HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2010 ECR-WSS
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Arden Hills,MN • 55112-5734
n Election wrap-up
Postal Customer The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents December 2010
S Council denies consent on I-694
Voters elect new mayor and two councilmembers
Z project
n November 2 Councilmember Councilmember Fran Holmes won a
dRail bridge path complete 0 David Grant was elected mayor. second term."Thanks to the residents of
Councilmember Fran Holmes Arden Hills for the honor and privilege
e was re-elected and Ed Werner was elected to serve for another four years as your ;b
to serve on the City Council.The mayor councilmember,"she said."Your vote
Mayor David Grant
and councilmembers are elected for four confirms my current approach to sen-
years sible,proactive decisions.I will continue
to be a fiscal conservative.My top priori-
Notes from the Mayor David Grant has served as a council- ties are seeking development and rede-
member for 11 years.He was chosen velopment opportunities to bring more
from a field of three candidates to replace business to Arden Hills while improving
n this,my last Mayor's letter,I would their hand"and help to lead by serving on tions,supported Stan Harpstead,who didn't seek a second our park and trail system to maintain the
like to recognize the many people who committees. the completion term. "It is a great honor to be elected as beauty of our City.Talking with residents
have helped throughout the last four of trails,and your next mayor,"Grant said."I thank on the campaign trail gave me great
years. It takes more than a Mayor,Coun- I would also like to thank the many public worked hard you for sharing your ideas and concerns insight into your concerns;this will set Councilmember
cil,and City staff to create a thriving and partners that we have as a City. Our to maintain with me during the campaign.Key my agenda for the next four years.Please Fran Holmes
vibrant community. neighboring communities participate in facilities and themes from those conversations include: keep up the dialog by contacting me at
joint-powers agreements that reduce the minimize im- bringing more business and jobs to Arden any time."
Most importantly I would like to thank costs of essential services and provide pacts on adjacent Hills;keeping taxes low while at the
the members and volunteers that faithfully for"back-up"when events challenge the neighborhoods. same time maintaining our City;improv- Ed Werner is a 16-year Arden Hills resi-
serve on the City's commissions,commit- available resources. Our County and State Working together ing our parks and trails system;resolving dent and a former member of the City's
y
tees,task forces and special projects. Over elected officials and staff are willing part- builds a stron- Mayor Stan Harpstead transportation issues;and improving com- Economic Development Commission."I
the years the residents and members of ners as we explore how to accommodate ger community for munications related to TCAAP.Feel free want to thank the voters for their support
committees have weighed in and guided regional growth and the pressures it places everyone who lives,works,and plays in to contact me about these or other issues. in electing me to City Council,"he said. Councilmember
development projects,zoning codes, on infrastructure. Our Federal representa- Arden Hills. I look forward to serving you." "I will do my best representing you over Ed Werner
financial policies,park and trail plans,kept lives have been strong advocates for Arden the next four years.Contact me at
us all informed of activities and issues, Hills while negotiating with the GSA over Finally,I want to thank the Council- There were two council seats up for elec- edwemer88@yahoo.com or
and organized recreational programs and the sale of TCAAP. It is vital that we con- members and staff for their service and tion and three candidates. 651-636-2547."
celebrations. Without these active groups tinue to build on these partnerships in the support. When issues arise that require
of residents Arden Hills would not be region to identify and accomplish essential investment of additional time,the duties
the community that we have all come to changes to the transportation system and and tasks are completed with exemplary How the votes were cast
cherish. I encourage everyone to"raise land use policies that are being driven by outcomes and without complaint. Mayor Council will appoint new member
growth in the metropolitan area. Arden David Grant 2,059 53% avid Grant's election as mayor cre-
Film Hills cannot survive as an island. I wish you all a Season of Joy and Quiet Dave McClung 1,080 28% Dates a vacancy on the City Council.
Reflection. In accordance with State law,council-
The business and institutions that reside David Radziej 695 18%
members and the mayor will appoint
in Arden Hills have also been strong allies Thank you, someone to fill the seat.The appointee
and corporate citizens. Arden Hills enjoys City Council will serve the remaining two years of
the benefits provided by corporations seri- / Fran Holmes 2,237 41% Grant's term.The City will accept applica-
Tt about the environment in which their Ed Werner 1,937 36% tions through December 31.Call or stop
' employees and customers interact. While o by City Hall to request an application.The
they do not always receive the recognition Stan Harpstead Nicholas Tamble 1,199 22/° Council will conduct candidate interviews
'i the deserve,these corporate citizens have
y � Toting summary and appoint a new councilmember after
paid for sidewalks,contributed to celebra- the New Year.
