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Home My WebLink About01 JAN/FEB NL 2022 (PDF)The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents January/February 2022 City Adopts Budget and Approves Tax Levy The annual truth in taxation hearing was held on December 13 at Arden Hills City Hall. City staff presented information regarding the 2022 budget and tax levy. The City Council adopted a 2022 property tax levy of $4,472,680. This sets the city’s property tax levy increase for 2022 at 4.5 percent, which is the same as the preliminary levy rate set in September 2021. The impact of a 4.5 percent levy increase translates to a $48.05 increase in annual city taxes paid by resident owners of median valued homes. 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 ($3,902,680), the Economic Development Authority Fund ($100,000), and Capital Funds ($470,000). The Council adopted a 2022 city budget of $16,839,650, which includes the General Fund, Capital Funds and Utilities. What your Arden Hills Tax Dollar Buys You Description of Transaction Balance Public Safety $36.53 General Government $17.54 Parks and Recreation $11.11 Public Works $11.04 Capital $6.84 EDA $1.46 Total per Month $84.52 A $384,600 home (the average in Arden Hills) generates $1,014 in annual City property taxes, or $84.52 per month for 2022. City Council Appoints New Councilmember David Radziej has been appointed as a new City Councilmember until December 31, 2022. Following the death of Councilmember Dave McClung, the City Council declared a vacancy for the open seat on the City Council. In November 2022, a special election will take place in which voters will decide who will finish the remaining two years of the term, from January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2024. Mayor Grant noted the Council received 10 applications from a range of excellent candidates whose backgrounds included both the private and public sectors. Councilmember Radziej has served on multiple Arden Hills Committees and Commissions prior to his appointment as councilmember, including the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Financial Planning and Analysis Committee (FPAC). After moving to Arden Hills in 2004, David and his wife raised four kids who attended Mounds View schools. David's appreciation of Arden Hill's extensive trails and parks systems brought him here and kept him over the past 18 years. He hopes to utilize his background in construction management and finance to better the city of Arden Hills! continued on page 3 Mayor David Grant (left) and Councilmember David Radziej (right) Arden Hills Service Directory Arden Hills City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112-5734 cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Office Hours Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–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 Steve Scott ● 651-604-0919 sscott@cityofardenhills.org David Radziej ● 651-356-5928 dradziej@cityofardenhills.org City Administrator Dave Perrault ● 651-792-7824 dperrault@cityofardenhills.org Communications Coordinator Grace Arel ● 651-792-7817 garel@cityofardenhills.org City Council Liasons Fran Holmes and David Radziej 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. Planning Commission meetings are also televised. 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. Mounds View High School Legislative Bonding February is Tree Pruning Month! Last November, Mayor David Grant and Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Steve Scott met with House Representatives from the Capital Investment Committee and School District Officials to talk about the City’s request for State Funding for the Mounds View School Trail Project. Have you considered pruning your trees this year? Pruning is beneficial for many reasons: 1. Trimming off dying or diseased branches protects your trees from further harm. 2. You can prune to promote new tree growth or suppress unwanted growth. 3. Pruning can keep branches from becoming too large and hazardous. According to Ramsey County Master Gardener Volunteers, February is the best time to prune your trees. In February, harmful tree diseases are at a minimum and deciduous trees have already “hardened off”, meaning they have prepared for winter dormancy. When the growing season begins, the wounds will be sealed, and the healing process will begin. July and August are the second-best times to prune. April, May, and June are not good months to prune because deciduous trees need to use their stored energy to produce new leaves instead of healing wounds. Also, pruning during warmer spring months encourages the spread of diseases such as Oak Wilt and damage by pests such as Emerald Ash Borer. Pruning too early, in late autumn and early winter, can lead to winter injury. The pruning wounds may not have time to heal and could freeze or be damaged by frost. Ramsey County residents can bring branches to select Ramsey County yard waste collection sites. Sites are open on weekends during the winter. Visit our website for locations and hours. Please note that not all yard waste sites accept branches. Visit cityofardenhills. org/411/Tree-Service-License to find licensed tree trimming contractors. The proposed project will run along Lake Valentine Road from Mounds View High School to Snelling Ave North and then South to County Rd E2. This trail will help separate pedestrian and bicycle traffic from the busy road, keeping our residents safe. The cost of the trail, which is just over a half-mile long (2900 ft), is estimated at $960,000. Budget Summary Continued Budgeted Govenmental Funds General and Special Revenue Funds 2021 Budget 2022 Budget Revenue Taxes: Property Taxes $3,807,760 $3,950,850 Tax Increments 302,240 377,180 Other 104,870 112,470 Special Assessments 1,060 1,510 Licenses and Permits 594,510 504,800 Intergovernmental Revenue: State 147,730 158,250 Charges for Services 599,650 519,510 Fines and Forfeits 27,650 23,750 Miscellaneous 17,130 13,820 Interest Earnings 28,500 27,950 Total Revenue 5,631,100 5,690,090 Expenditures General Government 1,300,900 1,334,760 Public Safety 2,456,210 