HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-22 EDAChair:
David Grant
Commissioners:
Brenda Holden
Fran Holmes
Steve Scott
David Radziej
Agenda
October 24, 2022
Address:
1245 West Highway 96
Arden Hills MN 55112
Phone:
651.792.7800
Website:
www.cityofardenhills.org
Economic Development Authority
Immediately Following Regular City Council
City Vision
Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods,
vital business community, well-maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long-standing tradition
as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play.
CALL TO ORDER
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. October 25, 2021
3. NEW BUSINESS
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Gateway Signs Jessica Jagoe
5. EDA MEMBER COMMENTS
6. ADJOURN
Approved: October 24, 2022
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
OCTOBER 25, 2021
6:30 PM – CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Grant called to order the Economic Development
Authority meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Present: EDA Chair David Grant; EDA Commissioners Fran Holmes and Steve Scott
Absent: EDA Commissioners Brenda Holden (Excused) and
Dave McClung (Excused)
Also present: EDA Secretary Dave Perrault; City Planner Jessica Jagoe; and City Clerk Julie
Hanson
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
EDA Commissioner Holmes requested that a discussion about the EDA budget be added to the
Agenda.
EDA Chair Grant added the EDA budget to New Business on the Agenda.
MOTION: EDA Commissioner Scott moved and EDA Commissioner Holmes seconded a
motion to approve the EDA meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried
unanimously (3-0).
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. November 23, 2020 EDA
MOTION: EDA Commissioner Holmes moved and EDA Commissioner Scott seconded a
motion to approve the November 23, 2020, Economic Development Authority
Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (3-0).
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. EDA Budget
ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – October 25, 2021 2
EDA Commissioner Holmes stated that the 3rd Quarter Financials will be on the regular Council
agenda that evening and the item includes the EDA Budget. She stated that while the EDA is
somewhat dormant at this time, each year there is $100,000 put in the EDA account and then expenses
are later allocated. She said that it seems like money is being pushed back and forth.
EDA Commissioner Holmes indicated that it appears gateway signs is the only item in the works, and
if the Council should want a gateway sign, funds from the general budget could be used. She said
having the EDA seems like a lot of work for nothing, though she realized the prior City Administrator,
Pat Klaers, thought it was very important to have an EDA. She said the group has not done much and
wondered if the EDA could be put in a dormant status until it is needed.
EDA Chair Grant stated the group must have at least one meeting a year.
EDA Secretary Perrault concurred that City Code states the EDA must meet at least once per year.
EDA Chair Grant stated that gateway signs could be purchased using the general fund, but that it
makes sense to use EDA funds. He also indicated that while he thinks there should be a gateway sign
done next year, there are others on the Council that may not agree.
EDA Chair Grant noted that the EDA is separate from the City and has certain powers the City does
not have. He stated that because we do not know what TCAAP will bring, we don’t want to try to
reconstitute an EDA later.
EDA Commissioner Holmes suggested the EDA have a financial dormancy status as there is no
revenue source.
A discussion ensued about the $100,000 EDA fund allocations. The consensus was to leave the EDA
functioning as is.
EDA Commissioner Holmes withdrew her comments.
4. EDA MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
5. ADJOURN
MOTION: EDA Commissioner Holmes moved and EDA Commissioner Scot seconded a
motion to adjourn the Economic Development Authority meeting. The motion
carried unanimously (3-0).
EDA Chair Grant adjourned the Economic Development Authority meeting at 6:45 p.m.
__________________________ __________________________
Julie Hanson David Grant
City Clerk EDA Chair
Page 1 of 1
AGENDA ITEM – 4A
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 24, 2022
TO: EDA Chair and Commissioners
Dave Perrault, City Administrator
FROM: Jessica Jagoe, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Gateway Signs
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
N/A N/A N/A
EDA Chair and Commissioners Should Consider
The Commissioners should provide direction to city staff on scheduling a future EDA meeting to
discuss gateway signs.
Background
At the January 2018 work session meeting, the City Council reviewed the conceptual plans for the
installation of gateways signs. Initially there were six potential locations for gateway signs with
Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue being identified as the priority location. A conceptual design
and cost analysis was prepared by WSB.
The 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan has benchmarks for construction of gateway signs in
2024 and 2026. Based on this information, staff seeks direction from the EDA on scheduling a
future meeting to discuss the installation of gateway signs.
Discussion:
Staff requests direction from the EDA on scheduling a future meeting potentially in the 1st quarter
of 2023 for discussion of gateway signs.
Budget Impact
N/A
Attachments
A. 2018 Work Session Memo
B. 2023 CIP
Page 1 of 2
DATE: January 16, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
Dave Perrault, City Administrator
FROM: Matthew Bachler, City Planner
Sue Polka, Public Works Director/City Engineer
SUBJECT: Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue Gateway Sign
Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source:
N/A N/A N/A
Council Should Consider
Review conceptual plans for the Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue gateway sign and provide
direction to staff.
