HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2010 ECR-WSS
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I Arden Hills,MN• 55112-5734
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n City reaffirms TCAAP concept
S The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents March 2010
l LJFD moves to fulltime staffing POSTAL CUSTOMER
City Council reaffirms TCAAP development plan Give your
d Park and recreation news
he City Council recently DEVELOPMENT PARTNER WITHDRAWS favorite park a tree
reaffirmed its commitment to Until last May the City was
e the TCAAP land working with the General Services The Friends of the Parks is in
redevelopment concept as described Administration(GSA),which handles The midst of its spring tree sale
in the City's 2030 Comprehensive land sales for the federal government, and once again is offering residents
Plan.This concept has been approved and a development company to acquire an opportunity to donate trees to
by both the City Council and the the land through a negotiated sale. City parks,trails,open spaces,and
Notes from the It City Council Metropolitan Council and both would Citing economic conditions,the City's boulevards.Last year 19 trees were
y have to approve any changes. development partner withdrew from donated to Arden Hills,up from 16
the project. Without a development trees the year before.
AArden Hills is a desirable place to •Arden Hills is close to major •Arden Hills is a fiscally sound,well REUSE PLAN BASICS partner(who was the source of the
live,as reflected by the efforts employment located in Minneapolis managed City,which receives awards Councilmember David McClung
the
people put into staying in the City and St.Paul. The median commute for its financial reporting. The City This reuse concept calls for the 585 money to purchase the land), announced the 2010 tree sale at the
acres of land the Army has declared City withdrew the purchase offer it
when they are looking for a different time is 17.2 minutes,with only 2.9% maintains a reasonable home value to "surplus"to be developed into a had made to the GSA. The process February 22 City Council meeting
home and by the number of residents having a commute of more than 45 tax rate compared to most other cities. and said,"I would love to see 40 or
combination of mixed residential, by which the federal government
who return to the City after living minutes. more trees donated in 2010."Council
mixed business,park and open space, disposes of land it deems as surplus
elsewhere. •Arden Hills has natural recreational members encourage residents to
and park preserve. This land lies is controlled by federal law. Now
•The City retains a rural look and feel amenities including Lake Johanna, support the City's parks by donating a
in the northwest corner of the City, that the City has removed its offer,
So just what is the attraction of Arden while being close to Minneapolis and Lake Josephine and Rice Creek. We bordering Highway 96,US Highway the GSA's next legal step is public tree or two.
Hills as a place to live,work,and St.Paul. Many neighborhoods have have an abundance of open space 10,and I-35W. The eastern 1,500 auction,which is slated to happen later
play? Every city has unique qualities, homes that back up to open space, with parks and trails. The City Trees available for donation to the
acres,bordering Lexington Avenue,is this summer.
but Arden Hills has some truly special lakes,or other physical barriers that focuses on maintaining its natural City are:Autumn Blaze Maples,
part of the Arden Hills Army Training
qualities that attract people to live in provide backyard privacy. infrastructure,including parks,trails, Site(AHATS). This is leased by the Bicolor White Oaks,Black Hills
Arden Hills,remain,and return. lake water quality,and trees. Minnesota National Guard and is not Spruce,Pagoda Dogwoods,and
•We have unique neighborhoods part of the redevelopment area. (Continued on page 4) Thornless Cockspur Hawthorns.Trees
•Our area enjoys a high quality public each with its own character,divided •While housing values have dropped are available at prices from$35 to
education system. Mounds View by various physical barriers like during this recession,sales figures $45. The Friends of the Parks will be
School District students consistently freeways,wetlands,lakes,and tend to indicate Arden Hills home TCAAP Community Meeting April 20 including fresh water bags for each
score far ahead of the state-wide railroads.All one has to do is values have dropped less than most Have you wondered what is happening with the TCAAPproperty? park tree donated(except for Black
average. In 2009 students scored mention a road name to identify a other cities. The median home value Do you have questions you would like to ask about TCAAP? Hills Spruce).They are accepting
28.6%better than the state average in neighborhood Seims Court,Ingerson, is$266,300. donations of$5 to help defer the cost
reading and 33.6%better in math. Colleen,Karth Lake,Chatham,Prior, Join us for this informational meeting of the water bags.The deadline to
and so on. Everyone has a reason to choose a Tuesday,April 20 order and pay is April 17.
