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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02 Jan/Feb 2023 Arden Hills NotesArden Hills notes • JAnuAry /FebruAry 2023 • 1 The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents January/February 2023 City Adopts Budget and Approves Tax Levy The annual Truth-in-Taxation Hearing was held on December 12, 2022 at Arden Hills City Hall. City staff presented information regarding the 2023 budget and tax levy. The City Council adopted a 2023 property tax levy of $4,718,680. This sets the city’s property tax levy increase for 2023 at 5.5 percent, which is less than the preliminary levy rate set in September 2022 of 7.0 percent. In 2023, the city tax rate is projected to decrease by 9.0 percent. The tax rate is just one factor in calculating a tax bill, and with median property values increasing by 15.33 percent, many property owners will see their total tax bills increase. Home values are determined by the Ramsey County Assessor’s Office. The impact of a 5.5% levy increase translates to a $56.87 increase in annual city taxes, or a $4.74 increase per month, 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 ($4,098,680), the Economic Development Authority Fund ($100,000), and Capital Funds ($520,000). What your Arden Hills Tax Dollar Buys You TYPE OF TRANSACTION BALANCE Public Safety $39.11 General Government $18.58 Parks & Recreation $11.23 Public Works $11.43 Capital $ 7.46 EDA $ 1.43 TOTAL PER MONTH $89.24 A $443,550 home (the average in Arden Hills) generates $1,071 in annual City property taxes, or $89.24 per month for 2023. (article continued on page 3) Mayor Grant, Councilmember Holden, and local business representatives celebrate the kickoff of the "Welcome Back to Lexington" campaign. Welcome Back to Lexington Campaign Kickoff Mayor Grant, Councilmember Holden, City Staff, and other stakeholders kicked off the "Welcome Back to Lexington" campaign on January 17 at the Shoreview YMCA. The Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce (TCN), in partnership with the cities of Arden Hills and Shoreview, has been awarded a Critical Corridors Grant from Ramsey County. This grant, along with contributions from Arden Hills and Shoreview, has funded the campaign to promote local businesses and encourage shoppers to patronize the many establishments along Lexington Avenue. TCN's goal is to provide support and assistance to the lcoal businesses who were impacted by the Lexington Avenue construction project. You can find more information on the campaign at www.backtolexington.com Service Directory Arden Hills City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Office Hours Monday–Friday: 8:00 am–4:30 pm Sheriff and Fire 911 - Emergency & Non-Emergency Water and Sewer Problems (During non-business hours) 651-767-0640 Mayor David Grant • 651-538-0747 dgrant@cityofardenhills.org City Councilmembers Brenda Holden • 651-636-2987 bholden@cityofardenhills.org Emily Rousseau • 651-792-7856 erousseau@cityofardenhills.org Tena Monson • 612-758-0695 tmonson@cityofardenhills.org Thomas Fabel • 651-303-3611 tfabel@cityofardenhills.org City Administrator Dave Perrault • 651-792-7824 dperrault@cityofardenhills.org Communications Coordinator 651-792-7800 City Council Liason Thomas Fabel Resident Resources cityofardenhills.org/resident-resources Council meetings are held at City Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7 pm. Meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. Work Sessions and 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. 2 • Arden Hills notes • JAn/Feb '23 Speed Limit Change in Effect February 2023 In December, 2022, the City Council voted in favor of decreasing the Citywide speed limit on city streets to 25 mph. The ordinance change went into effect on February 1, 2023. Roads under the jurisdiction of the City have been posted in accordance with an implementation plan approved by the City Council. This ordinance change does not include state or county roadways. City News The City of Arden Hills is looking for an Arden Hills Resident to volunteer to serve as the TCAAP Joint Development Authority (JDA) Chair for a term ending December 31, 2024. The JDA approves development projects in TCAAP. Application deadline is February 24. Visit www.cityofardenhills.org/133/Joint-Development-Authority-JDA for more information. TCAAP JDA Chair Applications Now Being Accepted Closure of City Buildings on February 20th City Offices will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of Presidents Day. 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 www.cityofardenhills. org/411/Tree-Service-License to find licensed tree trimming contractors. 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. February is the Best Time to Prune cityoFArdenHills.org • JAnuAry/FebruAry 2023 • 3 City Adopts Budget and Approves Tax Levy - Continued from Page 1 Budgeted Governmental Funds General and Special Revenue Funds 2022 Budget 2023 Budget Revenue Taxes: Property Taxes $3,950,850 $4,170,490 Tax Increments 377,180 0 Other 112,470 102,400 Special Assessments 1,510 3,350 Licenses and Permits 504,800 511,730 Intergovernmental Revenue: State 158,250 171,370 Charges for Services 519,510 525,550 Fines and Forfeits 23,750 23,190 Miscellaneous 13,820 13,340 Interest Earnings 27,950 42,500 Total Revenue 5,690,090 5,563,920 Expenditures General Government 1,334,760 1,431,300 Public Safety 2,510,670 2,655,800 Streets and Highways 759,040 796,430 Culture and Recreation 763,980 782,720 Economic Development 375,750 93,250 Total Expenditures 5,744,200 5,759,500 Excess (deficiency) of revenue and other financing sources over expenditures and other financing uses ($54,110)($195,580) General Fund Balance - January 1 $3,169,812 $2,749,992 General Fund Balance - December 31 $2,749,992 $2,589,232 Property tax levy requirement to fund this budget $4,472,680 $4,718,680 Round Lake Senior Living Ribbon Cutting On January 5, 2023, Trident Development opened their new senior living facility at 1740 Parkshore Drive. Mayor David Grant, City Councilmembers Tom Fabel, Brenda Holden, and several City staff joined Round Lake Senior Living Facility staff to celebrate the exciting addition to Arden Hills. The senior living facility is open and ready for new residents, offering residents a range of services and amenities that include independent living, assisted living, memory care services, and skilled nursing. The Council adopted a 2023 city budget of $15,926,830, which includes the General Fund, Special Revenue Funds, Capital Funds and Utilities. 