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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 2019The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents October 2019 New Audio and Video Equipment Provides Clearer Picture and Sound for City Meeting Watchers The City Council authorized funds for an audio and video equipment upgrade. Residents who watch city meetings via cable television or online streaming will notice a clearer video picture and higher-quality audio, thanks to CTV North Suburbs, which recently completed the equipment upgrade in the Council chambers. Most noticeable is the replacement of standard analog cameras with high-definition cameras for a clearer screen display. In addition, larger monitors inside the chambers make it easier to display and reference presentations throughout meetings. Council and staff are able to share documents, photos and other relevant materials directly and wirelessly to the monitors from their phones and laptops, thereby eliminating the need for cords or flash drives. CTV staff also streamlined the behind-the-scenes production of city meetings by replacing the bulky audio board with a computerized system. The City of Arden Hills follows several other cities that have upgraded their audio equipment. Tune In Tune in to Arden Hills Government Access Channel 16 to watch City Council, Joint Development Authority (JDA) and Planning Commission meetings. City meeting times are as follows: • City Council meetings generally are held the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m. • Planning Commission meetings generally are held the first Wednesday after the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. • JDA meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. The playback schedule for city meetings is as follows: • Monday - Friday, 3:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. • Saturday - Sunday, 7:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Live and Recorded Streaming The City of Arden Hills also streams both live and archived City Council, Planning Commission and JDA meetings online. The video streams are hosted at CTV15.org. Recent statistics for June-August show an average of 284 monthly online viewers of city meetings. CTV staff work to replace outdated equipoment in the Council Chambers Arden Hills Service Directory 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 www.cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.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 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. Visit cityofardenhills.org for information about archived meeting playbacks. Arden Hills Notes is the official newsletter of the City of Arden Hills, an equal-opportunity employer. City News Updates TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Status In regards to Ramsey County’s lawsuit against the city over Rice Creek Commons, the city continues to follow the ongoing court- directed process. Tobacco Ordinance Complaint A local tobacco retailer brought a complaint against the City of Arden Hills concerning the ordinance regulating flavored tobacco products. The city is consulting with its attorneys. Public Inquiry Process The City Council’s Public Inquiry agenda section at the beginning of its regular City Council meetings allows residents and concerned citizens the opportunity to raise issues publicly to the Council. The City Council welcomes inquiries; however, on the advice of the city’s attorneys, inquiries related to ongoing litigation will not be addressed during the public inquiry section of the agenda. Reminder: Fall Cleanup Day is Saturday, October 12 The annual Fall Cleanup Day will be held Saturday, October 12 at the Ramsey County Public Works Facility from 7:00 a.m. to Noon, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive (Hamline Avenue and Highway 96). Arden Hills and Shoreview residents (I.D. required) are able to drop off refuse and electronics for a fee. Visit cityofardenhills.org/cleanupday for more information. ‘Spooktacular’ Activities for the Fall Season The City of Arden Hills will hold a Monster Mash on Saturday, October 26, 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Community Room. Cost is $10 per person (child or adult). Visit cityofardenhills.org/recregistration to register. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office is holding its annual Fright Farm haunted attraction in Maplewood at 2020 White Bear Avenue North, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night in October as well as October 31. Tickets cost $12 for all ages. Buy tickets online at frightfarm.org. November 5 General Election Voting Details Voting by absentee ballot opened September 20 for the November 5 General Election. Early voting runs October 29 to November 4. The election includes the Special Election for County Commissioner in District 1 and school board elections for Mounds View Public Schools and Roseville Area Schools. Polls will be open Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters should vote at their local precinct. For a list of early voting and general election times and locations, visit cityofardenhills.org/electionsandvoting. Benchmarks: A