HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2019The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents June 2019
Ramsey County Sues City Over TCAAP RedevelopmentOn May 10, Ramsey County filed a
lawsuit against the City of Arden
Hills seeking to dissolve the Joint
Development Board and to terminate
the 2012 Joint Powers Agreement (JPA)
between the city and the county.
The JPA outlined the respective roles and
responsibilities of the city and county in
jointly redeveloping the Twin Cities Army
Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) site.
The response from city officials is as
follows:
“The city is disappointed that rather than
reengaging in direct negotiations with
the city that the county unilaterally ended
last year, the county has now chosen to
sue the city to terminate the 2012 Joint
Powers Agreement and dissolve the Joint
Development Board.”
“The county’s lawsuit also makes it clear
that the county no longer wishes to be
bound by the jointly drafted Master Plan
that the county previously twice approved,
most recently in 2016. The city remains
committed to pursuing the redevelopment
of the property as soon as possible.”
The city continues its efforts to attempt to
get the county to resume communication,
so that the TCAAP development is not
further delayed. In these regards, the city is
acting in good faith and fair dealing.
• The city continues to attend and
participate in scheduled JDA
meetings, although the county has not
attended a meeting since February 4
of this year.
• The city recently approved a contract
with Kimley-Horn to begin the update
process for the TCAAP/Rice Creek
Commons final Alternative Urban
Areawide Review (AUAR) and final
mitigation plan. On July 28, 2014,
the City Council adopted the Final
AUAR for the TCAAP project. Under
Minnesota Rules, an AUAR must be
updated every five years, regardless
of the activity on the site, until all
the development in the area has been
approved.
To review previous city newsletter articles
about the TCAAP redevelopment, visit
cityofardenhills.org/TCAAPnews.
Seven Ways to Save
Water Outdoors
Below are ways to save water
outdoors, while also saving on
your water utility bill.
1. Use buckets and tubs to
wash your car or the dog,
rather than continuously run-
ning a hose.
2. Water lawns and gardens
only when needed and only
during the early morning or
evening when evaporation is
lower.
3. Use a nozzle on your hose to
restrict flow. A garden hose
will dispense up to 600 gal-
lons in two hours.
4. Cut grass at a two-to-three-
inch height instead of crop-
ping it closely to reduce the
amount of water needed.
5. Sweep sidewalks and drive-
ways instead of watering
them down with a hose.
6. Re-use as much water as
possible. Consider getting a
rain barrel and using the col-
lected water for your plants
and yard.
7. Let children play in the hose
spray or sprinkler in a grassy
area instead of filling a wad-
ing pool. This will water the
lawn at the same time.
Arden Hills Service Directory
1245 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734
www.cityofardenhills.org
651-792-7800
Summer Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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 612-599-2457
fholmes@cityofardenhills.org
Dave McClung 651-332-0352
dmcclung@cityofardenhills.org
Steve Scott 651-604-0919
sscott@cityofardenhills.org
City Administrator
Dave Perrault 651-792-7824
dperrault@cityofardenhills.org
Communications Coordinator
Dawn Skelly 651-792-7817
dskelly@cityofardenhills.org
Communications Committee
Council Liaisons
Brenda Holden
Fran Holmes
Council meetings are held at City Hall
on the second and fourth Mondays of
the month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are
televised live on Cable Channel 16.
Meetings of the Planning Commission
are televised as well. Please visit cityo-
fardenhills.org for information about
archived meeting playbacks.
Arden Hills Notes is the official newslet-
ter of the City of Arden Hills, an equal-
opportunity employer.
City News
New Procedures and Reminders for Park Facility Rentals
Due to the popularity of the city's park picnic shelters and pavilions, the city has
developed new rental reservation procedures as follows:
1. To check availability for a park shelter or pavilion, you must submit an online or
in-person rental application.
2. Visit cityofardenhills.org/parkrental to complete an application, or stop by City
Hall.
3. Once your application is received, you will get an email reply within 48 hours
regarding availability, or an immediate reply if you come to City Hall.
4. If the facility is available, you will need to come to City Hall to make your
payment, if a payment is required. Once payment is made and you've received
confirmation of your payment, your rental date is reserved.
5. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you come into City Hall,
you can immediately verify availability and make a reservation and payment, if
payment is required.
Fees
The shelters are free of charge to residents, but they must be reserved. The non-resident
shelter fee is $30.
The fees to reserve and rent the Cummings Park or Perry Park pavilions are $95
for residents and $150 for non-residents. A $200 damage deposit is required. These
pavilions are available to rent for two time slots: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Both time slots may be reserved for a double charge.
To rent the pavilion at Tony Schmidt Regional Park near Lake Johanna Beach or the
park’s shelters, please contact Ramsey County. The Tony Schmidt Regional Park and
Lake Josephine Park facilities are maintained and rented through the county.
Park Field rentals are also available. City programs take precedence over resident field
rentals. To rent a field, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at
651-792-7845.
April 15, 2019
Item approved unanimously by 4-0 vote
(Holmes excused absence).
