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Home My WebLink AboutJanuary-February 20207KH2I¿FLDO&LW\1HZVOHWWHUIRU$UGHQ+LOOV5HVLGHQWV -DQXDU\)HEUXDU\ City Adopts Budget and Approves Tax Levy The annual truth-in-taxation hearing was held on December 9 at Arden Hills City Hall. City staff presented information regarding the 2020 budget and tax levy. The City Council adopted a 2020 property tax levy of $4,135,340. This sets the city’s property tax levy increase for 2020 at 5 percent, which is the same as the preliminary levy rate set in September 2019. In 2020, the city tax rate is projected to be reduced by 1.5 percent. The tax rate is just one factor in calculating a tax bill, and with property values rising, many property owners will see their tax ELOOVULVHWRUHÀHFWWKHQHZKLJKHU value of their property. Home values are determined by the 5DPVH\&RXQW\$VVHVVRU¶V2I¿FH The impact of a 5 percent levy increase translates to a $57.06 increase in annual city taxes paid by resident owners of a median valued home. Arden Hills continues to have one of the lowest tax rates in Ramsey County. In Arden Hills, the levy is split between the General Fund ($3,665,340), the Economic Development Authority Fund ($100,000) and Capital Funds ($370,000). Continued on Page 4 Home Values Up, Tax Rate Stays Steady Voting Details for March 3 Presidential Primary; Note Precincts 2 and 3 Changes In 2016, legislation was passed establishing a presidential nomination primary, which will take place Tuesday, March 3. Only major parties will participate and each major party will have a separate ballot. Candidates have been submitted by the party chairs and no other races will appear. A voter must request their party ballot choice and their choice will be recorded and provided to the chairs of each major political party. For more information and to request an absentee ballot, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Elections & Voting web page. Absentee voting opened January 17. Early voting runs February 25 to March 2. Visit the Ramsey County Elections and Voting web pages for information on key election dates (under Quick Links), as well as early voting locations and hours of operation. On the March 3 Election Day, voters must vote at their precinct. See page 4 for precinct location changes. Continued on Page 4 Arden Hills Service Directory 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 www.cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 2I¿FH+RXUV 0RQGD\WKURXJK)ULGD\ DPWRSP 6KHULIIDQG)LUH 911 :DWHUDQG6HZHU3UREOHPV 'XULQJQRQEXVLQHVVKRXUV Mayor 'DYLG*UDQW dgrant@cityofardenhills.org &RXQFLOPHPEHUV %UHQGD+ROGHQ EKROGHQ#FLW\RIDUGHQKLOOVRUJ )UDQ+ROPHV IKROPHV#FLW\RIDUGHQKLOOVRUJ 'DYH0F&OXQJ GPFFOXQJ#FLW\RIDUGHQKLOOVRUJ 6WHYH6FRWW sscott@cityofardenhills.org &LW\$GPLQLVWUDWRU 'DYH3HUUDXOW GSHUUDXOW#FLW\RIDUGHQKLOOVRUJ &RPPXQLFDWLRQV&RRUGLQDWRU 'DZQ6NHOO\ GVNHOO\#FLW\RIDUGHQKLOOVRUJ &RXQFLOPHHWLQJVDUHKHOGDW&LW\ +DOORQWKHVHFRQGDQGIRXUWK 0RQGD\VRIWKHPRQWKDWSP 0HHWLQJVDUHWHOHYLVHGOLYHRQ&DEOH &KDQQHO0HHWLQJVRIWKH3ODQQLQJ &RPPLVVLRQDUHWHOHYLVHGDVZHOO9LVLW FLW\RIDUGHQKLOOVRUJIRULQIRUPDWLRQ DERXWDUFKLYHGPHHWLQJSOD\EDFNV Arden Hills NotesLVWKHRI¿FLDO QHZVOHWWHURIWKH&LW\RI$UGHQ+LOOVDQ HTXDORSSRUWXQLW\HPSOR\HU City News Updates Snow Plow and Snow Clearing Reminders • Street plowing typically begins when 2 inches of snow have accumulated. • Plows will get as close as possible to mailboxes, but residents DUHUHVSRQVLEOHIRUFOHDULQJVQRZIURPDURXQGPDLOER[HVDQG¿UH hydrants. • Do not park vehicles on the street after the accumulation of 2 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. City Seeks Volunteers for Committees and Commissions 9ROXQWHHUVDUHQHHGHGWR¿OOYDFDQWVHDWVRQWKHIROORZLQJFLW\ committees and commissions: Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, Financial Planning & Analysis Committee and the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee. For more information or to submit an online application, visit cityofardenhills.org/volunteer. Simple Recycling will Cease City Service on February 18 Simple Recycling will cease service in Arden Hills on February 18 due to low participation and rising costs. The company has been picking up textiles and household goods in orange bags for a few years. To dispose of textiles, consider thrift store and select retail store donations, repair or reuse. Textiles should never go in your curb side recycling bin! Visit RamseyRecycles.com/Reuse for options. Scouting Day 2020 to be Held February 29 Scouting Day 2020 will be held on Saturday, February 29 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at the Ramsey County Public Works facility in Arden Hills. Scouting Day is a special event where school-aged children who are active in scouting organizations learn about the work performed by public safety agencies in Ramsey County. The annual event includes educational activities, equipment displays and demonstrations. Scout leaders are encouraged to sign up by Friday, February 21. Register online at: surveymonkey.com/r/ScoutDay2020. For more information, call 651-266-7332. Census 2020 Kicks Off in March Every 10 years a census is taken that counts every person living in the United States. The population totals from the census determine many important