HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary-February 2016The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents January/February 2016
by Tina Kulzer2016 tax levy unchanged from preliminary 3.5 percent rate set in September
At its December 14, 2015, meeting,
the City Council adopted a 2016
property tax levy of $3,478,775.
This sets the City’s property tax rate
increase for 2016 at 3.5 percent, which is
unchanged from the preliminary levy rate
set in September 2015.
Funding from the City’s share of regional
fiscal disparities has increased for 2016
and will contribute $264,113 toward the
levy total. The City’s tax capacity has also
increased, and taxes paid by City property
owners will account for the balance, or
$3,214,662.
The impact of a 3.5 percent levy – applied
to a net tax rate decrease resulting from the
increase in fiscal disparity dollars and in-
creases in assessed market values of homes
in Arden Hills – translates to a $36.03
(or 4.7 percent) decrease in annual taxes
paid by resident owners of median valued
homes (value ranging from $295,100 to
$300,300).
In Arden Hills, the entire tax levy goes
toward General Fund expenditures in
the City’s budget. The property tax levy
accounts for approximately 79 percent of
the General Fund revenues. Due to the
current economic environment, $160,326
in reserves was used to balance the 2016
budget. This is up from $58,305 in reserves
used to balance last year’s budget.
Revenues:
• General Fund revenues in the 2016 bud-
get are set at $4,510,291.
• The most notable revenue line item is the
levy amount, which will result in an addi-
tional $119,000 in revenue over last year.
• Police Aid (received as part of the
Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department
[RCSD] contract group) and Antenna
Revenues are estimated to increase.
Expenditures:
• General Fund expenditures for 2016 total
$4,670,617.
• Public Safety costs are set to increase by
7.85 percent for the Lake Johanna Fire
Department, 1.81 percent for the RCSD
contract, and 2.43 percent for 911 dis-
patch service. These costs alone represent
a $54,039 increase in the budget, or a 1.6
percent increase to the levy.
• Expenditures for City Hall maintenance
and an infrastructure/capital reserve fund
to address increasing repair costs for City
Hall are included this year.
• A General Fund expenditure increase of
$56,614 is related to wage adjustments
and health insurance increases for City
staff in the operating budget. (The effects
on the Salary & Benefits expenditures
resulting from union contract negotia-
tions that took place late last year are as
of yet unknown.)
Other rate increases:
2016 utility fees are increasing as well. The
water and sanitary sewer rates are increas-
ing by two percent, and the surface water
management rate is increasing by three
percent.
The overall budget for the City in 2016
was set at $11,102,350. The approved
budget and tax levy information can be
viewed in detail in the December 14, 2015
City Council agenda posted on the City’s
website.
2016 General Fund basics
Arden Hills Service Directory
1245 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
651-792-7800
www.cityofardenhills.org
Sheriff and Fire
911
Water and Sewer Problems
(During non-business hours)
651-767-0640
Mayor:
David Grant 651-538-0747
dgrant@cityofardenhills.org
Councilmembers:
Brenda Holden 651-636-2987
bholden@cityofardenhills.org
Fran Holmes 651-631-1866
fholmes@cityofardenhills.org
Dave McClung 651-332-0352
davemcclung@comcast.net
Jonathan Wicklund 651-278-8077
jwicklund@cityofardenhills.org
Acting City Administrator:
Sue Iverson 651-792-7816
siverson@cityofardenhills.org
Communications Committee
Editors/writers: Susan Cathey, Tina
Kulzer
Writer: Emma Theis
Council Liaison: David Grant
Staff Liaison: Amy Dietl
Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek
Council meetings are held at City Hall
on the second and last Monday of the
month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised
live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of
the Planning Commission are televised
as well. Visit www.cityofardenhills.org
for information about taped meeting
playbacks.
Arden Hills Notes is the official news-
letter of the City of Arden Hills, an
equal-opportunity employer.