Review of Recent City Council Action August 26, 2019 All items approved unanimously by 5-0 vote. • Approved the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) update for the 429-acre study area located in Arden Hills. This update needs to be completed every five years until the site is fully developed. • Ordered the preparation of a feasibility report for the 2020 Pavement Management Program (PMP), which will include reconstruction of Old Snelling Avenue from north of County Road E to Trunk Highway 51 and the potential construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Old Snelling Ave and County Road E. • Accepted the resignation of a public works maintenance worker and authorized the recruitment process to fill the vacancy. For a complete listing of recent City Council action, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on View Agendas & Minutes. • Check with your garbage hauler about leaf collection. Most haulers have compost programs in place. • Keep nearby storm drains free from leaves and litter. Do Not: • Rake leaves into the lake or street. This is a violation of city ordinance. Leaves can enter storm drains and lakes and decay. This creates unwanted algae growth and depletes oxygen needed by fish and native plants. • Burn leaves. Leaf burning is a violation of city ordinance, as well as a nuisance for neighbors. Follow these guidelines to keep city storm drains and lakes clear and healthy. Do: • Add leaves to your backyard compost bin and use them to cover your gardens and plants. • Bring leaves to the Arden Hills Yard Waste Collection Site at 3530 Hudson Avenue (photo ID is required). The site is free of charge and open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through November. The site is closed Tuesday and Thursday. Follow Leaf Collection Guidelines to Protect Storm Drains Former Fire Station Foreclosed The former fire station, located at 3246 New Brighton Road, was voluntarily foreclosed. A sheriff’s office foreclosure sale has occurred and the foreclosing bank is reviewing proposals during the two-month redemption period. Valentine Hills Elementary Plans Mounds View School District has submitted an application for a site plan review and amended conditional use permit. The applicant is requesting to construct a 9,000-square- foot classroom addition on the south side of the building and a 1,000-square-foot cafeteria addition. Construction is anticipated to start in the spring of 2020. Perkins Owner Seeks Tenant Property owners of the vacated Perkins Restaurant, located south of I-694 on Lexington Avenue, continue to actively market the property. Arden Hills/Shoreview Lions Club Forms A new Lions Club chapter recently formed to serve the cities of Arden Hills and Shoreview. The club will be volunteering with city events and is seeking new members. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at Shore 96 Restaurant, 1056 Highway 96 W., Shoreview, at 6:30 p.m. If you have questions, please contact Membership Chair Jim Zewers at zewersj@aol.com. Development Updates Inside Council Upgrades A/V Equipment Development Updates Fall Activities and Events Guidelines for Leaf Removal Made in Arden Hills Features Split Rock Studios Split Rock Studios 2071 Gateway Blvd Arden Hills, MN 55112 Located at the I-35W and I-694 interchange, Split Rock Studios is an exhibit design/build firm that designs and produces interpretive exhibits for nature centers, museums, visitor centers, universities and national parks. Staff work with organizations from across the country to bring their educational message to visitors in engaging, memorable and hands- on ways. At any given time, they design and build exhibits for about 30 different projects, ranging from $25,000 to $2.5 million. Three things to know 1. Split Rock employs staff with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. The design department includes researchers, writers, 3D designers and graphic designers. They have project managers, estimators and CAD detailers. They employ exceptional cabinetmakers, welders, muralists and sculptors in their shops and draw talent from throughout the metro area. 2. Split Rock is employee owned. When its two founders were ready to retire in 2017, they sold the company to the employees. Split Rock retained the same staff, leadership and vision, despite the transition in ownership. Today, being employee owned means that everyone in the building is equally invested in the company’s success and reputation. 3. Split Rock has been honored to work on a number of recent Minnesota projects. Staff designed and built new exhibits for the International Wolf Center in Ely, which is now open to the public. The design team is working with the Washington County Historical Society to design and develop exhibits for their new building, slated to open in June 2020. They were thrilled to work with the St. Paul Saints this year on a new museum at their stadium. When Split Rock started, the company had just 13 employees. Today, 55 skilled museum employees design and build exhibits that are installed across the country. For more information, visit splitrockstudios.com. Wolf Center in Ely Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734