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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 June 2021The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents June 2021 Bethel University Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony A groundbreaking ceremony was held under blue skies on Monday, May 17 at Royal Stadium on Bethel University’s southern quadrant of its main campus. The event was also an opportunity to celebrate Bob Bjorklund, Bethel University’s retiring athletic director, for his 24 years of service to Bethel. Mayor Grant, Councilmember Holmes, Councilmember Scott, and Arden Hills city staff attended the event, which was well attended by Bethel alumni, students, and faculty. On May 3 at a Special City Council Meeting, City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Site Plan Review at Bethel University’s campus to update the existing football and practice fields. Specific updates will include converting the football field to artificial turf and adding a new running track around it. The project will also include updates to sports field lighting, scoreboards, spectator plazas, and perimeter fencing. Seating capacity will remain as is. Congratulations to the Class of 2021! Graduation from high school, college, technical school, or a master’s program marks an important turning point in a student’s life. The degree earned represents not only hard work and the accomplishment of academic goals, but also the promise of achievements to come in the future. On top of the traditional student stresses, the graduates of the Class of 2021 faced additional pressures and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many graduations this year will have a different look and feel due to COVID-19. The importance of our graduates’ successes, however, has not changed. To all the graduates in Arden Hills (and a special shout out the Class of 2021 graduating from our own Mounds View High School, Bethel University, and University of Northwestern), the Mayor and City Council extend our warmest congratulations: we are proud of you, and look forward to what you’ll achieve next. Councilmember Scott, Bethel University President Ross Allen, Mayor Grant, and Councilmember Holmes. Photo credit: Scott StrebleCeremonial shovel dig. Photo credit: Gretchen Needham Bethel University President Ross Allen and Mayor Grant. Photo credit: Scott Streble City News Arden Hills 2020 Drinking Water Report Is Available The City’s 2020 Consumer Confidence Report (also known as the Drinking Water Report) is now available online. Visit cityofardenhills.org/drinkingwaterreport. Fun Community Events Coming in July The City of Arden Hills expects the Penny Carnival and Bark & Rec events will take place in late July now that COVID restrictions are largely lifted. Stay tuned to the July newsletter and the City website for dates, times, and more details! Helicopters Overhead May Mean Mosquito Control The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District is a local government agency that provides a range of services to Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Dakota, Scott, and Carver counties, including residents in the Twin Cities metro. MMCD helicopters apply dry pellets or granules to prevent larval mosquitoes from becoming biting adults. These are bio-rational control materials which specifically target mosquito larvae and pose no risk to human or animal health. MMCD helicopters DO NOT apply liquid control materials that target adult mosquitoes. To learn where MMCD helicopter activity will be, visit mmcd.org/ helicopter-activity. No Soliciting in Arden Hills until July 1 Door-to-door soliciting for sale or contract of goods or services will not be allowed in Arden Hills until July 1, 2021. City staff have recently received calls about companies operating without a permit to solicit. If you see someone in the neighborhood who is going door- to-door, please call the City Clerk during business hours on Mondays through Fridays at 651-792-7811 or the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office after normal business hours and on weekends at 9-1-1 to report it. Welcome Jessica Jagoe, Senior Planner The City of Arden Hills is happy to welcome Jessica Jagoe as the City’s new Senior Planner. Ms. Jagoe started May 17 and comes with extensive experience at Little Canada, and most recently, Chisago County. Arden Hills Service Directory Arden Hills City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 www.cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Office Hours Monday through Friday 8 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 Gretchen Needham ● 651-792-7817 gneedham@cityofardenhills.org Communications Committee Council Liaison Fran Holmes Council meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. Meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. Meetings of the Planning Commission are televised as well. Please 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. Benchmarks: A Review of Recent City Council Action All items were approved unanimously by a 5–0 vote unless otherwise noted. April 29, 2021 Special City Council Meeting • Appointed Jessica Jagoe to the position of Senior Planner starting on May 17, 2021. May 3, 2021 Special City Council Meeting • Approved a Conditional Use Permit Amendment and Site Plan Review at Bethel University’s main campus to update the existing football and practice fields located in the southern quadrant of their main campus at 3900 Bethel Drive. This item