HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary-February 2010 ECR-WSS
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I Arden Hills,MN• 55112-5734 St.Paul,MN
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n City sets 2010 levy
S Allina ambulance service The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents January/February 2010
• POSTAL CUSTOMER -
t
d City seeking administrator Arden Hills City Council sets 2010 tax levy
e Workforce housing plans small tax levy increase in 2010 Unallotment
will maintain City services The Market Value Homestead
hile compensating for Credit is a state deduction on most
increases in public safety contracts homeowners'local property taxes. 'The City Arden Hills has set
to
and the unallotment of a State rebate. The State is supposed to reimburse the 2010 tax levy at$3.02 million
local units of government for their lost
Notes from the City COUnCII On December 14 the City Council set revenues.But the State gave Arden •This is a 2.3%increase over 2009
the 2010 levy at$3.02 million,a 2.3 Hills only a partial reimbursement in
percent increase. 2008 and no reimbursement in 2009 •City taxes on a median-value
would like to wish you all a interim,Sue Iverson has been appointed the country's population.As a result and 2010.That's a loss of$66,000 for house will increase by about$15
happy and prosperous new year. as the Acting City Administrator. we need everyone to be counted to Taxes on amedian-valued 2010. in 2010.
A start of a new year always invites help maintain our state's influence in home($2 meth)will increase
us to review the events of the past and The financial status of Arden Hills Washington, D.C. approximately$15 in 2010. Other cuts •The City's total 2010 budget is
look forward to new events. remains strong and stable. We are The total 2010 budget is$11.26 $11.26 million,a 6.5%decrease
not affected by reductions in local In closing,I would like to ask everyone Increases on the City's public million a 6.5 percent decrease. from 2009
Last year's most significant event government aid and have held the to consider volunteering to serve on safety service contracts equate to a Reduced TCAAP-related expenses and
was the decision by the developer to operational expenses level. This a City committee. We currently have 2.1 percent levy increase,and the fewer capital improvement projects •In addition to the le City
pull out of the agreement to purchase past year we were able to replace several openings on each committee levy, n'
Governor's unallotment of the Market contributed to the overall decrease. revenue comes from inter ov-
and develop the TCAAP property. several streets at a good value,and we and would welcome your participation. g
Value Homestead Credit required ernmental revenue, licenses and
This decision was based on the plan to continue to look for similar another 1.1 percent increase. Spending The total capital improvement budget
economic difficulty for new property opportunities this coming year. Best wishes and happy new year, p p g fees for licenses and permits,
cuts in other areas reduced the levy is$3.11 million.Major projects fines,and charges for services
development during the recession. g
increase by 0.9 percent for a net planned for 2010 include: sanitary such as utilities
Recently the City has been working The federal Census will be conducted / ( )•
�,�,(� increase of 2.3 percent sewer line improvements,new trail
with Ramsey County to complete the in the next few months. An accurate
transfer of the wildlife corridor and and complete census is critical for the along Old Highway extension
Public safety of the Elmer L.Anderson Memorial
trail connections to the county,before City and State. The State of Minnesota Stan Harpstead,Mayor Police and fire protection make up Trail,and road improvements on
the land is sold at auction.While is very close to losing a congressional p wanted to make even more cuts
more than a third of the City's general Snelling Avenue,Katie Lane,and in while other members believed most
the process has shifted to an auction seat based on the redistribution of fund operating costs.The City's the Valentine Avenue neighborhood.g residents are willing to pay a little
format,over the years Arden Hills, contribution to the Lake Johanna Fire more to maintain City services.
along with neighboring communities, Department budget increased 5.6
HELP WANTED. P g Other budget cuts include eliminating
has shaped future land-use plans and
percent while the Ramsey County the open assistant city administrator The Council didn't decrease staff's
these plans are still in place. The City of Arden Hills currently has openings on the following Sheriff's Department contract osition and reducin the recordin
commissions and committees: p g g proposed budget.Thus the$41,000
At the end of 2009,City Administrator increased 1.1 percent and fees for secretary budget and Northwest Youth will come from reserves unless cost
h Communications(newsletter committee) the new 911 dispatch center jumped and FamilyServices contribution.
