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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2010 ECR-WSS PRST STD Itt, U.S.Postage Paid I Arden Hills,MN• 55112-5734 St.Paul,MN NH S Permit #1962 n New City Administrator named S Public transportation options The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents May 2010 • POSTAL CUSTOMER t City bond rating is AA+ Now City Administrator begins duties in Arden Hills d City wins award for financial report rden Hills has a new City He has two bachelor's degrees and a Mas- e Administrator.Patrick Klaers'first ters of Arts in Urban Studies from Minne- day was May 3.Previously Mr. sota State University Mankato.He started Klaers was a longtime administrator in Elk his career working as an administrative River."I am looking forward to meeting and planning aide in Northfield from 1976 new people,interacting with community to 1978.He was city administrator for the leaders,and working with the City staff to cities of Fairfax and Franklin in 1979 and Notes from the City Council accomplish the goals identified by the City 1980,administrative assistant in Brooklyn Council,"Klaers said about starting his Park from 1980 to1983,and Lake Elmo Ltke many of you,we just opened up The senior citizen discount was costing the Another change in the rate structure came new position in our City. city administrator from 1983 to 1985. our utility bill to see a somewhat City approximately$100,000 a year,with from the State requiring a water conserva- large increase even though it appears in more seniors applying for the discount tion fee structure.In 2008,high volume Administrator Klaers replaces Ron Mr.Klaers longest tenure was as city the graph that we used less water then each week.The Council voted to phase water users(50,000 gallon per quarter) Moorse,who left late last year. Finance administrator of Elk River from 1986 to last year.Knowing full well I voted for out this discount and have a basic charge paid 10 percent less per gallon of water Director Sue Iverson served as acting City 2005,during which the city's population this increase along with the other Council for low volume users such as seniors. than those in the senior discount program. Administrator while the City conducted a grew from 9,000 to 22,000.He oversaw a members,I shouldn't have been surprised. Although Council did not want to phase The new rate structure charges the high search for a new administrator.The City staff or more than 130 employees and ten Patrick Klaers I started thinking about how this hap- out the senior program,it became appar- volume user about 9 percent more per hired the Brimeyer Group search firm department heads. Successes during his pened. ent that it was not fair that the rest of the gallon used over 50,000 gallons.This which conducted preliminary screening tenure there included supervising three system users should cover these costs. puts Arden Hills in compliance with State and provided the City with ten candidates. downtown and two highway commercial priorities and that they have the authority First off the City has no water of its law and will hopefully make people more The City Council selected four finalists redevelopment projects and working complete their jobs in a professional m own—no wells.All water comes from St. In order for the City to recover its fund aware of their water usage. who were interviewed in late March. with the State and Sherburne County to manner." Paul via Roseville;therefore the City balance for the sanitary sewer,an increase Klaers accepted the position,and the improve three major intersections.He also pays for each and every drop that comes of 50 percent or more was needed.The This is year two of the three-year catch up Council approved his contract on April 26. identified and acquired strategically locat- When he's not working, Klaers said he to us. Second Arden Hills participates in Metropolitan Council sanitary sewer on utility rates.Next year again there will ed properties for city parks and acquired devotes his time to his family and friends. the Metropolitan Council's sanitary sewer system fee has increased about 8 percent be larger increases.I guess we're happy Administrator Klaers said he expects the and monitored development of properties He enjoys taking walks with his wife Vicki system.Fees from the water and sewer bill annually since 2003,and the City was not that we had lower bills up until now but greatest challenges and opportunities for in the city-owned business parks.In addi- and dog Hugo.He also enjoys golfing, pay for day-to-day operations,purchased keeping pace with this increase since the paying for the past increases now doesn't Arden Hills in the next few years will tion,he oversaw construction of several traveling,and attending Minnesota Gopher water,Met Council sewer disposal fees 1990s.The Council decided to spread this make it seem any better. include: "moving forward with a TCAAP government facilities,including a city hall, football and basketball games. and infrastructure replacement/repair(i.e., increase out over three years instead of proposal;realizing some improvements library,and ice arena. lines,meters,water towers). hitting residents with one huge increase all Sincerely, to the interstate,State,and County at once.The senior discount rate included , !