had been tabled from the April 29, 2021 City Council Meeting. May 10, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting • Approved the 2021 Public Works In-House Paving Project which will involve resurfacing the following two street segments: Fairview Avenue from Lake Valentine Road to Gramsie Road, and Pascal Avenue from County Rd E to north termini. • Accepted resignation of James Lambeth from Planning Commission as of May 5, 2021 after five years of service as a Commissioner. May 24, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting • Approved the 2020 City Financial Statements and Audit. • Appointed Kurtis Weber as a full member of the Planning Commission; Mr. Weber had been serving as an Alternate. • Held a public hearing and approved an application for a Conditional Use Permit, Master Plan Planned Unit Development, and Final Planned Unit Development for a Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant, with drive- through lanes, located at 3855 Lexington Avenue. • Held a public hearing and approved a Zoning Code amendment to allow Houses of Worship as a Conditional Use in the I-FLEX District. Grove Church, otherwise known as Everyday Church, is interested in developing the property located at 1275 Red Fox Road. • Held a public hearing and tabled an amendment to the Zoning Code to permit accessory storage sheds within the required structure setback from the ordinary high water level of up to 100 square feet in size and 8 feet in height (Motion carried 3–2, McClung and Scott opposed). • Denied a variance to decrease the required side yard setback of the single-family detached dwelling located at 4073 Valentine Court (Motion carried 3–2, McClung and Scott opposed). For a complete listing of recent City Council action, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on View Agendas & Minutes. Ready to Recycle: Composting Food Scraps Composting your food scraps is as easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Pick up a Food Scraps Collection Starter Kit at any Ramsey County yard waste collection site. Kits include a small kitchen caddy, compostable bags, tips for success, and a loyalty punch card. When you complete five visits on your punch card, you can redeem your punch card for a free t-shirt (one per customer, please). 2. Collect your food scraps into the compostable bag. Be sure the bag you use is biodegradable if using your own. 3. Bring your bagged compost to a collection site; pick up new compostable bags while you’re there, and remember to get a punch in your loyalty card. For more information about the program, visit ramseycounty.us/residents/ recycling-waste/collection-sites/food-scraps. Arden Hills Collection Site: 3530 Hudson Ave, off of New Brighton Road April–November • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. • Tuesday, Thursday: closed • Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. • Sunday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Street and Utility Improvements—June 14 start: Hazelnut Park neighborhood: full road reconstruction to Glenpaul, Prior, and the eastern portion of Jerrold Avenues; resurfacing of pavement on Edgewater and the western portion of Jerrold Avenues; installation of storm sewers on Glenpaul, Prior, and the east block of Jerrold Avenues; replacement of water main pipe along Glenpaul, the east portion of Jerrold, and at the intersection of Edgewater and Prior; and replacement of the force main pipe along Edgewater. Final paving is scheduled for October. Please contact Nick Amatuccio, Project Engineer, at 612-965-3926 or nickam@bolton-menk.com, or David Swearingen, Interim Public Works Director for the City of Arden Hills at 651-792-7847 or dswearingen@ cityofardenhills.org. Stay up to date with project construction at cityofardenhills.org/2021PMP. Concrete Improvements—June 14 start: miscellaneous concrete repairs to address failing curb, flatwork and storm sewer catch basins. The project map can be found on the city website at cityofardenhills.org/ ConcreteImprovements. Public Works In-House Paving—June 14 start: Fairview Avenue from Lake Valentine Rd to Gramsie Rd and Pascal Avenue from County Rd E to the north termini have been chosen for this resurfacing project. The process involves milling of the top 2 inches of asphalt then applying a tack binder material before repaving the street. Some related curb and storm sewer work is also included. The milling operations will begin June 14 along with some curb work, then paving will begin June 21 and should be completed within a couple days. Crack Sealing—June 28 start: application of a bituminous sealant into pavement cracks to minimize water from seeping into the subgrade below the pavement and causing deterioration. The project map can be found on the city website at cityofardenhills.org/StreetMaintenance. Night to Unite Is Back! Night to Unite 2021 will take place this year on Tuesday, August 3. 