HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 2019The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents November 2019
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed part of the
former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) property from
its Superfund National Priorities List after more than three decades
of study and cleanup. The soil at the 2,370-acre TCAAP site has been
delisted, or removed, from the Superfund list because cleanup goals have
been achieved, according to the EPA. The Army continues to clean up
contaminated groundwater on the site. Drinking water for the planned Rice
Creek Commons development will come from the Saint Paul Regional
Water Services, which serves all of Arden Hills.
TCAAP Partially Delisted From Superfund List CenturyLink Moves to End
Franchise Agreement
The North Suburban Cable
Commission and its nine-
member cities, including the
City of Arden Hills, are close to
settling a franchise agreement
with CenturyLink that would
allow the cable television
provider to discontinue
marketing its cable service
in our area at the end of its
contract term or earlier, as well
as discontinue its service, with
90 days written notice, for
PRISM subscribers.
The franchise agreements are
set to expire between November
2020 and January 2021.
At its September 23 City
Council meeting, the Council
agreed to the franchise
settlement terms.
CenturyLink subscribers
who have questions about
their service and terms of
their contracts, should call
CenturyLink at
800-244-1111.
For many years, the newspaper of record for the city has been the
Shoreview-Arden Hills Bulletin, published by Lillie Suburban Newspapers.
The publication is no longer in business and the October 2 issue was the
paper’s last publication.
At the October 17 City Council meeting, the council appointed the
St. Paul Pioneer Press
notices will be published in the daily newspaper for at least the remainder
of 2019. Visit twincities.com to view the notices online (subscription
required).
City Selects New Newspaper of Record
At a recent City Council meeting,
the council publicly thanked
Senator Jason Isaacson for his
contribution and assistance in
obtaining $500,000 in special
legislative funding to install a new
water main along Highway 10.
The need for the funding was
due to an unexpected change in
the Minnesota Department of
Transportation’s project plan.
City Thanks Senator Jason Isaacson for Securing Funding
City News Updates
Truth-in-Taxation Hearing Scheduled for December 9
The city will hold a Truth-in-Taxation Hearing on Monday, December 9
at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The 2020 General Fund
expenditure budget is proposed at $5,015,770. The preliminary tax levy
increase is set at 5%, which equates to a tax levy of $4,135,340. Based
on the preliminary values, the city's share of property taxes would
increase by $55 annually on a median valued home, which is projected
to value $372,400 in 2020. The proposed levy increase goes to support
Mounds View High School Weight Room Change of Location
Mounds View Public Schools has submitted an application for an
interim use permit to allow the existing building at 1901 Lake Valentine
Mounds View High School while the new facility is under construction.
The proposed interim use permit will expire on October 1, 2020, when
main campus. This action was approved by the City Council.
Council Approves Digital Display Menu Boards
The City Council recently approved a sign code amendment to allow
with drive-through lanes. Unlike traditional paper menu boards, digital
displays can be updated in real time. McDonald's, located at 1313 W.
County Rd E, will install dynamic display menu boards in the coming
weeks.
Basketball and Tennis Court Updates
Cummings Park basketball and tennis courts were resurfaced and striped
and are open for use. Surface paving is complete at Royal Hills Park, but
the courts will remain closed through the remainder of the year, as the
contractor installs fencing and concrete sidewalk improvements.
A representative from the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT) will attend the November 18 Council Work Session to
discuss plans to study access along Snelling Avenue (Highway 51),
including the center median access that was temporarily closed at
Hamline Avenue. Vehicles traveling southbound on Snelling Avenue
could previously make a left turn onto southbound Hamline Avenue
prior to the temporary closure. MnDOT anticipates this closure
to remain through the duration of the I-35W project. A MnDOT
representative will describe the study process to determine the future
of access on Highway 51 at Hamline Avenue and outline the public
engagement process that will occur during the MnDOT study.
MnDOT to Discuss Future of Snelling to Hamline Access
Primrose School of Arden Hills
and Shoreview
for business on Tuesday, October
15, at 4061 Lexington Avenue
N. on the southwest corner of
Lexington Ave and County
Road F. Primrose is a nationally
accredited child care and
preschool serving infants through
kindergarten.
Namaste India Grill &
Brewhouse, has replaced the
Nutmeg Brewhouse at 3673
Lexington Ave N. in Shannon
Square, and serves Indian food.