•Two colleges,Bethel University city to live in. Arden Hills has the 6:30 to 8 p.m.
and Northwestern College(partly •We have good paying jobs enabling hometown environment that people are Marsden Conference Room,Ramsey County Public Works Building There's more information at
in Arden Hills),provide on-going a citywide median family income looking for to raise a family,work in, 1425 Paul Kirkwold Drive www.FriendsoftheParks.org or on
educational and cultural events. of$94,668.Arden Hills has more and retire in. (northwest corner of Hamline Avenue and Highway 96) the Arden Hills web site.
jobs than it does residents and is a
For more information about TCAAP,visit the City web site at
•We enjoy a low crime rate and net importer of employees.We have The donated trees will be picked up by
safe environment through services major employers including Boston www.ci.arden hills.mn.us/tcaap City staff on May 1.
contracted with the Ramsey County Scientific,Land O'Lakes,Bethel &oJ;11;2X4i
Sheriff's department. University,Northwestern College, Residents also can order trees for their
Statistical Source: and Countrywide Insurance. David Grant, own property from the Friends of the
Best Places to live 2009(CNNMoney.com) City Council member Park tree sale.
LJFD continued from page 2
City Service Directory News from Around the Town
cities and the LJFD.To oversee the crew at Station 3 and the other crew be staffed by two three-person crews
1245 West Highway 96 contract,a Fire Board was created at Station 4.During these hours,the for 24 hours each day.As new duty
Arden Hills,MN55112-5734 Lake Johanna Fire Department initiates fulltime staffing composed of one representative each duty crews will respond to all calls. crews are introduced,the crews will
from the cities of Arden Hills and On a weekly basis,about 35 percent respond to medical calls during the
Office Hours North Oaks,two representatives from of all calls are received during week new staffed hours.
8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., fter operating as a paid,on- Shoreview,and three members of the day,daytime hours.With two crews of
Monday through Friday call service for most of its LJFD.The Fire Chief sits on the Fire firefighters on duty,the firefighters not The firefighters will not be fulltime,
A67 years,the Lake Johanna Board as an ex officio member.The Fire on duty will not be paged unless the permanent employees. Each firefighter
651-792-7800 Fire Department(LJFD)is gradually Board approves or amends the LJFD's severity of the call requires a heavier will be part-time but will be able to
www.d.arden-hills.mmus moving toward full-time station staffing budgets(operating and capital)which response.The duty crew will be paid on choose the shifts that work best for that
using duty crews of existing part-time are then presented to each city for an hourly basis,not on an on-call basis. firefighter,knowing that other"paged"
Sheriff and Fire Emergency firefighters. approval. Each city must then include Fire Chief Tim Boehlke expects that calls will be minimal.The firefighter
911 the appropriate dollar amounts in the response times will improve and costs can plan for the shifts and the pay will
Sheriff(non-emergency) The LJFD is a private,non-profit city budget for the following year.The will not significantly increase since be more consistent.Chief Boehlke
651484-3366 organization providing contract fire Fire Board also establishes the strategic only the firefighters actually needed hopes that this new pattern will
protection services for the cities plan for the LJFD. will be aid. increase recruitment and retention of
Fire(non-emergency) of Arden Hills,North Oaks,and p p his professionally trained firefighters.