2
City Park Profiles—a series
Crepeau Nature Preserve
1224 Harriet Avenue
by Tina Kulzer
In the most recent Community Parks and Trails Survey
conducted by the Parks, Trails and Recreation Com-
mittee (PTRC), 88.2 percent of resident survey respon-
dents stated that they participate in walking/running/
biking activities while utilizing Arden Hills parks. This
percentage is more than twice the second-highest rated
recreational activity (playground use, at 42.4 percent).
Furthermore, when asked to rank a list of eight park-
related initiatives in order of importance, residents
ranked trail connectivity and the development of more
trails as the top two in importance. Issues related to the
City’s trails rank high among residents in discussions
about the park system, as the City’s trails and natural spaces are often cited by residents
as reasons why they chose to live in Arden Hills.
Luckily, area walkers, runners, and trail enthusiasts alike can find a very unique recre-
ation experience at Crepeau Nature Preserve, the final park profile in our City park se-
ries. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood in southern Arden Hills, the trails
in this minimally developed and carefully preserved natural space traverse 12.5 heavily-
wooded acres and are accessible from the north at Benton Way (via Harriet Avenue) and
at Dellwood Avenue (by way of Tiller Lane).
The land that was developed into Crepeau Nature Preserve was acquired through two
dedications: 4.45 acres was acquired in 1975 through the Dreyfus dedication, and 9.16
acres were acquired in 1977 through the MSI
dedication. In addition, .12 acre was also ac-
quired in 1977 from Dreyfus for the Pine Tree
Drive trail easement.
Crepeau Nature Preserve was named as such to
differentiate this natural space and the passive
recreational opportunities it offers from other
City parks that possess more traditional park
amenities and satisfy more active recreational
pursuits. Birds and other wildlife abound, and
the unpaved trails are best enjoyed at a slow,
leisurely pace. It’s a beautiful spot for a walk in
all seasons of the year.
Developed primarily during the mid-1980s and
into the 90s –
with former
PTRC member Don Messerly at the helm of a large
majority of the preservation efforts – Crepeau Nature
Preserve is a hidden gem that is representative of the
kind of tranquil, undeveloped natural space that is
treasured by so many in Arden Hills.
Shown here
Top: Dellwood Avenue entrance
Center left: Benton Way entrance
Bottom right: Pine Tree Drive entrance
Benchmarks: a review of recent City Council action
3
November 30, 2015 (Holden excused)
• Approved ordinance 2015-011 in plan-
ning case 15-022 relating to accessory
antennas. (3-0)
• Approved ordinance 2015-010 in plan-
ning case 15-019 relating to window
transparency. (3-0)
• Approved the 2015 Pavement Man-
agement Program (PMP) pay estimate
number 6 and change order number 2 in
the amount of $913,336.11. (3-0)
• Approved the 2015 Sanitary Sewer Lin-
ing payment number 2 to Hydro Klean,
LLC in the amount of $383,277.89. (3-0)
• Approved the Round Lake Road Area
Improvement payment number 10 to
Meyer Contracting, Inc. in the amount of
$24,063.55. (3-0)
• Approved the application of Catholic
United Financial for an exempt permit to
conduct a raffle with the drawing being
held March 10, 2016, with no waiting
period. (3-0)
• Approved the appointment of Liz
Johnson to the Economic Development
Commission (EDC). (3-0)
• Approved a 2015 budget amendment
to move the cost for Arden Hills Notes
from the Mayor and Council budget in
the general fund to the Cable Fund. The
budget amendment was for $23,000 to
cover the annual printing, publishing, and
postage. The cost of Arden Hills No,tes
does not change, just the cost center that
funds its operations. (3-0)
• Approved the CenturyLink Cable
Franchise Agreement. This agreement
enables CenturyLink to provide video
service to homes in Arden Hills. (3-0)
• Approved the annual animal impound
services agreement with Hillcrest Animal
Hospital. (3-0)
December 14, 2015
• Cancelled the December 28, 2015 City
Council meeting due to lack of agenda
items. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016 City contribution for
employee benefits. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016 Fee Schedule and au-
thorized the publication of an ordinance
summary. (4-0)
• Approved 2016 Liquor Licenses. (4-0)
• Approved 2016 Tobacco Licenses. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016 Recycling Fee. (4-0)
• Approved a proposal from Bolton &
Menk in the amount of $44,500 for
design and engineering construction ser-
vices for the rehabilitation of Lift Station
11. (4-0)
• Approved change order number 1 and
payment number 6 to Park Construction,
Inc. in the amount of $40,018.41 for the
County Road E/Pine Tree Drive Im-
provements. (4-0)
• Approved a Master Partnership Agree-
ment with MnDOT. This agreement al-
lows the City to request MnDOT services
such as construction testing, engineering
design, and roadway maintenance. (4-0)
• Approved the regulatory sign replace-
ment in the amount of $10,413.34. This
project is required to meet the federally
mandated retroreflectivity of regulatory
street signs. (4-0)
• Approved the stormwater outfall inspec-
tions and pond assessment proposal from
Elfering & Associates Inc. in the amount
of $22,000. The City of Arden Hills has
a permit to discharge stormwater issued
by the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency. The permit is known as National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) and is issued to all Municipal
Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s)
in the state of Minnesota. This permit
requires the City of Arden Hills to com-
plete various tasks related to stormwater.