A total of 4,583 Arden Hills residents voted. City turnout was 66 percent.Turnout
in Minnesota was the highest in the nation at 55 percent.
It'
Arden Hills Service Directory News from Around the Town Benchmarks: a review of recent City Council action
1245 West Highway 96
Arden Hills, AM Highway
6 Council denies consent on 1-694 project October 25, 2010 November 15, 2010 Accepted Joe Rueb's resignation and
• Approved payment number 2 on Approved purchase of a used genera- authorized staff to fill accounting
Mn/DOT project to upgrade highway noise problems.To help ad- CP Rail Trail Improvements in the for and associated equipment for Lift analyst position(5-0)
Office Hours the section of I-694 that passes dress this Mn/DOT is putting u sound amount of$152 316.97 5-0
8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. p g p � ( ) Station no. 8,total price not to exceed
Monday to Friday hrough Arden Hills is slated to be- walls.The portions that meet the state $43,000(5-0) Approved the Parks Maintenance
gin in July 2011.This project will address cost effectiveness formula will be paid Approved a public hearing for host Management Plan with the addition
651-792-7800 safety and capacity issues,including lane for by Mn/DOT;the City is paying for approval for$19,000,000 City of Approved the 2011 Pavement Man- of language for Crepeau Natural
wwwweaves,left-lane entrances,and deterio- additional sound wall.The City wants Bloomington Senior Housing Refund- agement Program resolution receiving Preserve regarding invasive species
Sheriff
and
Fir-h mergenc ratingpavement and bridges.This project to have the length and location of the in Revenue Bonds Gideon Pond 4-1 Holmes
Sheriff and Fire Emergency p g p J g g ( the feasibility report and ordering the ( )
911 is also intended to position the roadway planned sound walls clearly marked in Commons,LLC Project),Series 2010 public hearing(5-0)
for the creation of additional lanes in the the project plan.It also requests that (5-0) Approved Resolution 2010-059 order-
Sheri6 (non-emergency) future. soil displaced b the project be used to in abatement at 1960 County Road
651-484-3366 p y p � Approved Resolution 2010-057 order- g h'
build berms in noise-prone areas not Approved Resolution 2010-056 set- ing abatement at 3223 Lake Johanna E2 for a fallen tree(5-0)
Fire(non-emergency) Before the Arden Hills CityCouncil will suited to sound walls. tin TIF hearing date to December
651-633-2404 g g Blvd.for a diseased tree(5-0)
Water and Sewer Problems give its support to this project,it wants 13,2010,for proposed Presbyterian Approved Ordinance 2010-012
to be certain the changes will not make Trails and non-motorized access.The Homes Redevelopment(5-0) Approved Lexington Avenue Side- amending the Zoning Code to allow
(During non-business hours) other traffic worse in the City,and better CityCouncil is seeking assurances that institutional housing as a permitted
651-484-3366 g walk and Trail project payment no. 1 g
yet,will actually provide benefits for the existing non-motorized access will not Accepted third quarter financial re- (5-0) use within the B-2 District with an
Mayor: who live and work in Arden Hills be diminished b this project.This
Stan Harpstead 651-604-9097 people ' y p .1 ports as presented(5-0) approved Planned Unit Development
Councilmembers: not just for those who drive through the includes shifting roads to make space Approved a request to redeem and and approved Planning Case 10-009,
area. for trails and adding pedestrian bridges Approved Ordinance 2010-011 re a revenue bonds issued b the and the Development Agreement,for
David Grant n 651 636-2 over 1-694 and Highway 10. amending Chapter 2 Section 210.03 prepay
p y y a Master and Final PUD to allow Ar-
Brenda Holden 651-636-2987 g y g p City of Arden Hills(conduit debt
Fran Holmes 651-631-1866 Unconvinced that this is yet the case,on Subd. 1 Regular Meetings and Chap- Presbyterian Homes,Resolution den Hall to continue as a permanent
October 25 the City Council voted not to Aesthetics.The City Council seeks ter 2,Section 210.03,Subd.3, Special 2010-060)(5-0) use(4-1 McClung)
Dave McClung 651-332-0352 give municipal consent to this project as Mn/DOT's commitment to use the Meetings(5-0)
currently designed.The Council cited 14 Architectural and its Aesthetic Design Approved Resolution 2010-061 giv-