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. Don’t miss your chance to participate! To organize and register a Night to Unite event in your neighborhood, visit surveymonkey.com/r/NTU2021 or call 651-266-7339. Pavement Management Projects Are Under Way School Supply Drive New school supplies will be collected from our neighborhoods for K–12 students that are in need at our local schools. Supplies will be picked up during the Night to Unite events. Look for more details in our July newsletter. Development Updates The following planning cases are moving forward from concept plans into development phases. Chick-fil-A had its application approved for a fast food restaurant located at 3855 Lexington Avenue at the northwest corner of Lexington and Red Fox Road at the old Perkins site. Chick-fil-A will redevelop the 1.5-acre parcel with a new single-story 4,995-square-foot building with a dual-lane drive-thru. Grove Church is in the process of changing its name to Everyday Church. At the May 24 City Council Meeting, Council approved an amendment to the I-FLEX Zoning District to allow Houses of Worship as a Conditional Use. Grove Church/Everyday Church will still need to submit a Conditional Use Permit application with the planning details for its proposed church at this site, which the Council will then consider at a future meeting. Not picking up after your pet is more than an unsightly and stinky eyesore. When left on the ground to disintegrate naturally, dog feces breaks down into particles that pollute our watershed and potentially breed diseases transmissible to both animals and humans. Here’s the scoop on common misconceptions regarding dog poop: “Dog waste is natural. Wild animals poop in the woods. What’s the difference?” The difference is that wild animals eat a wild diet of berries, native plants and vegetation, and critters lower on the food chain, whereas pets are eating nutrient- dense pet foods that create waste chock full of nitrogen and phosphorus—an excess of these nutrients can upend the delicate balance of an ecosystem. “A little poop here and there is no big deal. My dog is tiny!” Across the United States, the 83 million dogs we call members of our families produce an impressive 10.6 million tons of poop every year! Whether it’s a Great Dane or Dachshund, every dog adds to the overall count. Being a responsible dog owner means picking up after our dogs. Your neighbors and your environment will appreciate the pickup efforts! Please Clean Up Pet Waste All dogs and cats over three months of age in Arden Hills must be registered with the City. The license assists in the timely return of lost pets and assists in the prevention of the spread of rabies. A license costs $30 and is good for two years. To license your pet, you’ll need a copy of your pet’s current certification of rabies vaccination from your veterinarian and a completed Pet License Application. You can submit your form and payment at cityofardenhills.org/PetLicense. Enjoy Local Dog Parks Responsibly Arden Hills has two off-leash dog parks for you and your canine companions to explore. Perry Park at 3700 New Brighton Road is available year-round for off-leash fun, and Hazelnut Park at 3301 New Brighton Road is available in the summer only. Please abide by the posted rules at the park to keep dogs and dog owners safe. Don't Forget to License Your Pet What To Do When a Pet Goes Missing If you’re trying to locate your pet, check with Saint Paul Animal Control Center, located at 1285 Jessamine Avenue West in Saint Paul (reach them at 651-266-1100, Mondays–Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Owners claiming their pets will need to show paper proof that the animal is licensed in the city in which they live. If you find a lost pet, please contact Ramsey County Animal Control at 651-767-0640. They can post the missing pet’s information on their Facebook page. Make sure your pet is microchipped and is wearing identifying tags: Animal Control would rather bring your dog home to you than to the impound shelter. Know the Rules With the weather turning warmer, many residents are enjoying walks with their dogs. They should be able to do so without becoming a victim of an aggressive animal. City ordinance requires that dogs stay within the confines of the owner’s property, and when in public, dogs should be restrained except in designated off-leash areas. Owners of aggressive dogs could be financially liable for injuries to people or other animals. Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 Groundbreaking Ceremony at Bethel Reminder to License Pets Recent City Council Action Composting Food Scraps On Sunday May 2, members of Students for Climate Awareness gave out red pine seedlings to the public at the Mounds View High School. The Tree Drive was created with the intention to get more people outside and engaged with the environment, especially in honor of Arbor Day. The club received 250 red pine seedlings by an anonymous donor; some of these seedlings were planted by the club a couple of days before the Tree Drive in the city of Mounds View. Student-Led Club Grows Climate Awareness “To me, environmental activism is getting out and making a difference—no matter how small. It’s safe to say that we definitely accomplished that! Quite a few people showed up,  grabbed a tree or two, and gave it a permanent home. Knowing  the good those trees will do is encouraging, to say the least. COVID really destabilized our club and we (the presidents)  struggled to find ways to keep our members engaged. During  the summer months and the 2021–22 school year, we hope to  continue with these events and find even bigger and better  opportunities to support the betterment of our planet.”  —Ava Frey, co-president along with Garima Khatiwada of Students for Climate Awareness → Members of Students for Climate Awareness pose with some of the seedlings offered in their spring Tree Drive. Top row, left to right: Hazel Holmdahl, Charlotte Deibert, Alexandra Rylander, Emily Fatkhiyev, and Jessica Tran. Bottom row, left to right: Ava Frey, Garima Khatiwada, Jooha Kim, and Sierra Peacock.