The proposal completes two required
tasks for 2015 and 2016, namely Outfall
inspections and Pond Assessment. (4-0)
• Approved publishing a summary of
ordinance of resolution 2015-011 relating
to an accessory antennas code update.
The approval of the ordinance was at the
11-30-15 meeting. (4-0)
• Approved publishing a summary of
ordinance of resolution 2015-010 relating
to a window transparency code update.
The approval of the ordinance was at the
11-30-15 meeting. (4-0)
• Approved publishing a summary of
ordinance 2015-008 relating to a Cable
Television Franchise for CenturyLink.
The approval of the ordinance was at the
11-30-15 meeting. (4-0)
• Approved the capital expenditures for
the Lake Johanna Fire Department in the
amount of $9,352.42, (4-0)
• Accepted resignation of EDC Chair
Steve Heikkila. (4-0)
• Approved the quarterly special assess-
ments for delinquent utilities. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016-2020 Capital Im-
provement Plan. (4-0)
• Approved the City 2016 Budget in the
amount of $11,102,350. (3-1 McClung)
• Approved the tax levy for taxes payable
in 2016 in the amount of $3,478,775, a
3.5% increase. (3-1 McClung)
• Approved ordinance 2015-009 in plan-
ning case 15-023 relating to Public Use
Dedication Ordinance and approved
publishing a summary of the ordinance.
(4-0)
• Approved a step and pay grade change
for the position of Associate Planner, and
changed the title to Senior Planner. (4-0)
January 11, 2016
• Approved the 2016 organizational as-
signments and the official service provid-
ers for the City of Arden Hills. (4-0)
• Approved resident Commission and
Committee Appointments. (4-0)
• Approved the hiring of Jolene Trauba as
Customer Support Representative. (4-0)
• Approved the Mounds View High School
Trail payment number 1 in the amount
of $513,577.62 to be paid through our
Municipal State Aid (MSA) fund. (4-0)
• Approved wording changes to the
Mounds View High School Trail Joint
Powers Agreement Amendment relating
to maintenance of the trail. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016 Northeast Youth and
Family Services contract. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016 City Contribution for
employee benefits. (4-0)
• Approved the appointment of Dan Erick-
son as Chair of the EDC. (4-0)
• Approved capital expenditures for the
Lake Johanna Fire Department in the
amount of $12,212. (4-0)
• Approved the 2016-2017 union contract
which covers Operations and Mainte-
nance employees. (4-0)
4
Business spotlight: Welsch’s Big Ten TavernWelsch’s Big Ten Tavern has
called Arden Hills home for
57 years. The family-owned
restaurant, bar, comedy club, and now
catering company, has been passed down
through five generations of Welsches since
1903. Owner Jack Welsch is getting ready
to pass the baton to his son James, who is
currently the head cook at the tavern and
manages the catering business.
The Big Ten was originally called
Welsch’s Supper Club and was located on
Rice Street and Maryland Avenue in St.
Paul until it moved to Arden Hills in 1959.