651-633-2404 Shoreview.Historically the LJFD has p Y g
THE to fire calls,rescue calls, How TE cosT Is SHARED
Water and Sewer Problems The Fire Board sets the formula for Using fulltime staffing, the A LOOK AHEAD
(During non-business hours accident-with-injury calls,and cardiac AND A FEW STATISTICS ABOUT SERVICE
( g ) spreading the operating and capital Fire Chief expects that Another significant issue needs to be
651484-3366 arrest calls in the three contract cities. In 2009 the LJFD responded to 659 costs of the LJFD among the three response times will improve addressed by the Fire Board and the
The LJFD has a separate contract calls,214 in Arden hills.The number of cities.The formula fors spreading without an increase in cost. Arden Hills City Council in the near
Mayor: with the Minnesota National Guard to calls per year for the last five ears has p g ty
Stan Harpstead 651-604-9097 p Y Y the operating budget is based on future.Chief Boehlke believes that
provide similar services on the National been fairly constant with the average population,number of households, four fire stations may not be needed
Councilmembers: Guard's TCAAP facility.
David Grant 651-538-0747 being 653.Estimated fire loss in 2009 number of fire calls for the previous FIGHTING FIRES AND MORE by the LJFD. Station 1,on New
Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 for the entire area was$314,250. In year,and market value of property. With two duty crews at the stations, Brighton Road,is the station that can
Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 SOME BACKGROUND 2006,the fire loss was$2,415,750. Of For 2010,Arden Hills'share is 28.1 the LJFD is now responding to all most readily be closed,according to
Dave McClung 651-332-0352 The LJFD is a paid,on-call,part-time, the total calls each pp,ear,approximately
professionally trained and equipped Y Y percent.Arden Hills pays the same medical calls in the three cities during the Chief.Looking at current response
Acting City Administrator: ten percent are fire calls,20 percent are share for equipment.But Arden Hills the staffed hours.At least 90 percent of times and projecting even better
Sue Iverson 651-792-7816 fire department. Sometimes the LJFD rescue calls, 11 percent will involve pays for 100 percent of the capital all LJFD firefighters are EMT-trained response times from duty crews,the
is erroneously called a volunteer hazardous materials,26 percent are costs of Station 1 located in the City with the others being trained as first Chief says that firefighters on duty,not
Communications Committee fire department,but the firefighters false alarms,26 percent are"good on New Brighton Road.North Oaks responders. Chief Boehlke expects a on call,can respond to any Station 1
Arlene Mitchell,editor;Kristine traditionally have been paid for
intent„calls(caller is sure he spotted and Shoreview split the capital costs significant increase in service.Not only calls faster and provide better service,
Goodrich;Brenda Holden;Dorothy each call to which they respond,for someone in distress on the semi-frozen of Station 2 on Hodgson Road. And will highly trained medical service negating the need to have that station.
McClung training hours,and for fire education percent are service lake),and seven) p Shoreview pays the total capital costs providers respond more quickly to If Station 1 is retained,the structure
Council Liaison: Dave McClung activities in which they participate. In
StaffLiaison: Becky Brazys calls(ruptured pipe in the basement, of Station 3 on Lexington Avenue calls,Sheriff Deputies can be freed needs to be rebuilt,probably in 2012.
DesktopPublisher: M Nosek addition,the firefighters participate someone trapped on the roof).Mary Pp fl• at County Road I and Station 4 on up for other priority calls,and Allina Closing the station could save over
in a firefir becomes
s pension plan.A Victoria Avenue at County Road E. ambulance personnel will have $3,000,000 in capital costs for the
Council meetings are held at City Hall at firefighter becomes vested after WHAT THE FIRE BOARD DOES For 2010,Arden Hills will pay assistance when needed for treatment structure and equipment.Both the Fire
the second and last Monday olive month at ten years of service.Fora 20-year Arden Hills,North Oaks,and $356,778 for operating costs and and transport. Board and the Arden Hills City Council
7 p.m.Meetings are televised live on Cable veteran firefighter who retires from p g p ty
Channel 16. Meetings of the Planning Shoreview have a Joint Powers $131,418 in capital costs for fire would need to approve any changes at
Commission are televised at 6:30 m.on the Department at age 50 or more,the Agreement JPA through which
p• current pension benefit is a lump sum g ( ) g services. NEW CREW ASSIGNMENTS BEGIN SOON Station 1.
