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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08 Aug/Sept 2023 Arden Hills Notescityofardenhills.org • aug/sept 2023 • 1 The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents Aug/Sept 2023 The Public Works Department has received several phone calls this spring and summer regarding deer on private property. Some residents have expressed frustration with the destruction caused to their plants as well as the overall presence of deer on their property. Unlike rabbits, deer do not always fit in well in the backyard! If you are dealing with curious deer exploring your yard a little too often, here are some suggestions to help you deter them peacefully. 1. Fencing: Install a sturdy fence up to six feet tall around your yard. 2. Deer-Resistant Plants: Incorporate plants that deer tends to avoid into your landscaping. 3. Repellents: Use natural or commercial repellents with scents that deer find unappealing. 4. Noise Deterrents: Hang wind chimes, tin cans, or windsocks around your yard. 5. Secure Compost and Trash: Ensure your compost pile and trash cans are securely covered. To learn more about living with wildlife, visit cityofardenhills.org/731/Living-with-Wildlife. If a deer or other animal happens to die on your property, please note the City does not remove those animals. Dead animals found on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to remove. You should follow one of these options: • Check if your garbage hauler will take the dead animal. • Some local companies may provide wildlife removal services (check online by searching “Pest Control” or “Wildlife Control Services” to find listings of companies). • Bring the dead animal to a local disposal company recommended by Ramsey County: Burnsville Landfill (953-890-3248), Elk River Landfill (763-441-2464), Pine Bend Sanitary Landfill (651-457-2778) Find addresses and more information at ramseycounty.us/content/dead-animals. If you encounter a public safety concern, including any safety hazards, relating to animals, please call the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office at 9-1-1. Rabata Cultural Center and Bookstore celebrated their recent expansion of their Arden Hills location. On June 10, Rabata welcomed in guests for a fun evening that included a display of Tracks in the Snow – a look at diversity in the Muslim community, networking, and a live performance by Minnesota hip-hop artist Brother Ali. Rabata seeks to bring residents together in an inviting space dedicated to literacy, cultural education, and the enrichment of the community. The warm and welcoming space hosts book launches, readings, workshops, and similar gatherings in their meeting and conference space. To learn more about Rabata, visit bookshop.rabata.org. Mayor Grant with attendees of Rabata's expansion celebration event on June 10. Rabata Expansion Deer Deterrent Tactics and How to Dispose of Dead Animals 2 • arden hills notes • aug/sept 2023 Service Directory City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Office Hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.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 • aug/sept 2023 Regular Office Hours Resume at City Hall City Hall will resume regular office hours beginning on Tuesday, September 5. City Hall is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For assistance with water or sewer problems during non-business hours, please call 651-767-0640. Register Now for Fall Parks & Recreation Programs Registration is now open for Fall 2023 Parks and Recreation classes, sports, and activities. From dance to after-school programs, there's something for everyone! Register online at cityofardenhills.org/ParksandRecGuide or in person by visiting City Hall. Ask for Matt Johnson, Recreation Supervisor. Note that Fall Soccer League registration began in early summer and is now closed. State of the City Update The next State of the City will be held on January 20, 2024. More details will be included in upcoming newsletters as well as on the City’s website and social media channels. TCAAP Updates Up-to-date information regarding the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons project can be found on the City’s website at cityofardenhills.org/172/TCAAP-Redevelopment. Upcoming discussions may include density scenarios, real estate market updates, and an overview of the remediation done on the site. The JDA is also in the beginning planning stages of a community engagement event. THC Edibles and Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization With the State of Minnesota’s recent law changes regarding THC edibles (low potency) and the legalization of Adult-Use Cannabis (high potency), many changes are coming at the State and Local levels. Please watch the City’s website for future changes regarding City ordinance updates and other helpful information as it pertains to Arden Hills. For questions, please contact City Hall at 651-792-7800. Ralph Reeder Food Shelf The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and Community Resource Center continues to see many new families who are struggling to make ends meet. They continue to focus on ways to provide a wide variety of nutritious foods and connections to other resources to the people who need it most, as often as they need it, through curbside pickups, in-person shopping, and home deliveries. Each month, they serve nearly 3,500 adults, seniors, and children and distributed nearly one million pounds of food and other basic needs last year. The majority of the individuals served are children. You can drop donations in person Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the back entrance. LOCATION: 2544 Mounds View Blvd., Mounds View, MN 55112 PHONE: 651-621-6280 City News cityofardenhills .org • aug/sept 2023 • 3 cityofardenhills.org • aug/sept 2023 • 3 July 10, 2023 City Council Meeting All votes 5-0 unless otherwise noted. • Approved Ordinance 2023-007 Amending Chapter 2, Section 220, Subsections 220.04 and 220.05 – Regulations for Boards, Committees and Commissions (Youth Commissioners) and Authorized Publication of a Summary Ordinance • Approved Change Order No. 1 – Removing Arden Manor Park Hard Court Improvements Scope of Work from the Arden Manor Park and Floral Park Improvements Project July 24, 2023 City Council Meeting All votes 3-0 unless otherwise noted. Councilmembers Holden and Rousseau excused absence. • Approved Data Practices Policy Annual Review • Approved Resolution 2023-037 Appointing EDC Commissioners Ted Brausen, Julie Gronquist and Jud Murchie • Approved Transfer