Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 June 2023 Arden Hills Notescityofardenhills.org • June 2023 • 1 The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents June 2023 Arden Hills Starbucks Dedicated as a Military Family Store (MFS) The Starbucks at 3833 Lexington Avenue is officially a new Military Family Store (MFS). Starbucks has opened over 100 Military Family Stores in the U.S., but this is the first in Minnesota. This unique store concept focuses on supporting and honoring military families. These types of Starbucks are located near major military bases and are designed to help advance veteran causes, accelerate the hiring of veteran and military spouses, and bridge the civilian-military divide. The Arden Hills location employs nearly 21 partners (employees) in the Arden Hills community. On May 8, Councilmembers Brenda Holden and Emily Rousseau, along with Mayor Grant, attended the special dedication at the Arden Hills location. Councilmembers had the opportunity to speak with those in attendance. They were among the many supporters of the store, including Starbucks leadership focused on military initiatives, members of Minnesota Soldier Family Support, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. This new Starbucks Military Family Store brings together the warm and inviting ambiance of a typical Starbucks location with a strong emphasis on recognizing and supporting military families. The store’s design pays homage to the sacrifices and contributions made by military personnel and their loved ones. It features custom wall art, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the inspiring stories of local military families and their journeys of dedication, service, and resilience. The Arden Hills Starbucks Military Family Store not only provides an inviting atmosphere but also offers various initiatives and programs tailored to the needs of military families. It serves as a hub for community gatherings, where military families can come together, build relationships, and find a sense of belonging. The store partners with local military organizations and nonprofits to provide resources, support services, and employment opportunities for veterans and military family members. The dedication of the Arden Hills Military Family Store highlights the broader recognition of the sacrifices made by military families. With its commitment to supporting military families and the community, this store is destined to become a gathering place for people to connect, share stories, and express their gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. Join the Economic Development Commission Join the Economic Development Commission and help shape the future of our business community! Are you passionate about driving economic growth, fostering business innovation, and positively impacting our city’s future? If so, we invite you to join the newly re-established Economic Development Commission (EDC). The commission is a platform to facilitate dialogue with local businesses, strategize economic initiatives, and implement plans to drive our city’s development success. Membership is open to any resident plus non-resident owners/ employees of an Arden Hills business. Actively contribute your skills, ideas, and business expertise toward the prosperity and well-being of Arden Hills. The first meeting is August 23 and they meet the fourth Wednesday every other month. If you want to join, contact City Clerk Julie Hanson at jhanson@cityofardenhills.org. You can also learn more at cityofardenhills.org/128/Economic- Development-Commission. Councilmembers Rousseau and Holden with Starbucks leadership and military representatives. 2 • arden hills notes • June 2023 Service Directory City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Summer Office Hours Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday: 7:30–11:30 a.m. 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 Sr. Communications Coordinator Luke Cardona • 651-792-7817 lcardona@cityofardenhills.org City Council Liaison Thomas Fabel Resident Resources cityofardenhills.org/resident-resources Council meetings are held at City Hall on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7 p.m.. Council meetings, Work Sessions, and Planning Commission meetings are televised live on Cable Channel 16. 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 • June 2023 2022 Drinking Water Report The City’s 2022 Consumer Confidence Report, better known as the Drinking Water Report, is now available online at cityofardenhills.org/drinkingwaterreport. City News EyeOnWater Do you want to know how much water you use at your home or business? EyeOnWater is a tool that tracks water usage and allows users to set up alerts for potential leakage or other problems, like a leaky toilet or sprinkler system. Users receive consumption graphs to visualize their usage throughout the billing cycle. To sign up: 1. Visit eyeonwater.com/signup. 2. Enter your service or billing Postal Code and your account number (all 9 digits with no dash), which can be found on your utility bill. 3. Enter your email and create a password. Learn more at cityofardenhills.org/228/water. Unnamed Grocery Store Site Up for Sublease It has been reported that the unnamed grocery store at 3787 Lexington Avenue N. slated to be coming to Arden Hills is no longer happening. The Arden Hills location is one of six Twin Cities planned locations that have also been put up for sublease. Dog Park Improvements The City of Arden Hills welcomes back dog owners to enjoy our fantastic dog parks. With Hazelnut Park and Perry Park both open for the season, residents have ample opportunities to provide their canine friends with a fun outdoor experience. Next time you visit Perry Dog Park, you’ll see some significant improvements that were just made, including installing a new concrete pad at the entrance, which provides a clean and accessible area for dogs to play and exercise. Two shade structures were added, one being a new bench and a picnic-style table. The park also underwent minor grading and seeding, ensuring the green spaces remain vibrant and inviting. A big thanks to the Arden Hills Foundation and Spring Lake Park Lions Club for their donations that went toward these upgrades. We hope you and your canine enjoy the summer at Hazelnut Park and Perry Park! And, watch for Bark and Rec Day in coming fall. cityofardenhills.org • June 2023 • 3 cityofardenhills.org • June 2023 • 3 City Council Benchmarks All votes 5-0 unless otherwise noted. May 8, 2023 City Council Meeting • Approved Resolution 2023-022 relating to approval of amendment to the City’s