�' transportation systems;and seeing some Administrator Klaers noted,"Nothing in The City's water and sewer revenues a flat$45 fee for this item,60 percent l fj redevelopment activity consistent with the city government is accomplished alone. have not covered expenditures for many lower than all other users. Guiding Plan for the B2 District." You always have the help of the commu- years.In the last 25 years,rates were only nity,City Council,and City staff." increased five times(1987, 1994, 1995, The phasing out of the senior program and Brenda Holden Mr.Klaers has more than 30 years experi- Recently,Klaers has served twice as "Nothing in city government is 1999,2004)while the City was absorbing the increase in the waste water rate does Arden Hills City Council ence in city government.He has held interim city administrator in Osseo(2006 accomplished alone. You always annual increases in costs.When develop- cause a significant increase in senior's numerous leadership positions such as and 2007)and as interim city manager for have the help of the community, ing the new rate structure,Council's goals water bills.For this I am sorry,but wading overseeing city staff,collaborating with Excelsior(2007 to 2008). City Council, and City staff." were to establish reasonable rates,promote through all the numbers and coming up other units of government,and prepar- Patrick Klaers water conservation,and maintain adequate with a fair billing system for all seemed ing and implementing city operating and As a manager,Klaers said he tries to cash balances for the water and sewer fund more important. capital improvement budgets,as well as encourage"participation and open,honest to be used to maintain and repair Arden comprehensive plans and other manage- communication from everyone involved Hills'aging system. ment planning documents. with the issue."He added,"I always want to make sure that the city depart- ment heads have good direction on work Arden Hills Service Directory News from Around the Town Benchmarks: a review of Recent City Council action It..- 1245 West Highway 96 It..-Arden Hills, MN SS112-5734 March 29, 2010 Awarded the Cummings Park irriga- Adopted Ordinance 2010-006 to New public transportation option comes to city Authorized city staff summer work tion system installation to Village amend the 2010 Fee Schedule to add Summer Office Hours hours from May 17 until September 3, Plumbing,Inc.in the amount of a construction activity waiver applica- n late March the Metropolitan Council's Transit Link program became available 2010(5-0) $1,616 for the plumbing installa- tion fee of$250 and(5-0) 7:30 a.m.to 5 p.m., Irrigation,Inc. in the Anderson Irr Monday-through Thursday in Arden Hills.This service is designed to augment existing regular-route transit t g 7.30 to 11:30 a.m.,Friday services,such as bus,light rail,and commuter rail.Riders may find themselves using • Adopted Resolution 2010-019 giving amount of$13,867 for the irrigation; April 12, 2010 a combination of a Transit Link minibus or van and regular transit services to reach their final approval to the proposed issu- plus an additional amount of$850 for (Councilmember Holmes excused) 651-792-7800 destination. ance of revenue notes for Northwest- a City-purchased water meter(total www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us ern College(5-0) project cost not to exceed$16,333) Failed to approve motion to purchase Sheriff and Fire Emergency As of the beginning of this year the Dial-A-Ride services in the metropolitan area have (4-1 McClung) two gateway signs from SignArt USA 911 been restructured into the new Transit Link service.Transit Link's goal is to make sure Adopted Resolution 2010-018 accept- for a cost not to exceed$10 500 to that customers will be able to access an location in the metropolitan area. Since regular ing work completed and authorizing Adopted Ordinance 2010-005 to be located at the corner of County Sheriff(non-emergency) Y p g 651-484-3366 public transit does not provide that level of service,Transit Link is offering ashared-ride final payment for the 2009 sanitary amend section 630 of the City Code Road D and Cleveland Avenue and minibus or van service to fill in the gaps. sewer lining project to Visu-Sewer, relating to the regulation of construc- the southeast corner of the Highway Fire(non-emergency) g p ' Inc.of Pewaukee Wisconsin in the tion activities providing that 651-633-2404 >Prov g con- 96 and Round Lake Road intersection Water and Sewer Problems Rides must be reserved in advance.This can be done on the same day or up to five busi- amount of$84,851 (5-0) struction may be permitted outside the (Staff was directed to bring the issue ness days in advance.When you call to request a ride,a staff member will work with regular hours of 7 a.m.to 9 p.m.in to a Council work session for further (During non-business hours) 3 Y q 651-484-3366 you to determine the best transportation plan for your trip.It may be: Adopted Resolution 2010-017 ap- case of emergencies with permission discussion.)