• Approved appointments of two Public
Works Maintenance Workers to fill
existing vacancies.
April 22, 2019
All items approved unanimously by 4-0
vote (Holmes excused absence).
• Adopted a Proclamation Recognizing
May 12-18, 2019 as National Police
Week 2019 in Arden Hills.
• Adopted a Proclamation Recognizing
May 19-25, 2019 as National Public
Works Week in Arden Hills.
• Approved a Site Plan Review on
the Bethel University campus for a
20,000- square-foot addition to the
Academic Commons Building to
support science academic programs
on the campus. Construction is
anticipated for summer 2019.
• Approved a professional services
agreement with TKDA to provide
construction administration
engineering services for the Highway
10 Watermain Replacement project.
• Appointed Dan Dietz and Timothy
Nelson to the Parks, Trails and
Recreation Committee (PTRC).
• Accepted a donation from the Arden
Hills Foundation for use at the Floral
Park Gardens. The donation was given
to the Arden Hills Foundation from
Graco Corporation and resident Dan
Dietz.
May 13, 2019
All items approved unanimously by 5-0
vote.
• Accepted the 2018 City of Arden Hills
financial report and audit results as
presented.
• Approved additional expenditures
requested by the Ramsey County
Sheriff for the 2019 budget year.
These expenditures are cost-shared
with the other Sheriff contract cities;
Arden Hills’ amounts are: body
camera implementation ($13,793),
replacement of outdated automatic
external defibrillators (AEDs) ($5,728)
and additional ballistic tactical shields
($3,381).
• Accepted a donation from the Arden
Hills Foundation for a new park bench
and plaque. The donation was given
to the Arden Hills Foundation from
Roberts Management Group (Roberts
Family Foundation).
• Approved a professional services
agreement with WSB for geotechnical
and design services for reconstruction
of the tennis and basketball courts at
Hazelnut Park and Royal Hills Park
and the resurfacing of the tennis and
basketball courts at Cummings Park.
• Approved a contract with Kimley-
Horn to begin the update process for
the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons
final AUAR and final mitigation plan.
On July 28, 2014, the City Council
adopted the Final AUAR for the
TCAAP project. Under Minnesota
Rules, an AUAR must be updated
every five years, regardless of the
activity on the site, until all the
development in the area has been
approved.
• Held a Public Hearing for a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment
and a Master and Final Planned Unit
Development for Mounds View High
School.
May 22, 2019
All items approved unanimously by 5-0
vote.
• Approved a Comprehensive Plan
Amendment and a Master and Final
Planned Unit Development for
Mounds View High School for a
76,300-square-foot addition to its
principal structure (27,300 square feet
of additional classroom space and a
49,000-square-foot new gymnasium).
The project, which also includes use of
the former bus facility directly north
of the high school for additional staff
and student parking, will require new
traffic safety improvements on Lake
Valentine Road. Additional changes
include drainage plans that direct
stormwater runoff to a stormwater
pond located north of Lake Valentine
Road and reconfiguration of athletic
fields located south of the principal
structure.
Both the creation of the stormwater
pond and the reconfigured athletic
fields will require on-site tree
replacement under the city’s tree
replacement ordinance. Construction
is anticipated to begin in May 2019
with completion expected in the fall
of 2020.
• Appointed Mike Mrosla, the current
City Planner, to the role of Community
Development Manager/City Planner
and authorized staff to post for an
Associate Planner Position.
For a complete and detailed listing of
recent City Council action, please review
the meeting minutes on the city website
at cityofardenhills.org and click on View
Agendas & Minutes.
Benchmarks: A Review of Recent City Council Action
Watch City Meetings
You can watch City Council and
Planning Commission meetings
online, either live or recorded.
Visit cityofardenhills.org/
watchmeetings
You can also watch city meetings on
Xfinity/Comcast Cable Channel 16.
They are aired live and then played
back multiple times.
Check the city website for meeting
dates, times and playback schedule.
Hot Dog with a Deputy will be Held July 10 at Perry Park
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
will host its popular “Hot Dog with a
Deputy” event in Arden Hills on July 10
at Perry Park, 3700 New Brighton Road,
from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring the family out to
the park for free hot dogs, chips, water,
freeze pops, equipment demonstrations
and conversations with deputies. Staff
and equipment at the event could include
Patrol Deputies, K-9, SWAT, Water Patrol,
Reserve Deputies, Mounted Unit and
Mobile Field Force.
Night to Unite Neighborhood Event Registration Opens
Night to Unite 2019 will take place on Tuesday, August 6. This annual statewide event
is designed to forge and strengthen bonds between citizens, businesses and public safety
organizations such as the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
Neighborhoods typically observe this event in various ways including front porch vigils,
block parties and cookouts with visits from members of the fire department, sheriff’s
office and elected officials. The events are coordinated through the Ramsey County
Sheriff’s Office.
To organize and register a Night to Unite event in your neighborhood, you can find ideas,
information and materials at ramseycounty.us, type in Night to Unite, or by calling
651-266-9333.