the first Wednesday after the first Monday p p the cities contract with the LJFD Beginning April 1 of this year,
of the month. Playbacks of City meetings payment equal to the number of years for services.The JPA defines the
begin the morning after e meeting and served times$5,600.Retirees with THE ADVANTAGE OF FULLTIME STAFFING additional duty crews will be added at
th
continue every day until the next City meet- ears of responsibilities and authorities of the Until now,if a call for service is Stations 2 and 4 from 5 p.m.to 1 a.m.
ing.Playbacks are 3 a.m.,11 a.m.,and 7 more than ten but less than 20 y received,a page goes out to all on Fridays and Saturdays.In 2011,
p.m.Monday through Friday,and 7 a.m.,2 service have a reduced benefit.
firefighters and many will respond. according to the LJFD six-year plan,
p.m.,and as p.s,visit
it Saturday and Sunday. Everyone who responds will be aid staffed hours will be expanded and
For web casts,visit www.ctvl5.org. �' p p P
for the call even if it turns out to be duty crews may be at Stations 2 and 4
Arden Hills Notes is the official newslet- The Lake Johanna Fire Department responds to about 650 calls a false alarm or an event requiring a from 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday through
ter of the City of Arden Hills,an equal- smaller crew.Beginning in January of Thursday evenings. Chief Boehlke
opportunity employer. every year
this year,two crews of three firefighters projects that by 2016,two stations will
are on duty from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.,
2 Monday through Friday,with one 3
TCAAP continued from page 1
PURCHASERS TO BE BOUND BY CITY east side but is not directly adjacent to as well as representatives from the
ZONING REQUIREMENTS the redevelopment area. The Arden County and State. Staff has been
The size and location of the TCAAP Hills City Council felt that it would directed to organize this meeting and
property makes it important to many be more productive for stakeholders prepare a plan for additional public
stakeholders,both inside and outside if,instead of holding a meeting with participation.
the City. Questions are being asked Shoreview's leadership alone,they
of City leadership and staff about hosted a single larger meeting for
how the change from a negotiated leadership from all neighboring cities
sale to a public auction may affect
the definition and scope of what
will be developed on the land. At FCountyrequests space in TCAAP for trails
the February 1 meeting the CityCouncil reaffiirmed that the existing support of the City trailhead to provide access to the
redevelopment concept stands as is. en Hills, Ramsey Rice Creek North Regional Trail
Whoever buys the land will be bound County is requesting portions of and seasonal recreational access
by the City's zoning and development the Twin Cities Army Ammunition to the Arden Hills Army Training
concept in place at the time of sale. Plant(TCAAP)area be set aside Site property.
for a new regional trail and
Council members reiterated that, trailhead. The City and County The second part of the proposal
contrary to ideas floating around, are working with the Army and includes a 30-acre,approximately
neither a race track nor a sports General Services Administration to 150-foot-wide trail that would
complex fit the redevelopment plan transfer approximately 59 acres to extend from the Rice Creek
for this land,and the Council is not in the county before the property goes North Regional Trail to the
support of either of these ideas. up for public auction.The County County Road 96 Regional Trail.
is already in line to receive 49 The new trail would run along
SHOREVIEW EXPRESSES INTEREST acres for the Wildlife Corridor. the eastern edge of the TCAAP
In January the City of Shoreview's property line and southern edge
Mayor and City Council sent a letter A proposed 29-acre,500 foot-wide of the Wildlife Corridor.
to their peers in Arden Hills seeking trailhead would stretch from the
an informational workshop meeting Wildlife Corridor to County Road
to discuss TCAAP's status and plans. I.The County hopes to use the
Shoreview's land abuts the historic
TCAAP property on the north and
Pete Saxe named Employee of the Year
Pete Saxe,a 20-year veteran of the maintenance of each park.Pete focused
Public Works Department,was his team on quality results and ensured
named the 2009 Employee of the that the new focus was successful.