2022 General Fund Budget Revenues • General Fund revenues in the 2023 budget are set at $5,369,420. • The property tax levy accounts for approximately 76% of the General Fund revenues and will be increased 5.0%, or $196,000, over the previous year. Expenditures • General Fund expenditures for 2023 total $5,530,180. • Public Safety costs are set to increase by 7.8% for the Lake Johanna Fire Department, 4.0% for the Ramsey County Sheriff contract, and 11.2% for dispatch costs. • Personnel costs are increasing by 6.2% 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 12 City Council agenda at www.cityofardenhills.org. The purpose of the table to the right is to provide summary 2023 budget information concerning the City of Arden Hills to interested citizens. This budget summary is published in the format prescribed by Minnesota Statutes Section 471.6965. This is not the complete city budget; the complete city budget may be examined 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 12, 2022. Round Lake Senior Living staff members cut the ribbon at their grand opening. 4 • Arden Hills notes • JAnuA ry/FebruAry 2023 City Council Benchmarks City Council Benchmarks All votes 5-0 unless otherwise noted. December 19, 2022 Special City Council Meeting • Approved Resolution 2022-058 permitting a front yard setback variance at 1861 Highway 96. • Approved staff to order the replacement of the 2012 International Plow Truck, Unit 115 for 2025 Mack Granite 42FR Single Axle. • Approved Agency Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for Federal Participation in Construction. January 9, 2023 City Council Meeting • Approved Resolution 2023-001 naming the St. Paul Pioneer Press as the official newspaper for legal notices; reappointed Campbell Knutson, P.A. as city attorney with Joel Jamnik as primary city attorney; reappointed Ehlers & Associates, Inc. as financial consultant; and reappointed Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich and Company (MMKR) as auditor. • Approved right-of-way temporary easement costs for Mounds View High School Trail improvements. • Approved Resolution 2023-002 relating to the 2023 resident appointments and chairs of the City’s Commissions and Committees. • Approved Professional Services Agreement with HR Green for Arden Manor and Floral Parks playground replacements. • Approved Cooperative Agreement with Ramsey County for right-of-way acquisition and design for the roundabout at Old Snelling and County Road E. (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) • Approved suspension of Mayoral Privilege for appointments to City Committees and Commissions. (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) • Approved Resolution 2023-003 appointing Emily Rousseau as the 2023 Mayor Pro-Tem. (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) • Approved Resolution 2023-004 appointing City Council Liaisons for 2023 as follows: Emily Rousseau (Planning Commission and PTRC), Tom Fabel (Communications and Personnel), Tena Monson (Lake Johanna Fire Department Board of Directors/Relief Association Representative and Fire Department Headquarters JPA Representative) and David Grant (Personnel and Twin Cities Gateway). Resident Eileen Scott was appointed as the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon/Military Liaison. (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) • Rescinded 2022 TCAAP JDA appointments of David Grant and Brian Holmes. (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) • Appointed Fabel and Monson as JDA Commissioners for the 2023-2024 term. (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) • Approved directing staff to move forward with the process of an ordinance amendment - Chapter 2, Subsections 220.01 and 220.03 (approved on a 3-2 vote, Grant and Holden opposed) Note: the City Council will formally take action on the proposed amendment at its February 13 regular City Council meeting. For a complete listing of recent City Council actions, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on “View Agendas and Minutes.” cityoFArdenH ills.org • JAnuAry /FebruAry 2023 • 5 City of Arden Hills Now Hiring Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid TWIN CITIES, MN Permit #1710 Arden Hills notes • JAnuAry/FebruAry 2023 • 6 2023 Tax Levy and General Fund Budget TCAAP JDA Chair Applications are Open Welcome Back to Lexington Campaign Speed Limit Decrease in Effect on 2/1/23 Postal Customer CPC Commemorative Opening Ceremony of New Headquarters On January 10th, Colder Products Company (CPC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new corporate headquarters at 4200 Round Lake Road West in Arden Hills. Mayor David Grant and Councilmember Brenda Holden were in attendance along with members of CPC’s Executive Team and members of City Staff. The new facility houses CPC’s medical and industrial production, engineering and marketing operations, along with its thermal management business, which specializes in liquid cooling innovations for high-performance computers and data centers, electric vehicle charging, and more. Arden Hills is excited to welcome about 500 of their employees to our community. CPC has other locations in Roseville, Minneapolis and internationally, with nearly 750 employees worldwide. CPC is the leading provider of quick disconnect coupling, fittings, and connectors for life sciences, biopharma, and chemical handling markets. Mayor Grant, Councilmember Holden, City Staff and CPC Executive leaders at CPC's new corporate headquarters.