City Administrator: conditions it wants met.The details are Guidelines for I-694,dated Jul 2002. Approved Resolution 2010-052
Patrick Klaers 651-792-7810 y pP ing final approval to the proposed
available on the City's web site;they fall disapproving the final layout of I-694/ issuance of revenue notes for North-
into the following five categories: Cost containment. Since Mn/DOT is TH51 with the conditions included western College(5-0)
Communications Committee: running this project but the City will (5-0)
Arlene Mitchell,editor;Kristine Go- . Impact on surrounding roads.The be paying for portions of it,the City
odrich;Brenda Holden City suspects that the planned changes wants to know that its potential costs are
Council Liaison: Dave McClung to the Ispec ramp configuration will capped. Specifically,it wants al know Recently completed railroad bridge passage improves pedestrian safety
Staff Liaison: Becky Bry N affect traffic patterns a mile or more on that the City's portion of the sound wall
Desktop Publisher: Mary Noiek either side of I-694. It wants to see cost will not exceed the amount stated in A passage under the Canadian Pacific The bridge passage was funded primar- placement was finished in December and a
projected traffic models for an area the plan. If changing traffic patterns Railway Bridge on Old Highway ily by State Aid Funds.The City Council few"punch list"items will be done in the
Council meetings are held at City Hall roughly outlined b Lexington Avenue necessitate improvements to nearby 0 is now ready for pedestrians. approved the project last March.Con- spring.The passage will be snow-plowed
on the second and last Monday of the g y y � p y pp p J
Highway 96,Hamlin Avenue/High- roads,the City also wants assurances This road near Bethel University is busy struction commenced in August and was throughout the winter.
month at 7 p.m.Meetings are televised way 51,and County Road E.Of special Mn/DOT will provide funding. with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. mostly complete in November.Turf re-
live on Cable Channel 16.Meetings of concern is the effect the closure of the There currently is no sidewalk or trail,
the Planning Commission are televised Hamline Avenue off-and on-ramps will What is next?The next step is further so walkers and bicyclists use the road's
after t
at r t p.m.on the first Wednesday have as traffic shifts to the ramps on negotiation between the City and shoulder.At the railroad bridge there is
he first Monday of the month. Lexington Avenue.Much of this traffic Mn/DOT.The Municipal Consent law no shoulder.The City has built a passage
Playbacks of City meetings begin the will use County Road F and its inter- provides for an appeal process to help through the west side of the bridge foot-
morning after the meeting and continue sections with Hamline and Lexington resolve differences between a city and ings so pedestrians no longer need to enter
every day until the next City meeting. Avenues. The City wants to know that Mn/DOT.The Appeal Board can accept the roadway.
Playbacks are 3 a.m., 11 a.m.,and 7 the impact on surrounding roads has the plan as presented or recommend
p.m.Monday through Friday,and 7 been taken into account in Mn/DOT's modifications to the plan.Because I-694 The passage includes a short segment of
a.m.,2 p.m.,and 10 p.m.on Saturday project plan. is part of the interstate highway system, trail both north and south of the bridge.
and Sunday.For web casts,visit www. if this appeal process does not result in The City's Parks,Trails and Open Space
ctvI5.org. Noise mitigation.There is concern in a project design both sides can agree to, Plan calls for a trail to someday be built
Arden Hills that the planned changes the Commissioner of Transportation has along the entire length of Old Highway
letter
Arden Hills Notes f the official news- to I-694,coupled with the redesign of the final option to overrule the Appeal 10/Old Snelling Avenue—from Highway
the City of Hills,an the intersection of Highways 96 and 10, Board's findings and moving the project 51 to County Road 96.Due to fund-
equal-oo equal-opportunity emmployploy er. another project also scheduled to begin forward as designed.For this reason,it ing limitations,no timeline has yet been
next summer,will worsen the existing is important to the City to get as many established.
of its concerns written into the project R.
2 design as possible. 3