Year at the employee luncheon in
January.Arden Hills employees are According to the nomination,"Pete
encouraged to nominate a co-worker always has a smile on his face"and
for recognition.Pete was nominated "shows a positive image to the general EN
because of his exceptional performance public."Pete has demonstrated his
and high level of dependability, dependability over many years,not just
reliability,and responsibility during his 2009.Pete was honored at the January honored for their years of service:
years as an Arden Hills employee. 11 City Council meeting. Pete Saxe 20 years
Pam Sweeney 10 years
In 2009 Pete assumed leadership of the During the January 11 meeting, Michelle Olson 10 years
seasonal park maintenance staff and the following employees also were
changed the focus of the staff from just
mowing the parks to comprehensive
4
BenchmarkS A Review of Recent City Council Action It'
January 25,2010 February 1,2010 •Authorized staff to work with the
•Approved the 2010 tree removal SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Minnesota Department of Health to
services contract with Precision •Adopted a position that the City prepare a Health Impact Assessment
Landscape and Tree for the calendar of Arden Hills does not support (HIA)for the TCAAP property
year(5-0) annexation or detachment of the (HIA's are an evolving planning tool
TCAAP property(4-1 Harpstead) intended to enhance the traditional
•Approved the 2010 animal control planning process by providing an
services agreement for the calendar •Adopted a position that the City additional viewpoint that focuses on
year(5-0) of Arden Hills supports a joint the health impacts of a development
information sharing and planning and creates recommendations
•Appointed Max Arvidson to meeting with multiple cities regarding to mitigate possible negative
the position of Public Works the regional significance of the health impacts.Environmental
Maintenance Employee(5-0) development of the TCAAP property contamination on the site will be
(5-0) reviewed by another process and will
•Approved changing the date of the not be included in the HIA.)(4-0)
May 31,2010,City Council meeting
to May 24,2010,due to the Memorial February 8, 2010
Day Holiday(5-0) (Grant excused)
•Approved an invoice in the amount
-Adopted Resolution 2010-006 of$3,724 from Bolton&Menk,
determining the timing of salary Inc.for engineering services in the
payments for the Mayor and City month of October 2009 for regional
Council(allows the Mayor and City transportation projects(4-0)
Council members to select either
an annual payment or quarterly
payments with the stipulation that Notes about Arden Hills parks and recreation
any unearned amount be reimbursed DONATE A PARK BENCH
to the City if the elected official does ommunity members are invited to donate a bench in a park or along a
not serve the entire term)(5-0) trail of their choice in Arden Hills.Benches may be donated
anonymously or in someone's honor.
•Adopted the 2010-2014 Capital
Improvement Plan which lists capital Each bench costs$500 and is made from recycled low-maintenance
improvement projects proposed by materials.The City will install and maintain the benches. Donors may
year for the next five years(2010 CIP choose a general location,but the exact location is dependent on site
projects were approved as part of the conditions. An engraved bronze plaque may be purchased for$100 or$150,
2010 budget process)(5-0) depending on size. Brochures and applications can be found at City Hall or
www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us.
•Approved Resolution 2010-005
vacating the underground electric RECREATION FEE ASSISTANCE
pedestrian and bicycle- The Arden Hills Parks and Recreation Department now offers financial
easement and the Arden Plaza 1 assistance for resident families who can't afford the program fees.
way easements on
property easements
Qualifying residents may receive up to$40 each quarter to apply to one
program. Families who are eligible for free and reduced school lunch or
•Denied Planning Case 09-024, other public assistance can apply;documentation is required.Applications
an appeal to overturn City staff's are confidential.
decision that a fence located at The City has budgeted$500 annually for the program,distributed on a first-
1777 Glenview Avenue meets the
requirements of the Zoning Code come-first-served basis.
(denial affirms the City staff decision
at the fence meets the requirements For more information about either of these programs,contact Parks and
that
the Zoning Code)(5-0) Recreation Manager Michelle Olson at michelle.olson@ci.arden-hills.mn.us
of or 651-792-7848.
5