things including congressional representation and federal spending allocations. Residents can expect to receive census information by mail in March. Census workers will conduct follow- XSYLVLWVZLWKQRQUHVSRQGHQWVGXULQJVXPPHU7KH¿QDOFHQVXV numbers are expected to be public in March 2021. Benchmarks: A Review of Recent City Council Action 1RYHPEHU All items approved unanimously by 5-0 vote. • Approved the Arden Hills 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which was formally approved by the Metropolitan Council on November 13, 2019. • Held a public hearing and approved a site plan review and conditional use permit for Valentine Hills Elementary School for a classroom and academic space addition on the south side and an addition to the existing cafeteria on the west side of the building. 'HFHPEHU Councilmember McClung, excused. All items approved unanimously by 4-0 vote. • Approved 2020 fee schedule with several increases/revisions, including increase in utility rates, increases in fees for use of certain park amenities and City Hall room rental fees, and revision of building permit fees in accordance with the 2019 Minnesota State Statute. • Conducted truth-in-taxation hearing on the 2012 budget and tax levy and approved the FDSLWDOLPSURYHPHQW plan. Adopted the proposed 2020 budget in the amount RI6HWWKH¿QDO tax levy for taxes payable in 2020 with a tax levy increase of 5 percent in the amount of $4,135,340. 'HFHPEHU6SHFLDO&LW\ &RXQFLO0HHWLQJ All items approved unanimously by 5-0 vote. • Approved 2020 tobacco license UHQHZDOVIRU¿YHEXVLQHVV establishments in the city, all of which have successfully passed a background check conducted by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s 2I¿FH • Approved 2020 liquor license renewals for eleven business establishments in the city, all of which have successfully passed a background check conducted by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s 2I¿FH • Held a public hearing and expanded the city's Tax Increment Financing District to include the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons redevelopment area. -DQXDU\ All approved by a unanimous 5-0 vote. • Approved the 2019 Pay Equity Report to MN Management DQG%XGJHW2I¿FHVKRZLQJ the city compensates male and female job classes equally for comparable work value. • Approved a $17,389 shared services agreement with Northeast Youth and Family Services for 2020 to provide services for at-risk youth and their families. • 'HVLJQDWHGRI¿FLDOUHVRXUFHV DQGDSSRLQWPHQWRIRI¿FHUV banking, insurance, media resources of record and appointed citizens to the various committees and commissions of the city. • Approved a variance at 3244 Sandeen Road for a setback. • Approved an $18,248 environmental review of potential contamination found related to the Old Snelling and County Road E Improvement Project. The city will pay 70% of the cost ($12,774) and the County pays 30% ($5,474). • Approved an action changing the location of voting polling locations for precincts 2 and 3. • Approved $44,585 for tennis court improvements at Cummings and Royal Hills parks. This project is 90% complete. • Approved $178,235 for remaining work on the Old Snelling and Watermain Improvement Project. This project is funded by a combination of city, county and state sources. • Approved an amendment to the existing conditional use permit for the Arden/Shoreview Animal Hospital at 1261 County Road E. Continued on Page 4 The Council adopted a 2020 city budget of $13,526,110, which includes the General Fund, Capital Funds and Utilities. *HQHUDO)XQG%XGJHW 5HYHQXHV • General Fund revenues in the 2020 budget are set at $4,896,720. • The property tax levy accounts for approximately 74 percent of the General Fund revenues and will be increased 4.2 percent or $146,920 over the previous year. ([SHQGLWXUHV • General Fund expenditures for 2020 total $5,018,310. • Public Safety costs have increased by 8.2 percent for the Lake Johanna Fire Department and 7.7 percent for the Ramsey County Sheriff contract. • Staff position changes resulted in a savings to the 2020 budget. The approved budget and tax levy information can be viewed in detail in the December 9 City Council agenda at cityofardenhills.org. Budget and Levy Continued from Page 1 Presidential Primary Continued from Page 1 The Precinct 2 Polling Location at Bethel University's Anderson Center can be accessed from County Road E W or Lexington Avenue, via Pine Tree Drive. • Appointed Todd Blomstrom as Public Works Director/ City Engineer. He previously provided limited services to the city under a contract with SEH. 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. 