According to Jack, the Welsches have the
oldest family-owned liquor license in Min-
nesota. The tavern also has the first liquor
license issued in Arden Hills, and is the
first for-profit business in Minnesota
allowed to sell pull tabs. (The pull tabs at
the Big Ten benefit Roseville Hockey.)
The “Big Ten” in Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern
comes from the bar’s accessible location
right on the big highway number 10. The
landmark also serves as a meeting place
for American Legion Post 513. A 105
Howitzer (a piece of heavy military artil-
lery used in WWII) stands out front of the
Big Ten. It was dedicated to that Legion
post in 2007 in memory of their departed
members.
Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern is truly a stalwart
tavern, as their Google profile states, that
offers comfort grub and entertainment,
including comedy, karaoke and live music.
Its array of mouth-watering food includes
house-smoked prime rib. (Yes, it even have
its own smoker. Hence the giant pig statue
out front.) Also on the menu are all-you-
can-eat crab legs, burgers, pizza, soups,
salads, pasta, and more.
Additionally, Ric McCloud’s Comedy
Cabaret can be found in the basement of
the Big Ten. Comedy shows are every
Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. Tickets
are $20 and can be obtained by calling
651-633-7253.
Welsch’s Tavern is open every day-- Mon-
day through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and
Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
To find out even more about Welsch’s, visit
welschsbigten.com or to learn more about
Big Ten Catering, visit bigtencatering.com.
by Emma Theis
Two Arden Hills City staffers, Sue Iver-
son and Matthew Bachler, finished
2015 with significant accomplishments.
Sue Iverson, Director of
Finance and Administrative
Services and Acting City
Administrator, receiv-
ed the prestigious Thomas
J. Moran Award. This was
presented by the Minnesota
Government Finance Officers Association
for her “outstanding contributions and
services rendered to the improvement and
advancement of the quality of public fi-
nance administration.” Since the inception
of this award in 1980, Sue is only the 16th
recipient of this honor.
Matthew Bachler, Senior Planner for
the City, passed the American Institute of
Certified Planners (AICP) exam, a rigorous
assessment of a plan-
ner’s abilities, and was
awarded AICP certifica-
tion in November, 2015.
AICP provides the only
nationwide independent
verification of a plan-
ner’s qualifications. In
addition to the exam, candidates complete
criteria for education and experience and
write essays demonstrating a comprehen-
sive approach to planning. Those certified
“commit to upholding high standards of
practice and ethics and to keeping their
skills up to date by continuously pursuing
advanced professional education.”
City staffers honored
by Susan Cathey
This spring, the center median on High-
way 10 in front of Welsch’s Big Ten
Tavern is being closed permanently as part
of a MnDOT safety project, according to
Mark Lindeberg, a north area engineer for
MnDOT. This means that traffic coming
north on Highway 10 will no longer be
able to make a left turn into the tavern and
the neighborhoods behind.
The frontage road adjacent to the tavern
(which also serves as the entrance to Big
Ten) will still be accessible as a right-in-
right-out from Highway10 southbound.
Northbound travelers will have to bypass
the tavern and make a U-turn at The Mer-
maid in Mounds View or navigate through
the neighborhood entrance off Highway 96.
“They’re gonna cut off at least 50 percent
of my business,” said owner Jack Welsch.
If that happens, Welsch said he would
most likely have to leave Arden Hills. The
median closure would also cut off Big Ten
from the Rice Creek Commons develop-
ment going in across Highway 10 at the old
TCAAP site. The development will bring
approximately 3,000 more residents to
Arden Hills and business for Welsch.
Welsch said he plans to unite with the
neighborhood and petition for a stoplight
at his entrance onto Highway 10. Unfortu-
nately, that outcome is unlikely for the non-
stop double lane throughway, which will
presumably have a third lane added from
I-35W to Highway 96 in the near future,
according to Lindeberg.
To find about more about the upcoming
MnDOT projects on Highway 10, visit
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/cur-
rent.html.