Ron Moorse left the City of Arden savings or new revenue is generated
•Economic Development Commission 17.4 percent. Some Council members This year's budget doesn't include any over the course of the year.
Hills.The City has retained Richard questioned some elements of the fire
Financial Planning and Analysis Committee q contingency funds to cover unexpected
Fursman of the Brimeyer Group
to conduct a search for a new city •Parks,Trails,and Recreation Committee and sheriff expenditures and called for expenses.
additional oversight over their future
administrator. This transition process • Planning Commission budgets.Aside from the contracts, More cuts?
is well underway.In the meantime other City operating costs remain The$3.02 million levy is$41,000 less
the City is well served by a senior Contact City Hall for more information or for an application. relatively flat. than what City staff had proposed.
leadership team that has served Arden
Hills for the past three years.In the __ - — The Council approved the reduction
on a 3-2 vote. Some Council members
BetlChfllaf kS A Review of Recent City Council Action It'
City Service Directory News from Around the Town
1245 West Highway 96
Arden Hills,MN 55I12-5734
Allina provides ambulance service to Arden Hills November 10,2009 •Tabled the park bench donation December 14,2009
Office Hours CLOSED CITY COUNCIL MEETING program policy for additional •Adopted Ordinance 2009-013 setting
8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., f you slip,fall,and break your leg on the ice left over from Christmas,it is Council met to discuss City information and language changes the 2010 fee schedule and adopting a
Monday through Friday likely that your 911 call will elicit responses from three public safety Administrator Ron Moorse (5-0) summary of ordinance 2009-013 for
agencies.The first responder may be a Ramsey County deputy sheriff. as a follow up to a May 2009 publication(5-0)
651-792-7800 Historically,the Sheriff's Department has provided assistance on all medical performance review session. It was •Adopted Resolution 2009-036
www.d.arden-hills.mn.us calls in Arden Hills.The second determined that City Administrator giving preliminary approval to •Approved 2010 liquor license renewal
responder may be a squad from the Moorse's last day with the City the proposed issuance of revenue applications(5-0)
Sheriff and Fire Emergency p
g y Johanna Department(LJFD).Lake Joh Fire De LJFD V 80 �® ®� would be January 10,2010.This was notes to Northwestern College
911 The LJFD is transitioning into the role endorsed by a unanimous vote of the (preliminary approval for tax exempt •Approved the 2010 employee
Sheriff(non-emergency) of first responder,taking over those ® -® _ City Council. conduit financing for a project on the compensation plan for non-union
651-484-3366 duties from the Sheriff.The third uleuuuct®= AM9U Northwestern College campus)(5-0) employees(5-0)
responder will be an ambulance crew November 16,2009
Fire(non-emergency) from Allina Health System. _ 1 ���' SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING •Directed staff to move forward with •Adopted Resolution 2009-039 setting
651-633-2404 - Approved a TCAAP Reuse Statement the proposed design for the Elmer the City contribution to employee
Water and Sewer Problems THE RELATIONSHIP between Arden (states that the Comprehensive Plan L.Anderson Memorial Trail signage monthly benefits(5-0)
Hills and Allina differs from the City's will be the basis for all land use and production of detailed sign
(During non-business hours) P g
651-484-3366 relationship with the LJFD and the Sheriff.The City contracts with the LJFD regulations relating to the TCAAP land specifications(5-0) -Tabled a motion to approve a payment
and the Sheriff for services and pays an annual fee to each agency.The City and spells out the reuse expectations to the Lake Johanna Fire Department
Mayor: receives services from Allina Health Systems based on a scheme established and considerations of the City)(5-0) •Tabled Planning Case 09-020 for a for(a)the City's share of the second
Stan Harpstead 651-604-9097 by the Minnesota legislature creating"primary service areas"for ambulance conditional use permit at 2 Pine Tree of three annual payments for the
Councilmembers: services throughout the entire state.Arden Hills lies within the north metro
David Grant 651-633-4187 g November 30,2009 Drive for additional information(5-0) demonstrator ladder truck purchased
Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 primary service area,and Allina is the sole provider of ambulance service for • Approved cancellation of the in 2008 and (b)the City's share of
Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 communities within that area by virtue of the license issued by the State.The December 28 City Council meeting •Adopted Ordinance 2009-014 for the the cost of replacing Car 1 and the
Dave McClung 651-332-0352 north metro service area includes the northern cities in Ramsey County,parts and the December 23 TCAAP Work electric distribution and transmission City's share of capital reimbursement
of Anoka County,and all of Isanti County.Arden Hills does not pay Allina for session(5-0) franchise agreement with Xcel to the City of Shoreview(tabled for
Acting City Administrator: providing this service;rather,Allina bills a customer for its service when the Energy and Ordinance 2009-015 for further clarification until the next
Sue Iverson 651-792-7816 �'
Allina ambulance responds to a call. In many instances,a third party,such as •Adopted Resolution 2009-035 the natural gas franchise agreement Council meeting)(5-0)
Communications Committee an insurance company,pays the fee. requesting a variance from state with Xcel Energy(5-0) ;
Arlene Mitchell,editor;Kristine standards for the Old Snelling Avenue •Adopted Resolution 2009-037
Goodrich;Brenda Holden;Dorothy THE STATUTORY SCHEME CREATING SERVICE AREAS insures that all parts of the Trail CP Rail Underpass(current -Tabled the renewal of the Ramsey adopting and confirming the annual
McClung state have ambulance services available.Providing ambulance services to the state standards if using state aid County Sheriff's Department special assessments for delinquent
Council Liaison: Dave McClung less densely populated areas of the state creates unique issues.In the more road funding require a 12 foot trail; agreement for police services for utilities(5-0)
Staff•Liaison: Becky Brazys denselypopulated areas,without this statewide scheme competition from
p p � p however,existing conditions will additional information(5-0)
Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek
independent services could create other issues. only allow for an eight-foot trail) •Tabled motion authorizing staff to
Council meetings are held at City Hall (5-0) December 10,2009 enter into a lease agreement with
on the second and last Monday of the ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM HAS A TEN-MINUTE RESPONSE STANDARD,but Mark SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Pitney Bowes to lease a RISO
month at 7 p.m.Meetings are televised Duscalus of Allina stressed that Allina prefers to look at outcomes,not just Approved payment#2 to Pearson (Holmes excused) HC5500 document printer at a cost
live on Cable Channel 16.Meetings of response times. For example,Allina believes that whether a heart attack victim
the Planning Commission are televised p p Bros.,Inc.,in the amount of$4,834 Appointed Sue Iverson as Acting of$511 per month for additional
live at 7 p.m.on the first Wednesday of is successfully resuscitated should be a more important measure of performance for the 2009 crack repair and seal coat City Administrator until such time as information(5-0)
the month.Playbacks of City meetings than how many minutes it took to get to the victim.Allina invests at least project(5-0) another City Administrator,interim or
begin the morning after the meeting and $150,000 in each ambulance,and the annual cost to staff each ambulance is permanent,is appointed(4-0) •Adopted Resolution 2009-042 to
continue every day until the next City $150,000.Allina's north metro district ambulances area art of a ve ll
meeting.Playbacks are 3 a.m.,11 a.m., p D sma •Approved a renewal agreement with modify the development program for
and 7 p.m.Monday through Friday,and group of ambulances that carry the newest equipment for heart resuscitations. Northwest Youth and Family Services Development District No. 1 and to
7 a.m.,2 p.m.,and 10 p.m.on Saturday for a four-year term beginning modify the tax increment financing
and Sunday.For web casts,visit www. THE LEVEL OF SERVICE AND SATISFACTION WITH SERVICE DELIVERY is Important to January 1,2010(provision of youth plan for Tax Increment Financing
ctv15.org. Allina despite the fact that Allina does not contract with Arden Hills according p � g and family counseling and other District#3 (The existing Cottage
Arden Hills Notes is the official newslet- to Mr.Duscalus.Allina meets regularly with the Chief of the LJFD and the city human service programs)(5-0) Villa TIF District is set to