3UHFLQFW /RFDWLRQ&KDQJHV City precinct polling locations 2 and 3 have changed, due to proximity to the precinct and accessibility issues, respectively. The polling place for Precinct 2 has changed from North Heights Lutheran Church to Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive (see map). The polling place for Precinct 3 has changed from the Ramsey County Public Works Facility to North Heights Lutheran Church, 1700 Highway 96 W. Those voters who live in Precinct 1 will continue to vote at Presbyterian Church of the Way, 3382 Lexington Avenue N. To view a precinct map, visit the Elections and Voting web page at cityofardenhills.org and click on Where to Vote. Benchmarks Continued from Page 3 :KDWKDSSHQVWRP\UHF\FOLQJ" Your recycling is taken to a materials recovery facility (MRF), where it is sorted into material type by employees and high-tech machinery. Then it is baled with other materials of its type, and shipped to manufacturers who turn it into new products! Aluminum cans are melted and turned into new aluminum cans. Plastic bottles are chipped, washed, melted and reformed into new food containers, composite decking, lawn furniture and more. Paper is pulped DQGWKH¿EHUVDUHUHPDGHLQWRQHZ paper products at paper mills. :K\VKRXOG,FRQWLQXHWRUHF\FOH" You may have heard that China is no longer accepting USA’s recyclables due to the high contamination rates of our recycling, which is caused by mixing non-recyclable items with recyclable items. However, Minnesota has a large capacity to recycle items in our own state. While this change has caused a drop in the price given for recyclables, it is illegal in Minnesota for sorted UHF\FODEOHVWREHVHQWWRDODQG¿OO <RXFDQEHFRQ¿GHQWWKDW\RXU recycling is still being recycled. :KDWFDQ,UHF\FOH" The city's weekly curbside recycling service provider is Republic Services. Put the following materials in your curbside recycling bin: • Flattened Cardboard • Paper (including mail, magazines, phone books and newspaper) • Metal Cans • Plastic Bottles, Containers and Jugs (1, 2, 5). Please reapply caps and lids. • Glass • Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Tubes • Most Frozen Food Boxes (Check packaging before recycling). :KDWFDQQRWEHUHF\FOHG" Do not put the following in your curbside recycling bin: • Food Scraps (these can be taken to a yard waste site) • Greasy Pizza Boxes (these can be composted) • Plastic Bags and Plastic Film • Batteries • String Lights and Cords • Needles and Syringes • Yard Waste • Propane Tanks and Other Hazardous Waste • Paper Plates, Cups, Plastic straws and silverware :KDWVKRXOG,GRLI,DPQRW VXUHLIDQLWHPFDQEHUHF\FOHG" When in doubt, throw it out. Contamination lowers the value of recycled materials and can make recycling correct materials GLI¿FXOW,Q$UGHQ+LOOV had a 7.3% contamination rate in our curbside recycling. Visit RamseyRecycles.com/ AtoZ to learn how to dispose of items locally. Review the website annually, as some items may change due to technology advances in recycling equipment. Frequently Asked Questions about Recycling Welcome New Customer Support Specialist As a customer support specialist at City Hall, Julie Horak greets customers with a smile—whether they are calling her on the phone or visiting her in person—and helps them with many tasks such as making a utility payment, registering for a FODVVRU¿QGLQJLQIRUPDWLRQ about recycling. Julie works part-time in a job-sharing role with Sue Johnson. “It’s a lot of little things and different projects,” she said. “I enjoy meeting people and helping them get the information they need.” Julie worked for 18 years with Northwest Airlines, seven years for locally based Ulteig Inc. and most recently with the City of Fridley, all in customer support roles. She and her husband and two children reside in Fridley. Julie enjoys traveling, volunteering with school activities and spending time with their two dogs. -XOLH+RUDN 'LG\RXNQRZ"Residents brought in more than 270 pounds of broken holiday string lights during the FROOHFWLRQGULYHDW&LW\+DOO7KHVHOLJKWVZHUHGLYHUWHGIURPWKHODQG¿OODQGWDNHQWRDORFDOHOHFWURQLFVUHF\FOHU Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 2020 Budget and Levy Presidential Primary Voting Details Recent Council Action Recycling FAQ Made in Arden Hills Features Adherent Laboratories Adherent Laboratories, located at 3804 Dunlap Street North, is an independent adhesives and materials company focused on research and development, as well as consulting and testing for local and global clients who have unique adhesive application needs. The adhesives developed by the company have various applications WKDWLQFOXGHSURWHFWLYH¿OPVWR cover boats in the winter, waxes used to help make contact lenses, protective covers for transporting military weapons and skins to improve ski grip, to name a few. 7KUHHWKLQJVWRNQRZ 1. Companies interested in developing a product often look to Adherent Laboratories. For example, a contact lens manufacturer needed a certain wax made to make it easier to manufacture prescription all along the value chain for businesses that want to develop, make and use adhesives,” said Meyer. Adherent Laboratories has been in Arden Hills for 15 years. For more information, visit Adherentlabs.com. lenses. “We develop and own the formula for a company and then license it to them,” said Paul Meyer, president. 2. Adherent works with a company that sells ski equipment for back country skiers who want ski skins with better grip in virgin snow conditions. They also partner with a company that offers FXVWRP¿WVWRUDJHFRYHUVIRU large river boats. 3. Companies like Johnson & Johnson or Hollister Incorporated hire Adherent Laboratories to test products and if required develop adhesives for their unique applications. Adherent also works with Arden Hills companies, including an industrial cut and sew supplier and a medical device manufacturer. “We work