(2-2 Grant,McClung) Mayor: May a trip solely on regular public transit; pointing Susan Iverson as the City's of the Public Works Director(water alternate Cable Commission represen- main breaks for example)or special Adopted Ordinance 2010-007 to Stan Harpstead 651-604-9097 a trip that combines Transit Link with regular public transit(transfers will be done , p ) p p g q Y to Councilmembers: at transit hubs where regular route service is frequent and easy find);or tative(5-0) construction projects(resurfacing the rename the northern street section )' • a Transit Link-only trip when regular public transit is not available. parking lot of a commercial property, of Prior Court to Prior Circle in the David Grant 651-53 636- 9 Y p g p Adopted Resolution 2010-016 for an for example); special construction Arden Manor Neighborhood(4-0) Brenda Holden 1-631-6-2987 exempt charitable gambling permit projects will require an application Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 Transit Link service is available to anyone(not just ADA-certified riders).Transit Link service may require riders to walk short distances to be picked u for Fishing for Life(a non-profit host- and notice to owners of property Dave McClung 651-332-0352 Y q p p' ing a one-time raffle at North Heights within 500 feet and payment of a fee City Administrator: Transit Link service is available week days from 6 a.m.to 7 p.m.Weekend service may Church)(5-0) (see next bullet)(5-0) Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810 be available in some areas.Transit Link fares range from$2.25 to$6.75 each way,based on distance traveled.Transfers between Transit Link services and regular transit routes Here's a great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle... Grants to help reduce runoff Communications Committee: will be free unless transferring to peak express service or the Northstar Commuter Rail Arlene Mitchell,editor;Kristine (in which case the rider must pay the fare difference). ...and help others at the same time Cost-share dollars are available to help residents of the Rice Creek Water- Goodrich;Brenda Holden;Dorothy shed District(RCWD)install best man- McClungTransit Link will also augment Metro Mobility services for those qualifying for ADA Eureka Recycling promotes Twin Cities Free market agement practices to reduce stormwater Council Liaison: Dave McClung services.These riders will receive door-to-door service,and their fares will be limited to win Cities Free Markets"' People who use the Free Market feel good runoff and control shoreline erosion.The Staff Liaison: Becky Brazys standard Metro Mobility fares. www.twincitiesfreemarket.or knowing the have given useful items the program is administered b the Anoka ( g), g Y g� Y p g Y Desktop Publisher: Mary Nosek Ta reuse program of Eureka Recy- no longer need to someone who can ap- Ramsey,and Washington Conservation See www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/TransitLink/index.htm for more information. cling,is a local website where you can list predate and use them. Districts.Grants are available for 50 per- Council meetings are held at City Hall Call 65 1-602-LINK(651-602-5465)weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.to make a items to give away or search for free items cent of eligible project costs up to$5,000. on the second and last Monday of the reservation. available in your community.Twin Cities Tell a friend about Twin Cities Free month at 7 p.m.Meetings are televised Free Market is an easy,fast,and free way Market and create connections in your The Environmental Protection Agency live on Cable Channel 16.Meetings of to find new homes for reusable items you community to reduce waste. identifies stormwater runoff as the the Planning Commission are televised no longer need. number-one cause of water pollution. at 6:30 p.m.on the first Wednesday Celebrating Arden Hills! Funding for Twin Cities Free Market is Reducing stormwater runoff by encourag- after the first Monday of the month. When we reuse,we reduce the need to provided in part by Ramsey County. ing infiltration is key to keeping lakes and Playbacks of City meetings begin the Saturday, September 18 manufacture new products and prevent rivers clean. See the Minnesota Stormwa- moining after the meeting and continue 3 p.m. to dusk materials from being wasted—saving ter Manual at www.eorinc.com/resources- every day until the next City meeting. Celebration at Tony Schmidt Regional Park energy,protecting air and water quality, links.php about typical projects. Playbacks are 3 a.m., 11 a.m.,and 7 Art show at Presbyterian Homes preserving our environment,and protect- NVAIM• p.m.Monday through Friday,and 7 