Benchmarks: A Review of Recent City Council Action
September 23, 2019
All items approved unanimously by
5-0 vote.
• Held a public hearing and
adopted a sign code amendment
to allow for dynamic display
menu board signs at drive-
shop facilities.
• Set preliminary levy for taxes
payable in 2020 at 5 percent
(which may be lowered but
cannot be increased) and
adopted the Truth-in-Taxation
public hearing date for
December 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
• Approved the appointment
of Jill Anderson and Marie
Hinton to the Parks, Trails and
Recreation Committee (PTRC).
• Authorized posting for a public
• Approved appointment of
open position for a public works
maintenance worker.
October 17, 2019
Councilmember McClung, excused.
All items approved unanimously by
4-0 vote.
• Appointed the St. Paul
Pioneer Press as the city’s
for the remainder of 2019.
Lillie Suburban Newspapers
(Shoreview-Arden Hills
Bulletin), which was the city’s
approved newspaper of record,
published its last issue on
October 2, 2019.
For a complete listing of recent
City Council action, visit
cityofardenhills.org and click on
View Agendas & Minutes.
Development Updates
Exterior construction is nearly
complete on the Army National
Guard Red Bull Infantry
Division Headquarters. Interior
improvements and exterior
utilities’ work are ongoing.
The anticipated opening is
summer 2020. An estimated
800 National Guard members
will use the facility on drill
weekends.
Visit cityofardenhlls.org/
developmentprojects for
updates.
Step ‘N Stretch, located at 3549
Lexington Avenue N. in Arden
Plaza, recently expanded to
accommodate customers from the
company’s Blaine and Woodbury
store locations, which are now
closed.
The company is family-owned, has
been in operation for 23 years and
plans to roll out online ordering
this summer. Step ‘N Stretch
skating and theatrical clothing and
shoes for children and families,
along with liturgical apparel.
City Welcomes New Businesses and Business Expansions
Step 'N Stretch
Red Bull Infantry Division
Headquarters
New Faces at City Hall
Terry Hagstrom, Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Inspector
As the Building Inspector, I conduct residential plan reviews and
residential building inspections. My other duty is code enforcement, or
keeping everyone in compliance with the city ordinances. I also help the
The city’s building code and city ordinances are in place to keep people
safe. I enjoy meeting and working with the residents and contractors in
Arden Hills.
I lived in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park for most of my life and then
built a family home in Lindwood Township, where we have resided for the
past 14 years. I have been in construction for more than 35 years and had
a remodeling company prior to becoming a building inspector. I have been
married to my best friend Bonnie for 38 years and counting. We have two
adult children and four grandchildren. I would list some of my hobbies,
but my wife says I have too many.
Danica Mooney-Jones Serves City as GreenCorps Member
As a Minnesota GreenCorps member, I am serving at the city from
September 2019 to August 2020. The Minnesota GreenCorps program
is an Americorps program coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency to help preserve and protect Minnesota’s environment. I
and outreach in the areas of waste reduction and recycling, organics
recycling, stormwater management, energy conservation and chloride
reduction. First up: rain garden maintenance!
I grew up in Northern Virginia, but moved to Minneapolis to attend the
University of Minnesota, where I obtained my degree in genetics, cell
biology and development, with a minor in food systems. I worked on
the UMN student organic farm this past summer, a soybean genetics lab
during my college years and for the Appalachian Mountain Club doing
trail maintenance for two summers. I play for the Twin Cities Amazons
Rugby Team, and I love hiking!
The following road construction
projects were recently completed:
A third lane on eastbound Hwy
10 between I-35W and Co. Rd.
96 was constructed and two noise
walls were built along the south
side of the eastbound highway.
Drainage improvements, concrete
curbing and street paving were
Terry Hagstrom
Danica Mooney-Jones
Road Construction and Road Maintenance Project Updates
completed along Colleen Avenue.
The surface layer on Lexington
Avenue between County Road C2
and County Road E was removed
and replaced with new, smooth
pavement. New accessible ramps
for pedestrians were installed.
The Mounds View Schools’ district
contractor completed a storm sewer
crossing of Lake Valentine Road.