2,510,670 Streets and Highways 755,540 759,040 Culture and Recreation 825,310 763,980 Economic Development 380,810 375,750 Total Expenditures 5,718,770 5,744,200 Excess (deficiency) of revenue and other financing sources over expenditures and other financing uses ($87,670)($54,110) General Fund Balance -- January 1 $3,380,506 $2,741,786 General Fund Balance -- December 31 $2,741,786 $2,601,786 Property tax levy requirement to fund this budget $4,280,080 $4,472,680 2022 General Fund Budget Revenues • General Fund revenues in the 2022 budget are set at $5,099,510. • The property tax levy accounts for approximately 76 percent of the General Fund revenues and will be increased 3.8 percent or $142,600 over the previous year. Expenditures • General Fund expenditures for 2022 total $5,239,510. • Public Safety costs are set to increase by 6.1 percent for the Lake Johanna Fire Department, 0.4 percent for the Ramsey County Sheriff contract, and 10.8 percent for dispatch costs. • Personnel costs are increasing by 1.7 percent due to cost of living adjustments, step increases and health insurance premium increases. The approved budget and tax levy information can be viewed in detail in the December 13 City Council agenda at cityofardenhills.org. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the 2022 budget information concerning the City of Arden Hills for interested citizens. This Budget Summary is published in the format prescribed by Minnesota Statutes Section 471.6965. This report is not the complete city budget. The complete city budget may be viewed at Arden Hills City Hall located at 1245 West Highway 96 or online at www. cityofardenhills.org. The City Council approved this budget on December 13, 2021. EyeOnWater tracks water usage and alerts owners about unusual activity, such as a leaky faucet. Users also receive consumption graphs to visualize their usage throughout the billing cycle. Access this tool online or using the app. Sign up in 3 steps: Want to know how much water you're using? 1. Visit eyeonwater.com/signup 2. Enter your service or billing Postal Code and your account number (all 9 digits with no dash), which can be found on your utility bill 3. Enter your email and create a password Benchmarks - A Review of Recent Council Action December 6, 2021 Special City Council Meeting All items were approved unanimously by a 4–0 vote. • Declared a vacancy on the City Council due to the death of Dave McClung who passed away on December 1, 2021. December 13, 2021 Regular Council Meeting All items were approved unanimously by a 4–0 vote. • Approved the 2022 Fee Schedule • Approved Design Option 3 for the Snelling Avenue North Improvements project, which will provide for a 10 foot separated shared-use trail on the east side of the street. • Appointed Lucas Miller to the position of Assistant Public Works Director, beginning on January 3, 2022 • Appointed the following to new or continuing terms on City Commissions and Committees. Planning Commission: Arlene Mitchell, Joshua Collins, and Jonathan Wicklund as regular members, and Clayton Zimmerman and Steven Jones as alternates. Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee (PTRC): Marie Hinton, Jill Anderson, Tim Nelson and Dan Dietz. • Thanked the following Committee members whose terms have expired for their service to the City. PTRC: Rich Straumann, Harold Petersen, and John Van Valkenburg. Economic Development Committee: Dan Erickson. Financial Planning & Analysis Committee: Arlene Mitchell and David Radziej. • Held the Truth-In-Taxation Public Hearing and: ⸰Set the Final Tax Levy for Taxes Payable in 2022 at $4,472,680, a 4.5% increase over the prior year. ⸰Set the Final Tax Levy – Karth Lake Special Taxing District for Taxes Payable in 2022 at $6,611.00 ⸰Adopted the 2022 Budget, with total revenues of $14,706,120. December 20, 2021 Special City Council Meeting All items were approved unanimously by a 4–0 vote. • Approved a Resolution in support of a Job Creation Fund Application in connection with Project 1492, based on the findings of fact and submitted application for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Job Creation Fund. Project 1492 proposes to purchase the property at 1275 Red Fox Road as a new business in the State to expand its research and development company for medical device manufacturing. January 10, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting All items were approved unanimously by a 5–0 vote, unless otherwise noted. • Appointed David Radziej to the City Council for a term ending December 31, 2022, from a pool of 10 applicants. Accepted Mr. Radziej’s resignation from two citizen committees, Economic Development Committee and Financial Planning & Analysis Committee (4-0 vote of continuing Councilmembers). • Approved the annual Resolution regarding the organization of the City of Arden Hills designating official depositories, the official newspaper, statutory authority, and appointments. • Approved cancellation of January 24 and February 28, 2022 regular City Council meetings. • Accepted the resignation of Customer Service Representative Sue Johnson as of January 6, 2022 and authorized staff to begin the recruitment process for her placement (a job share position). • Authorizing no parking on Snelling Avenue North from MN-51 to County Rd E as required for the utilization Municipal State Aid funds. • Appointed Shelley Blilie as a regular member of the Planning Commission to fill the remaining open position. • Conducted a Public Hearing and approved a Planned Unit Development Amendment for Mounds View High Schools to finalize the road and safety improvements for Lake Valentine Road, and finalize the final design of the parking lot located at 1901 Lake Valentine Road. For a complete listing of recent City Council actions, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on “View Agendas and Minutes.” Through the Hills: City News Snelling Avenue North PMP Preparations are underway for the Snelling Avenue North street and utility improvements from County Road E to Highway 51 and Cummings Lane. Three design options were given for consideration. City Council chose the third