ing our health. Twin Cities Visit the RCWD's Blue Thumb—Plant- a.m.,2 p.m.,and 10 p.m. on Saturday Free Market ing for Clean Water at BlueThumb.org. and Sunday.For web casts,visit www. Fireworks. Twin Cities Free Market provides a cost The site offers videos,planting blueprints, ctvl5.org. and resource saving alternative.It reduces •org plant selector tools,retailers,landscapers, For more information,contact Michelle Olson at the need to use natural resources to manu- ��� grant information,workshops and more. Arden Hills Notes is the official news- michelle.olson@ci.arden-hills.mn.us or 651-792-7848 facture more products. It also reduces letter of the City of Arden Hills,an landfill usage,and recipients avoid the a great way co give g p� and get free stuff. Arrange a visit to your site fora profes- equal-opportunity employer. cost of buying new items. sional review by calling Ryan Johnson at 2 3 651-266-7275. City earns AA+ bond rating from Standard and Poor's 0 n March 15 Standard and Poor's tion and economic opportunity that helps and how well it manages and reports its published bond rating updates, maintain financial stability." finances.(See story below.)At the March granting Arden Hills an unusual 29 City Council meeting,when the rating three-notch upgrade from A+to AA+.This In upgrading Arden Hills'rating Standard upgrade was announced,Mayor Harpstead places the City only one notch below the and Poor's noted that Arden Hills: lauded City Finance Director Sue Iverson highest possible rating—AAA(which has has very strong income levels(137 and her staff,as well as the members of not generally been granted to smaller cities percent of national levels) the City's Financial Planning and Analysis such as ours). has a very strong market value Committee,for the improvements to the • relies on property taxes(which is City's financial policies and processes that Standard and Poor's reviews its ratings based on our strong market value), helped produce this result. regularly.In the past,Standard and Poor's not on local government aid(which ratings formula not only considered how is dependent on State politics and the This rating upgrade is good news for our well a city managed its finances,but also status of State finances) city. If or when the City needs to borrow gave considerable weight to municipal plans budgets and spends conser- money in the future,this improved rating size and location.This meant that smaller vatively,generally posting a small will help reduce the interest cost the City cities received a lower rating just because operating surplus will incur. of their size,even if they were managing has healthy reserve balances($1.8 their finances very well.This practice was million in the general/operating fund based on the belief that a smaller tax base plus$7 million in its capital reserve translated to additional investor risk.The funds),which create important finan- lower rating,in turn,translated to higher cial strength and liquidity borrowing costs for small cities. has a very low overall debt burden (2.02 percent of market value). In 2008 Standard and Poor's changed its formula to state"the key to a higher rating Always key to establishing any entity's . . . is achieving a balance between loca- rating is the quality of its leadership City wins award for budget presentation 0 n February 19 the Government sound financial policy and practice." To believes that,"better budget docu- Finance Officers Association of that end the GFOA operates three award ments contribute to better decision the United States and Canada programs in the United States. making and enhanced accountability." (GFOA)announced that the City of Budget presentation guidelines exist Arden Hills was awarded their Distin- They are: to assist governments in creating bud- guished Budget Presentation Award for its The Certificate for Achievement get documents and awards are granted 2009 budget documents.The award was for Excellence in Financial Report- to recognize those who achieve this presented at the April 26 City Council ing Program(CAFR),which was goal. meeting. established in 1945. Its goal is to encourage governments to be finan- The Popular Annual Financial Re- The City of Arden Hills has now won cially transparent. Governments are porting(PAFR)Awards Program, all three GFOA awards,something only encouraged to produce comprehensive which was created in 1991. Its goal three cities in Minnesota have accom- annual reports that can be read and is to"encourage and assist state and plished. The other two recipients of all understood by people without a back- local governments to extract informa- three awards are Bloomington and Eden ground in finance. Guidelines exist tion from their comprehensive annual Prairie. Both cities are considerably to provide assistance in doing this and financial report to produce high qual- larger than Arden Hills. In fact,few cities awards are granted to recognize those ity popular annual financial reports our size even go the extra step to prepare who