ter of the City ofArden Hills,an equal- managers of the Ramsey County cities served by them.The Allina substation
opportunity employer. serving our immediate area is located in Arden Hills on North Dunlap Street. (Continued on page 4)
2 3
BenchmarkS A Review of Recent City Council Action It'
expire on December 31,2009. State January 11,2010 • Approved an increase to the salary
statute allows the City to extend the •Adopted Resolution 2010-001 range for the City Administrator to
district until December 31,2019, relating to the organization of $90,000-$115,000(4-1 Holden)
allowing funds captured from the the City of Arden Hills,such as
district to be used on future housing naming the official depository •Tabled discussion on the formation
projects in the City)(4-1 Holden) official newspaper,and other of a personnel committee to a work
administrative items(5-0) session(5-0)
•Adopted Resolution 2009-038
receiving the 2010 Pavement •Adopted Resolution 2010-003 making • Approved TCAAP work session
Management Program feasibility appointments to City Commissions schedule(establishes TCAAP work
report and ordering a public hearing and Committees(5-0) sessions every second and last
for proposed improvements on Monday from 6 to 7 p.m.,prior to the
January 11,2010(reconstruction of • Approved the Recreation Fee regular City Council meeting)(4-1
Valentine Avenue,Valentine Crest Assistance program guidelines(5-0) Holden)
Road,and Valentine Court,and mill
and overlay of Janet Court,Katie • Approved the Park Bench donation Approved a payment in the amount
Lane,and Katie Court)(5-0) program(5-0) of$55,975 to the Lake Johanna Fire
Department for City's share of the
• Approved the 2010 Capital •Accepted the resignation of second of three annual payments
Improvement Plan(CIP)as presented Janet Stodola from the Planning for the demonstrator ladder truck
in the amount of$3,105,335; Commission(5-0) purchased in 2008,with funds to
adopted Resolution 2009-040 setting come from the 2010 budget;and
the proposed 2010 budget in the •Adopted Resolution 2010-002 approved a payment in the amount
amount of$11,262,180;and adopted ordering public improvement of$25,774 to the Lake Johanna Fire
Resolution 2009-04 setting the final and preparation of plans and Department for City's share of the
levy for taxes payable in 2010 to an specifications for the 2010 Pavement cost of replacing Car 1,plus the cost
amount of$3,016,465,for a 2.3% Management Program(reconstruction of the capital reimbursement of the
increase over 2009(See article in this of Valentine Avenue,Valentine Crest City of Shoreview,with funds to
issue) Road,and Valentine Court,and mill come from the 2009 budget(5-0)
and overlay of Janet Court,Katie
• Approved Planning Case 09-020 for Lane,and Katie Court)(4-1 Grant)
a conditional use permit at 2 Pine
Tree Drive(to install communications •Tabled Resolution 2010-004
antennas and related equipment supporting and endorsing legislation
on the existing Country Insurance that provides additional financing of
building to provide in-home wireless parks,trails,and recreational facilities
internet service coverage as part of a for local units of government by
larger wireless network)(5-0) special assessments(tabled to a work
session)(5-0)
• Authorized the purchase of a 2010 K-9 Foundation
Ford F-350 and related equipment Approved staff recommendation to Dinner is March 28
from Truck Utilities Inc. for an withdraw the City's application from
amount not to exceed$29,000 plus the municipal agreement program The Ramsey County K-9 Foundation
tax,license,and registration(5-0) and directed staff to continue to work y hosting is fourth annual all-
with Mn/DOT to pursue a bridge you-can-eat.spaghetti dinner fund
•Began discussion of the Police improvement project that includes raiser on Sunday, March 28, from
Services agreement with Ramsey pedestrian accommodations(staff 4 re 7 Statp.mion,
at the Arcade
Heights
County Sheriff's Department(Having updated Council on developments Fire Station, 3595 Arcade Street.
requested more information from related to the County Road E/ Tickets are $ for adults and $5
staff and with the three-hour meeting Highway 51 bridge pedestrian for children.Proceeds go training
limit reached,a motion to adjourn improvements plan)(5-0) and equipment for the K-9 unit.For
was made and approved,ending more information Call Cheryl Hiner
at
further discussion at this time.) (3-2 6 or Lisa Daly at
Harpstead,McClung) 651-248-24-7512 48-2498.