Street barricades are available for neighborhood events through City Hall. To request
barricades, please complete a miscellaneous permit application at
cityofardenhills.org/miscellaneouspermit. There is no fee for the permit.
Plans Take Shape for Summer Events in Arden Hills
Popular City Events to
be Held in July
The following events will be held
the last weekend of July from
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Perry Park,
3700 New Brighton Road:
Penny Carnival July 26
Gather up your change and come
celebrate the end of the 2019
Parks and Recreation Playground
programs at a Penny Carnival.
There will be fun carnival games,
face painting, a caricature artist and
more. The city’s annual stormwater
meeting will be held at the same
time in an educational booth
format. Cost is free.
Bark & Rec Day July 27
Join the Arden Hills Parks and
Recreation Department for the 5th
Annual Bark & Rec Day. Bring
your dog to the off-leash area and
make a fun craft your dog will
love to wear. Free refreshments
and snacks. Thank you to Roberts
Management Group for sponsoring
Bark & Rec Day. All ages and dogs
welcome. Cost is free.
Talk to a Master Gardener About Pesticides & Less Toxic Options
Pesticides are often the first options that come
to mind when trying to control the weeds and
insects that invade your yard or garden and
cause damage.
However, each situation requires a strategic
approach that addresses the problem while
protecting the health of your family, pets
and the environment — not to mention the
plants you are trying to save. Using the most
effective, least toxic option is ideal.
For free advice, contact a master gardener at 612-301-7590, or stop by the information
booth at the Arden Hills Yard Waste site, located off of New Brighton Road at 3530
Hudson Avenue. The booth will be staffed June 23, 3 to 5 p.m. and June 24, 5 to 7 p.m.
The Ramsey County Board of
Commissioners has approved a
special election for Ramsey County
Commissioner in District 1, following
the resignation of Commissioner
Blake Huffman.
District 1 represents the cities of
Arden Hills, Gem Lake, North Oaks,
Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White
Bear Township and parts of Mounds
View, Spring Lake Park and Blaine.
Schedule
All dates are in 2019.
June 4: Candidate filing period opens.
June 18: Filing period closes at 5 p.m.
June 20: Last day to withdraw ends at
5 p.m.
June 28: Early voting opens for
County Special Primary Election.
Aug. 13: County Special Primary
Election. Only needed if more than
two candidates file for the open seat.
Aug. 16: Canvass County Special
Primary Election results.
Sept. 20: Early voting opens for
County Special General Election.
Nov. 5: County Special General
Election.
Nov. 12: Canvass County Special
General Election results.
Nov. 19: Period to contest results
ends.
Assuming no contest, person elected
takes oath of office.
Candidates must file in-person at the
Ramsey County Elections Office ,
90 Plato Blvd. West, St. Paul. The
filing fee is $50. Candidates are
encouraged to contact the office with
any questions at 651-266-2171.
County Commissioner Special
Election Details Outlined
New Community Development Manager/City Planner
As the community
development manager/
city planner, I review
all residential and
commercial development
proposals and interpret
how they relate to
the various goals
and guidelines of the
community. On a
typical day, I meet with
developers, land owners
and residents regarding
land use and development
questions. I’m the staff
liaison to the Planning
Commission and
Economic Development Commission.
I hold a Master of Arts in urban planning and a Bachelor of Science degree in geography
and geographic information sciences from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Before I
came to the City of Arden Hills, I was employed at the City of Woodbury, where I worked
various planning roles ranging from code enforcement to economic development. I’m
happily married and the proud father of a three-month-old baby boy.
Mike Mrosla, Community Development Manager/City Planner
Annual City Budget and Capital Improvement Plan Cycle
The city's Budget and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) serve as the foundation for the
city's financial planning. City staff, the mayor, city council, residents, stakeholders
and anyone with an active interest in municipal budgeting all play an important role in
determining how your tax dollars are used.
The city follows an open, public process to review and adopt its annual budget and
welcomes citizen input.
Postal Customer
Inside
Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734
TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Update
New Park Facility Rental Procedures
New Community Development Manager
Summer Events in the City
ECR-WSS
PRST STD
U.S. Postage Paid
St. Paul, MN
Permit #1962
1. Please keep your garage doors
closed when working in the back
yard, or when going on that healthy
walk or bike around the block.
2. At the end of your day, double
check that your vehicle and garage
doors are closed and locked.
3. Remove garage door openers, keys,
cash and other valuables from your
vehicles. Keep other items hidden.
4. Turn on outdoor garage or house
lights and backyard lights. Summer is a prime time for thieves
looking for easy targets. Two targets
of opportunity include vehicles parked
outside and unlocked garages.
Drinking Water Report
The city’s 2018 Consumer Confidence
Report (also known as the Drinking
Water Report) is now available online at
cityofardenhills.org/drinkingwaterreport.
Four Ways to Protect Your Garage and Vehicle From Theft and
Crimes of Opportunity