do so. specifically designed to be readily ac- these reports. cessible and easily understandable to • The Distinguished Budget Pre- the general public and other interested GFOA MISSION AND AWARDS sentation Awards Program,which parties without a background in public At the core of the GFOA's mission is the was created in 1984. Its goal is to finance."The award recognizes those desire to"enhance and promote the pro- encourage governments to produce who accomplish this. (This award can fessional management of governments for high-quality,useful budget documents be won only after winning the CAFR the public benefit." One of their primary that could be understood by people award.) objectives is to"raise public awareness of without expertise in finance. GFOA Continued on page 5 4 Who should you call? We can't call Ghostbusters, but in many ways City Hall staff is a lot more helpful Is the Summer Soccer"session callers are walked through the process of Numbers you need! full?" "Is there still room in the electronically paying a utility bill right af- AARP driving class?" "What ter staff explains the new cost structure for Arden Hills City Hall time does the foot clinic start?" For calculating the bill.There are also frequent 651-792-7800 answers just pick up the phone and call questions relating to trash collection and Arden Hills Library 651-792-7800,and talk with City staff the City rules for recycling. 651-628-6831 members Pam,Sherri,or Sonja. Pam has Mounds View Schools been the first line of contact for the City Pam,Sherri,Sonja and all the Arden Hills 651-636-3650 for twelve years! While Sherri and Sonja staff are ready to answer your questions or Division of Motor Vehicles are relatively new employees,they will point you in the right direction. According 651-296-6911 also be happy to assist you. to Pam,"I may not know the answer but Ramsey County Parks and Recreation I'm willing to dig around to find it!"She 651-748-2500 "That dog down the street has been bark- expects the"summer questions"will start Minnesota Division of Motor Vehicles ing for over an hour! Who should I call?" soon,such as what to do about a neighbor 651-296-6911 City staff refer such complaints to Ramsey who rakes all the grass clippings into the Minnesota Department County Non-Emergency Dispatch at 651- street;or the neighbor who refuses to cut of Natural Resources 767-0640. the grass at all;location and hours for the 651-296-6167 Ramsey County compost site;and whether "Why haven't I received my property recreational fires allowed in Arden Hills. tax statement?" This has been a frequent question this spring. Residents typically The Arden Hills website at www.ci.arden- receive their statements by March 15 but hills.mn.us is an excellent resource for as late as April 26,Ramsey County was City-related information. An increasing not certain when the statements would be number of residents are using the website mailed.Concerned residents were referred to find answers.But if you don't have Ramsey County Property Records and access to the internet or can't find the Revenue 651-266-2000. answer you're looking for,just call City Hall. Pam,Sherri,or Sonja will provide "Do I need a building permit to put in new service with a smile. Remember,City windows?" On a daily basis,the front staff moves to summer hours May 17 Elections are coming; counter personnel advise callers whether a through September 3 and will be available Judges are needed! permit is necessary for a particular project Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. and how much the permit will cost. Other to 5 p.m.and from 7:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. It's an election year.Here are some on Friday. dates to keep in mind: June 25—Absentee voting begins for Budget award, continued from page 4 state primary August 3—Filing opens for candidates Since Sue Iverson joined the City as now and will be submitted to the GFOA for city offices Finance Director in January 2007,the City for award consideration: August 10—State primary election has produced annual CAFR and PAFR August 17—Filing closes for city office reports for financial years 2006,2007, Creating these reports and winning these candidates and 2008 and won awards for each. The rewards are an incredible accomplishment November 2—General election CAFR for 2009 will be produced after the for a city our size,as well as a tremendous annual audit is completed(soon). step forward in financial management and If you are available on August 10 and reporting and government transparency. November 2,Arden Hills needs you to The PAFR for 2009 will be created this be an election judge! summer;it is typically*included in the July issue of this newsletter. Training is provided,and judges are compensated. The City revamped its budget reporting for 2009,and it has now won GFOA's award. For more information or an application The 2010 budget book is being created contact City Hall at 651-792-7800 or 5 visit www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us.