Planned Highway 10 changes could impact Welsch’s Big Ten
5
Improvements planned for I-35W North
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, paper, plastics, and organics are
the top three components of our garbage in Minnesota. Reducing and recycling means
less waste in landfills and more resources to make new products. To learn more, visit
RamseyRecycles.com or call 651-633-3297. Calls answered 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.
The Minnesota Department of Trans-
portation (MnDOT) is currently
studying I-35W for the addition of
MnPASS Express Lanes between High-
way 36 and Lexington Avenue, in order to
address capacity and mobility needs in the
corridor. MnDOT is working to develop an
overall design for I-35W that:
• Improves safety on the highway
• Increases the number of people that move
along the highway during peak hours
• Provides reliable travel times for com-
muters during peak drive times
• Optimizes and reuses existing roads
and bridges (without needing to acquire
homes and properties)
With 53,000 to 127,000 vehicles (and
increasing) using I-35W between Ros-
eville and Blaine each day, travel time is
becoming more unreliable for peak period
travelers. There is enough room in the
middle of the existing road to add one lane
in each direction, and MnDOT is analyzing
the addition of MnPASS Express Lanes to
provide a long-term benefit to the corridor.
What are MnPASS Express Lanes?
MnPASS Express Lanes provide a conges-
tion-free travel option during peak drive
times, improve efficiency by moving more
people through a corridor, provide better
travel time reliability, and enhance transit
usage, service, and reliability. MnPASS
Express Lanes are always free for transit
users, carpoolers (HOV 2+) and motorcy-
cles. During peak drive times, (weekdays
6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), mo-
torists driving alone can choose to use the
MnPASS lanes for a fee. Outside of peak
drive times, the MnPASS lanes are free for
everyone to use. Fees vary between $0.25
and $8, increasing when there is more
congestion in the MnPASS lane. The fees
keep traffic in the MnPASS lane moving at
50 to 55 mph.
What’s next?
The preliminary engineering and environ-
mental review will be completed by mid-
to-late 2016. This work includes analyzing
the need for spot improvements along the
corridor and the need for noise walls along
the freeway. Funding for a construction
project is not yet identified. If funding
becomes available, construction could start
as early as 2018.
Get involved
The best way to stay updated is to
visit mndot.gov/metro/projects/
i35wroseville/, where you can
learn more and sign up for project
email updates. Keep an eye out
for public meeting announce-
ments in 2016, when MnDOT will
be presenting information about
proposed noise walls and the Envi-
ronmental Assessment. Questions about the
project or requests for additional informa-
tion can be directed to Jerome Adams, at
651-234-7611 or Jerome.adams@state.
mn.us.
Plastic shopping bags are one of the hardest materials for recycling facilities to
handle as they tangle in machinery, clogging machines and stopping the recycling
process for hours at a time. Fortunately, plastic bags can easily be recycled at
drop-off locations. Plastic bags are accepted at various retailers including Lund’s/Byer-
ly’s, Cub Foods and Target as long as they are clean and dry. Find additional retailers
through the Recycling Association of Minnesota’s It’s in the Bag program. Plastic bags
in residential recycling bins or carts are no longer permitted.
You can reuse plastic bags as garbage bags or to pick up pet waste. To limit the amount
of plastic bags you end up with, use reusable shopping bags and avoid products with
excessive plastic wrapping.
About those plastic shopping bags
from Rethink Recycling
Fix-It Clinics scheduled
Get household items fixed for free and learn valuable repair skills at an upcoming Fix-It
Clinic!
• Saturday, February 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shoreview Library, 4570 Vic-
toria Street North, Shoreview
• Saturday, March 26, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Merriam Park Library, 1831 Mar-
shall Avenue St. Paul
Reduce and recycle: A resolution you can keep
Free small business workshops begin March 17
The City of Arden Hills is collaborating with the cities of Vadnais Heights and Shorev-
iew to hold a series of small business workshops. The first one will be held on Thurs-
day, March 17, 2016, at the Vadnais Heights Fairfield Inn. The topic is Content Market-
ing – how it has put the consumer in control of the buying process and what that means
for your marketing. The workshop will show how to plan, create, and promote content
that delivers a return.