option, which includes a new trail to be constructed along the entire length of Snelling Avenue North on the West side. The proposed design eliminates the shoulder area and will add curbing to both sides of the road. Without the shoulder area, there is no space for on-street parking. Currently, the project is scheduled for the 2022 construction season and will be completed the same year. Learn more at cityofardenhills. org/968/Snelling-Avenue-North- Improvements Mounds View High School PUD Mounds View High School received approval for a Planned Unit Development Amendment at the January 10th City Council meeting, finalizing the road and safety improvements for Lake Valentine Road and the parking lot located at 1901 Lake Valentine Road. Traffic and safety improvements along Lake Valentine Road are being completed in two phases. Phase 1 is complete as of 2020. Phase 2 will include installation of a raised center median to provide additional safety for pedestrian crossings, alignment of the access from the north parking lot with the existing drop-off area, and installation of turn lanes into the North parking lot. Construction on the roadway and North parking lot are anticipated to begin near the end of the current school year with completion of the project prior to the start of the next. Residents may experience slower travel times through the area when workers are on-site. The City will continue to share project updates as details become available. Arden Manor Playground Arden Hills was awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to invest in park improvements at Arden Manor Park. Community engagement is a major factor in determining the design and features of the improvements. This project is scheduled for the 2022 construction season and will be completed within the same year. Further updates to come. Intersection at County Road E and Old Snelling Avenue Proposal A study is being conducted by Ramsey County about the intersection of County Road E and Old Snelling Avenue to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the current design. Ultimately, the goal is to create a new design that improves safety conditions and traffic flow. Construction of the intersection is planned for 2023. In 2018, a proposal with a single- lane roundabout offering safety and operational benefits was considered. Since then, traffic volumes have changed; the current project will reevaluate design options with updated data and forecasting from the new study. Ramsey County aims to identify a design that will be more effective now and in the future. For more details visit www.ramseycounty. us/residents/roads-transportation/ future-road-projects/future-road- construction-projects/county-road- e-old-snelling-avenue-intersection. Arden Oaks PMP Street and minor utility improvements are scheduled for the 2022 construction season. Residents within the Arden Oaks neighborhood will experience moderate disruption for about 2 months while under construction. Visit the project webpage for further details and contact info: www.cityofardenhills.org/1035/ Arden-Oaks-Street-Improvements. Crime Prevention Presentation February 17, 2022 1:00-2:30pm at City Hall The Ramsey County Sheriff's Department will give a presentation about how to avoid fraudulent schemes and scams, and securing your home. People of all ages and backgrounds are victimized by clever scams online, over the phone, and even in person. Participants will learn valuable information about how to avoid falling victim to these sometimes hard-to-detect crimes. Sign up at cityofardenhills. org/361/Recreation-Program- Registration or contact Joe Vaughan, City Recreation Supervisor, at 651-792-7848 for more information. Inside 2022 City Budget and Tax Levy Introducing new City Councilmember David Radziej Through the Hills: City News February is Tree Pruning Month! It has been my pleasure to serve with Dave McClung on the City Council since he was elected in 2007. Dave had two areas that were certainly a focus for him and I want to share them with you. The first was the Lake Johanna Fire Department. Dave first began serving the community as the student representative from Mounds View High School to the Lake Johanna Fire Department. When Dave was elected to the City Council, he served numerous times as the city representative to the fire board. While the city representative to the fire board is an important assignment, it’s not one that residents see or think about on a daily or weekly basis, unless of course you need the fire department. It's kind of like turning on your kitchen faucet in the morning to make coffee: you take it for granted, not considering all the contributing factors necessary to make it happen. City staff and the Council work hard, and often behind-the scenes, to ensure that all city services are available to residents. During his time on the fire board, Dave McClung worked to transition Lake Johanna Fire from a volunteer fire department to a 24 -hours a day 7-days a week duty crew fire department. Dave prioritized quick response times to protect the Arden Hills community. He also worked to ensure that the fire department had the equipment and training necessary In Memorium: Remembering Dave McClung to effectively deal with any situation they faced. As one of his last official votes, Dave moved adoption of a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the cities of Arden Hills, Shoreview, and North Oaks. The JPA is the governing document for a future fire station in Arden Hills. Dave’s second area of focus was the city tax levy and budget. He was keenly aware that city taxes are assessed to residents and businesses. He worked to keep taxes and the budget grounded based on real needs. He took pride in having an efficient and cost- effective city government. Our city taxes remain lower than most other cities in our area. Dave grew up in Arden Hills. He worked to serve you, the residents, and businesses of our city which he cared deeply about. He worked for you, because you were important to him. – David Grant, Mayor Postal Customer Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid TWIN CITIES, MN Permit #1710