Background
The adopted 2018-2022 Capital Improvement Plan includes $80,000 for gateway sign construction
in 2018. At their work session on June 19, 2017, the City Council discussed using the funds
budgeted in 2018 for a gateway sign at Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue. In August 2017, staff
began working with WSB & Associates on a concept design plan and cost estimate for the gateway
sign. Staff from WSB will be in attendance at the work session on January 16, 2018 to present the
concept design plan.
To date, gateway signs have been installed at the following locations:
County Road E2 at Cleveland Avenue
County Road D at Cleveland Avenue
County Road D at New Brighton Road/Lake Johanna Boulevard (Triangle Property)
The approximate cost of the signs for these past projects has been $10,000. The project at the
Triangle Property included additional landscaping and irrigation improvements, and staff has
estimated the total cost of this project (including the sign) at between $30,000 and $45,000. Staff
had anticipated the cost of the gateway sign at Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue to be more than
these previous signs due to the larger scale of the project.
AGENDA ITEM 1I
MEMORANDUM
Page 2 of 2
Discussion
Location
Staff evaluated the feasibility of locating a gateway sign in the northwest or southwest corner of
the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Highway 96. The southwest corner was selected due to
a significant grade change at the northwest corner from the road to a wetland. WSB completed a
topographical survey of the area to locate curb lines, walkways, lights, utilities, trees, and right -
of-way. The sign would be located in Ramsey County right-of-way and coordination with the
County would be required.
Concept Design
WSB prepared a concept design for the gateway sign for the City Council to consider (Attachment
B). Staff provided information on past design plans so that the sign is consistent in style with other
monument signs. The plans took into consideration the following:
Travel speed
Size of sign/text for readability
Setbacks from roadway curb and walkways
Viewing orientation
Constructability
The sign would be oriented towards the intersection to maximize visibility and would be setback
approximately 30 feet from the public trail along Highwa y 96 and Lexington Avenue. The sign
would have a curved face running 40 feet in length with a height of 10 feet. A perennial planting
bed is shown in front of the sign and a mix of aspen and coniferous trees and shrubs behind the
sign. Electrical service would be provided to illuminate the sign lettering.
Cost Estimates
WSB has provided an estimate of the construction cost in Attachment C. The estimate includes the
cost of the sign itself, site preparation, landscaping, and electrical service. This subtotal cost is
estimated at $193,150. With contingencies and construction administration included, the estimated
total is $260,753.
WSB has identified two potential cost reduction items: replacing the proposed stone veneer with
simulated concrete stone, and reducing the length of the sign from 40 feet to 22 feet. The associated
cost savings with these changes are included in Attachment C.
Potential add-on items include sign wing walls (shown in the concept plan rendering), uplighting,
and irrigation. These items are not included in the current estimated total.
Attachments
A. Aerial Map
B. Concept Plan
C. Cost Estimate
Capital Improvement Plan
City of Arden Hills, Minnesota Contact Community Devl Dir
2023 2027
thru Department Economic Development
Description
Install gateway signs at major entry points to the City. Potential locations for signs include: (1) Highway 96 at Round Lake Road, (2) Highway 96
at Lexington Avenue, (3) County Road E at Highway 51, (4) County Road E at Lexington Avenue, (5) Lexington Avenue at County Road F, and
(6) Lexington Avenue at County Road D. Potential sign locations are not listed in order of priority and are subject to change.
There are three existing gateway signs in the following locations: (1) County Road E2 at I-35W, (2) County Road D at Cleveland Avenue, and (3)
Lake Johanna Boulevard at the Roseville border.
The City has discussed completing the gateway sign at Highway 96 and Lexington Avenue as being a priority.
Staff has budgeted for the completion of an additional gateway sign in 2026 at a location to be determined.
Project #24-EDA-001
Priority n/a
Justification
Advance the economic development goals in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Implement the Guiding Plan for the B2 District. Work to better
identify the entrance points to the City for businesses and visitors. Foster civic pride and community identity.
Budget Impact/Other
Annual maintenance costs for sign cleaning and care of landscaping is estimated by the Public Works Department at $500 per sign annually.
Useful LifeProject Name Gateway Signs Category Economic Devl Improvement
Type Improvement
TCAAP No
Total Project Cost:$310,000
Total2023 2024 2025 2026 2027Expenditures
310,000270,000 40,000Construction/Maintenance
270,000 40,000 310,000Total
Total2023 2024 2025 2026 2027Funding Sources
310,000270,000 40,000EDA General Fund
270,000 40,000 310,000Total
Produced Using the Plan-It Capital Planning Software