Series 2015 Note, Series 2011A Note and Series 2012A Note (Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills, Inc.). • Approved Motion to direct City staff to discuss clarification of the Campus Commercial zoning district and potential additional uses and make recommendations to the Planning Commission for further discussion by the City Council. (motion carried 3-2, Grant and Holden opposed) • Approved Motion that the Council consider holding a TCAAP Open House on the condition staff has coordinated sufficiently with the JDA and Goff Public Consulting and that the matter be further discussed at a future work session. May 22, 2023 City Council Meeting • Approved Resolution 2023-024 appointing Emily Rousseau as the Council Liaison to the Economic Development Commission (EDC). • Approved Resolution 2023-025 - Planning Case 23-009 - site plan review for 1275 Red Fox Road, sign standard adjustment. • Approved Resolution 2023-026 and MnDOT Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant Agreement – MVHS Trail Improvement Project. • Approved quote for purchase and repair of Vac-Truck. • Approved Resolution 2023-027 approving plans and specifications and ordering advertising for bid – Arden Manor and Floral Park Improvements Project. • Approved First Amendment to Development Contract and Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement with Arden Hills RE, LLC on behalf of New Perspective Senior Living. • Approved professional services agreement for design engineering services with SRF – Old HWY 10 Trail Improvements Project. • Approved Resolution 2023-028 for a variance at 1475 Dawn Circle for flexibility with setbacks. For a complete listing of recent City Council actions, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on “View Agendas and Minutes.” Construction Updates Summertime is here, which means the return of roadway construction. We want to make you aware of some notable projects that are underway. County Road E at Old Snelling Avenue Ramsey County is underway with the Country Road E and Old Snelling Avenue intersection reconstruction project. The entire intersection is being reconstructed and will include a new roundabout. There will be phased closures throughout the project at this location beginning on June 12. Lexington Avenue Reconstruction Ramsey County’s Lexington Avenue reconstruction project has resumed. The project items for 2023 include: • Construct remaining turn lanes, center medians, pedestrian ramps, new trail, and sidewalk • Complete new pavement from County Road E through the railroad crossing and Red Fox Road to I-694 • Complete all remaining utility, stormwater, and watermain work and install permanent traffic signals • Grading and paving of center lanes of Lexington at I-694 interchange • Canadian Pacific Railway Much of this work has already begun and will continue through the end of summer. Street Maintenance Project Pavement preservation work for the 2023 construction season will include seal coating, crack sealing, and fog sealing within segments of city streets and trails. These maintenance activities will begin in early August and through September. You can view details of the Public Works Paving Plan and JPA Street Maintenance Plan by visiting the Construction Projects webpage listed below. Trail Maintenance Project Beginning June 12, Public Works will begin trail reclaiming with grinding of the old asphalt within Floral and Cummings parks. The anticipated completion date for this portion of the 2023 PW Paving project is scheduled for mid-July, pending weather delays. “Trail Closed” signage will be posted during the working day to alert residents of any hazards. Residents can still utilize the trails during non- working hours or weekends unless otherwise posted. For a complete list of City construction projects, visit cityofardenhills.org/216/ Construction-Projects, and for a list of County projects, visit ramseycounty. us/residents/roads-transportation/ current-roadwork. 4 • arden hills notes • June 2023 Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 4 • arden hills notes • June 2023 Starbucks Military Family Store (MFS) Economic Development Commission Drinking Water Report Construction Update Dog Park Improvements Meet Matt Johnson, the City’s Recreation Supervisor who started with the City six months ago. Matt is a Mankato native who attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and earned a Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services degree. Before coming to Arden Hills, he worked six years as a Recreation Specialist at the West Fargo (ND) Park District. After a successful stint in West Fargo, Matt and his wife, Alexandra, moved back to Minnesota to be closer to family. In April, they welcomed their first child, baby Callahan. Matt is a 90’s child. The last of the “leave the house early and don’t come back until dinner” kids. His parents encouraged him to play hard and make the most of the outdoors. This is how he found his love for making up games with friends and playing sports in the local parks. When he was 17, he became a T-Ball coach and received a rewarding amount of gratitude from the parents. So much so that it encouraged him to make a career out of recreation. “Arden Hills is a great place to work for. I see how committed the community is to their parks, trails, and recreation programming,” said Matt. He is excited about getting to know the families in the community, whether in planned recreation programs or just in a park on a nice day. New Recreation Supervisor Matt Johnson Upcoming Events Penny Carnival on Friday, July 21 Gather your pennies and join in for an afternoon of fun at the annual Penny Carnival! Games and activities cost between 2-4 cents to play. Don’t miss out on the fun carnival games, face painting, a caricature artist, and more. The carnival will be open from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, July 21, at Perry Park. It is a free event to attend. Night to Unite on Tuesday, August 1 It’s time for Night to Unite! Taking place this year on Tuesday, August 1, the annual night of festivities is designed to promote police-community partnerships and build neighborhood camaraderie. Neighborhoods typically observe Night to Unite in various ways including front porch vigils, block parties, and cookouts with visits from members of the fire department, sheriff’s office, and elected officials. The events are coordinated through the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. To organize and register a Night to Unite event in your neighborhood or find inspiration, information, and materials, visit cityofardenhills.org/unite.