Curb and pavement have been
restored and the road is fully open
The contractor for the Red Bull
Infantry Division Headquarters
is installing sanitary sewer line
along Hamline Avenue north of
Highway 96. Temporary road
closures are occurring.
Get your skates ready. The city’s ice rinks will open December 9, pending
weather conditions.
Freeway, Hazelnut and Perry Park’s ice rink and warming house hours:
• Monday – Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A temporary structure warming house will be placed at Hazelnut Park.
Cummings Park warming house hours:
• Monday – Thursday, Warming house will not be open, but a push light
will be available to light the rink.
• Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
All rinks will be closed if the temperature or the windchill is below 20
degrees Fahrenheit. Call the weather hotline at 651-792-7841, to learn of
rink and warming house closures and Parks and Recreation program and
activity cancellations.
City Ice Rink and Warming House Hours
The city’s Public Works Department works to provide safe driving
conditions for residents while balancing costs of snow and ice control.
Street plowing typically begins when two inches of snow have
accumulated. Plows will get as close as possible to mailboxes, but
hydrants.
Please do not park vehicles on the street after the accumulation of two or
more inches of snow and until after plowing has been completed. Parking
is not allowed on any city street between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. year
round.
Parks & Recreation
Holiday Events
Gingerbread House Making
will be held Saturday,
December 7, 10:00 a.m. to
11:30 a.m., and Holiday Gift
Making will be held from
Noon to 1:30 p.m. in the
Community Room at City
Hall. The cost is $20 for each
children for both classes with a
bag lunch and enjoy some free
time.
Breakfast with Santa will be
held Saturday, December 14,
9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the
City Hall Community Room.
The cost is $10 per person
(child or adult). Join us for a
North Pole breakfast of donuts,
Play holiday games, win fun
prizes, make exciting holiday
crafts and get your pictures
taken with Santa.
A Family Skate & Sled Event
is set for Saturday, January
11, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at
the Cummings Park Warming
House. The cost is $10 per
family. Grab your skates and
your sled for an afternoon
of family fun. Join us at the
Cummings Park Warming
House for some sledding,
skating and a winter craft. Hot
chocolate and a snack will be
served.
Register online at
cityofardenhills.org/
recregistration. Call City Hall
with any questions at
651-792-7800.
Please Follow the City’s Snow Plow Policy
Watch Your Mail for the Winter Parks and Recreation Guide
The Winter 2020 Parks &
Recreation Guide will arrive in
mailboxes in mid-November.
Watch for new adult day trips to the
Saint Cloud Paramount Theatre,
Como Conservatory and The
Museum of Russian Art, to name
a few. Registration is also open for
history classes, outdoor activities,
grandparent and me painting classes
and crime prevention presentations.
Inside
TCAAP Partial Delisting
New Arden Hills Businesses
New Faces at City Hall
Ice Rink and Warming House Hours
Made in Arden Hills MerryStockings
MerryStockings, located at 1157
Grey Fox Road, is a family-owned
business that provides a wide
selection of personalized Christmas
Stockings and Bucilla-brand
stocking kits that can be ordered
online and made at home. The
company also sells personalized
ornaments and tree skirts, as well as
stocking hangers and accessories,
like gift tags and wooden village
sets.
Three things to know
1. MerryStockings is a family
business operated by a husband
and wife team. “We may not
be as big as Pottery Barn, but
we strive to create the best line
of Christmas stockings and
holiday decoration products on
the web,” said Jake Witham,
for thousands of Christmas
stockings each year is not a
small task, but it’s a task that
we thoroughly enjoy.”
2. The MerryStockings
product line is warm,
traditional and generally
compliments most
Christmas decoration
personalized Christmas
stocking or other Christmas
decoration product
that works well in their
homes for many seasons.
Stockings are made of
felt, wool, needlepoint
and velvet and come
in a variety of themes,
including stockings for
pets.
3. MerryStockings also sells
felt Advent calendars and
specializes in Bucilla kits
for year-round decorating,
including Easter, Halloween,
birthdays and even tooth fairy
occasions. New products
for 2019 include three
personalized Woolrich wool
stocking versions made in
Minneapolis; cherry, maple
and walnut wood village sets; a
personalized jumbo Santa bag;
and personalized wood stocking
holders.
MerryStockings has been in
business since 2007. Visit
merrystockings.com, or call 888-
764-2271.
Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734