. Learn more about the Arden Hills Founda The shells were clearly marked as being The City of Arden Hills is interested in - tion. Contact President Fran Holmes at preserving the long history of the TCAAP an Internet search to learn more. When site. If you have items or stories about - tion on Facebook or LinkedIn. the researcher looked up Arden Hills, TCAAP, please call the City. Perhaps we