Networking begins at 7:30 a.m., and the workshop and interactive panel session are
scheduled from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.. This event is free to Arden Hills businesses.
by Bobbi Dahlke, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Postal Customer
ECR-WSS
PRST STD
U.S. Postage Paid
St. Paul, MN
Permit #1962
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Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734
2016 tax levy set
Staffers honored
Welsch’s Big Ten Tavern
I-35W changes studied
News from the City CouncilIn the January/February Arden Hills
Notes for 2016, we look back to the
notable events of 2015 and ahead to the
future.
Rice Creek Commons (also known as the
Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant/
TCAAP) The most exciting project in the
City is the progress we are seeing at Rice
Creek Commons. The City Council ap-
proved the TCAAP Redevelopment Code
and Master Plan, laying the groundwork
for the redevelopment of the 427-acre Rice
Creek Commons into a vibrant mixed-use
community. Environmental clean-up of the
site is concluded, and the next step is for
the road infrastructure in 2017. Redevel-
opment is planned for the next ten years.
City Staff and City volunteer groups, most
notably the Planning Commission and the
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee,
have been intently focused on this project
for the last several years.
New Developments in Arden Hills
• Red Fox Business Center – Two light
industrial buildings will open for busi-
ness in early 2016 on Red Fox Road for
a combination of office, light industrial,
manufacturing, and commercial uses.
• Johanna Shores Brownstones – Two
brownstone-style buildings with forty in-
dependent senior units are in the process
of being built for the Presbyterian Homes
redevelopment at County Road D and
Lake Johanna Blvd.
• Valentine Bluff – Seven single-family
custom homes are planned for this new
development on County Road E2 at the
site of the former Arden Hills Library.
• Goodwill Industries– Located on the
corner of Lexington Avenue and County
Road E, half of the building is devoted
to a Goodwill retail store; the remainder
will be divided into employee offices, a
donation processing area, and a drive-
thru donation center.
• The Tavern Grill – Preliminary work
has begun for this sit-down restaurant
that will include an attached outdoor
patio for seasonal seating. It is located in
the Arden Plaza Retail Center (south of
Walgreens).
• Frattallone’s Corporate Headquarters
– Frattallone’s Ace Hardware purchased
the former Carroll’s Furniture site on
County Road E, and is using the building
for corporate offices and storage for off-
season merchandise.
• New Businesses – A number of new
businesses have opened in existing Arden
Hills buildings, and we welcome them.
Road Construction
• County Road E – This project rebuilt
the bridge over Highway 51 and now
provides a pedestrian walkway over the
bridge, with improved sidewalks and
paving, new decorative streetlights and
shade trees along County Road E, and
double turn lanes at Lexington Avenue.
• Highway 96 – The bridge over I-35W
was rebuilt using the double diverging
diamond interchange where lanes cross
over at each end of the bridge elimi-
nating left-hand turns across opposing
traffic. Pedestrians cross and walk in the
middle of the bridge with protective bar-
riers on either side.
• Lake Valentine Road – This project
rebuilt the bridge over I-35W and added
a trail from Mounds View High School
over the bridge, which connects with the
New Brighton trail.
In Other Accomplishments, the City:
• Added a video tour to its website. Please
take the time to view it.
• Went to single sort recycling, including
the distribution of the well-received roller
bins for the convenience of residents.
• Implemented a Business Retention
and Expansion Program for which the
City was awarded the Leaders in Local
Government Award by the St. Paul Area
Chamber of Commerce.
• Received three Government Finance Of-
ficers Association Awards.
• Held our first Bark and Rec Day, to
highlight the popular off-leash dog park
at Hazelnut Park.
To Conclude...The City extended its
sincere sympathy to the family of Coun-
cil Member Robert Woodburn, who died
while in office in October, 2015. The City
said good-bye to City Administrator Pat
Klaers and Public Works Director Terry
Maurer; both retired in October, 2015. The
City Council thanks everyone who makes
our City work: residents and businesses
who serve on our City Committees, those
who provide input, and our City Staff.
Warmest regards,
Fran Holmes
Arden Hills City Council