4
Workforce housing plans move forward
rden Village,LLC,an entity In anticipation of MHFA approval
owned by Sand Companies of of the housing tax credits,the
Waite Park,Minnesota,has applicant filed its application for What is workforce housing?
filed an application with the City a planned unit development,a "Workforce housing"is a relatively new
asking for permission to construct a replatting of the property,a rezoning, term in planning circles.In general,the
55-unit,four-story apartment building and an amendment to the City's
in Arden Hills in order to provide comprehensive plan.In December the term is applied to housing that
workforce housing.The proposed Planning Commission reviewed the • affordable(sometimes defined as no
building will be located at 1296 application and recommended that the more than n0 percent household
County Road F on a 2.76 acre site City Council approve the application, income going to housing)
that is sandwiched between the Land with several conditions.The site is appeals to gainfully employed,
O'Lakes campus to its east and the currently zoned for limited industrial essential workers in the community
Bethel College administrative building use,and the request is to change (i.e.,teachers,nurses,police
to its west.The site currently contains the zoning to a multiple dwelling officers,fire fighters,office workers,
a communications tower and a 1,600 district.The current version of the technicians,and so on)
square-foot equipment building. Comprehensive Plan shows the site often located near employment
The site is bounded on the south by to be used for utilities.Amending the centers
Interstate 694. Plan requires action by the City and
approval by the Metropolitan Council.
Last year,the applicant asked the City
Council for a letter supporting its plans City Council members toured the site the development.As part of the park
to build this workforce housing and a with the applicant on January 16 and dedication requirement,the applicant
request for housing tax credits from the will consider the Planning Commission is proposing to construct a sidewalk
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency recommendation in February. If the along the northern border of the site
(MHFA). The City did issue the letter Council approves the recommendation, connecting to the sidewalk recently
of support and suggested that if the the applicant will begin the process of constructed by Land O'Lakes that
housing tax credits were approved, requesting Tax Increment Financing extends east to Lexington Avenue.
the City would consider some type from the City after the MHFA makes a More information is included in the
of financial support if the proposed final decision on the tax credits. December Planning Commission
project met all applicable state statutes packet which can be found on the
and City requirements.The MHFA did The 55 rental units will have one,two, City's website.Just click on the
not grant tax credits to Arden Village or three bedrooms with underground Council and Committees tab.
during the January Round.Arden as well as surface parking. The
Village will reapply for consideration applicant intends to include green
later this year. technologies and building practices in
City seeks new administrator
ue Iverson was appointed recent experience in organizational Fursman will review each application
Arden Hills'Acting City development.The Brimeyer Group has and compare the applicant's history
Administrator at the end of last been involved with executive searches to the Position Profile,looking for
year.Iverson retains her duties as the for over 20 years with extensive those applicants that come closest to a
City's Finance Director but will fulfill experience in local government best fit.The Brimeyer Group will do
the duties as City Administrator until a recruitment. preliminary interviews with a dozen
new Administrator is appointed by the or more applicants and will ultimately
City Council. Fursman presented a Position Profile report back to the Council a list of ten
for the City Administrator to the City for further consideration.
The City has retained The Brimeyer Council on January 11.The Position
Group to assist the City in finding a Profile serves as the primary recruiting The City Council will probably
new permanent City Administrator. tool.The actual recruiting process narrow the candidate pool to five
Richard Fursman,President of began after the Council approved the or less applicants.Interviews are
Brimeyer Group,is responsible for the Profile and applications were accepted tentatively scheduled for late March.
Arden Hills search.Fursman himself until mid-February. An appointment may be made by early
has experience as City Manager April.
for Maplewood as well as more 5