Fund Balance from General Fund to PIR Capital Fund • Approved Lake Johanna Fire Department Capital Expenditure • Approved Resolution 2023-038, 2024 PMP – Accepting Feasibility Report & Ordering Improvement Public Hearing • Approved Resignation of Finance Director • Approved Recruitment of Finance Director Aug. 14, 2023 City Council Meeting All votes 4-0 unless otherwise noted. Councilmember Fabel excused absence. • Approved Resignation of Public Works Maintenance Employee • Approved Recruitment of Public Works Maintenance Employee • Approved Resolution 2023-039 Appointing Frank Cupery to the Economic Development Commission • Approved State of the City Scheduling (January 20) Motion passed 3-1. Grant opposed. • Approved Professional Services Agreement with Bolton & Menk –– Lift Station No. 5 Forcemain Rehabilitation Project • Held Public Hearing and Approved Resolution 2023-040 Ordering Improvements and Preparation of Plans and Specifications – 2024 PMP Street and Utility Improvements Project For a complete listing of recent City Council actions, visit cityofardenhills. org and click on “View Agendas and Minutes." Upcoming Events Bark & Rec Day – September 9 Bring your furry best friend out to our newly updated Perry Park Dog Park on Saturday, September 9 from 1-3 p.m. They will run, jump, and have a tail wagging good time with our parks and recreation staff. Enjoy the fall weather while your furry pals have a chance to win prizes and make new friends. MN Building Trades Beyond the Yellow Ribbon RIBFEST – September 16 Snack on some delicious ribs at Ribfest on Saturday, September 16! This is a free event to attend, but tickets must be purchased to participate in the rib tasting. Ribfest opens to the public at 1 p.m. and the tasting will be from 3-5 p.m. This event will be held at the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Headquarters at 4800 Hamline Avenue North in Arden Hills. All proceeds benefit Minnesota Building Trades Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, supporting Minnesota’s Servicemembers, Veterans and Military Families. Learn more at facebook.com/mnbuildingtradesribfest. Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt – October 7 The Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt will be held Saturday, October 7, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Cummings Park, hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department. The Pumpkin Hunt will lead you all around the park searching for pumpkins under the starlight! Wear your favorite costume to participate in a drawing. Enjoy treats, refreshments, and some spooky games. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp. Ages 2-12. $13 per resident, $15 per non-resident. You must pre-register by Friday, September 29 at cityofardenhills.org/recregistration. Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) The City of Arden Hills is launching a new, FREE senior fitness program that will run three times a week. Classes will be held at City Hall and are specifically geared toward adults 55 or older to help improve strength, balance, and mobility. If you are interested in joining or being an instructor, please contact Matt Johnson at mjohnson@cityofardenhills.org or call 651-792- 7848. Matt will use the interest list to help organize the classes. City Council Benchmarks 4 • arden hills notes • aug/sept 2023 With snow plow season just around the corner, ensuring your mailbox is ready to withstand the elements and the force of snow being pushed aside by passing plows is essential. A critical step in this preparation is to replace weak mailbox posts before they get damaged by snow. A weak mailbox post can easily be knocked over or damaged by the impact of snow pushed by a plow, leading to inconvenience and additional expenses for repairs. When assessing your current mailbox structure, take an extra close look at the following: 1. Stability: Check the stability of the post by gently pushing it from various angles. If it wobbles or shows signs of weakness, it's time for a replacement. 2. Material Quality: Ensure that your mailbox post is made of sturdy and durable materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy snow and icy winds. 3. Rust and Decay: Examine the post for any signs of rust or decay. Rust weakens the metal, and decaying wood can compromise the structural integrity of the post. Replacing weak mailbox posts and reinforcing existing ones can go a long way in preventing damage and ensuring that our mail continues to be delivered safely and efficiently. To learn more, visit usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm. Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent stormwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants. Anything that enters a storm sewer system (like down a drain in your street) is discharged into the bodies of water we use for swimming and fishing, such as Lake Johanna, Karth Lake, and Lake Josephine. What can I do? • Adopt a Drain near your house and help prevent these pollutants from washing into local water bodies. • Properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste like medicines, paints, and chemicals at the Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste sites. • Take your yard waste to a local Ramsey County collection site. Don’t let it build up around drains or rake into waterways. • Remember to clean up your pet waste. • Install a rain garden or rain barrel on your property. • Limit herbicide and pesticide applications on your property, especially before windy or rainy days. • Keep your vehicle maintained to prevent auto fluids from leaking onto the streets. Adopt-A-Drain photo courtesy of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization. Sign up to adopt a drain at adopt-a-drain.org. During the month of September, the Chatham Trails area will welcome roughly 20-30 goats to feast on buckthorn! Goats damage the plants and cause them to resprout from the ground, wasting their root energy. Over time, this can kill the buckthorn. This makes them an excellent resource for removing large quantities of buckthorn. Residents are invited to walk the trails during this time to see the goats at work. Two fences will be put up to keep the goats from wandering; one low-voltage electric fence on the side closest to the goats and one regular fence to keep people away from the energized fence. The fences will be installed by September 1 and signs on and near the fences will notify visitors about the project. Some of the trails may be temporarily closed due to the way the fencing may be laid out, so it will be important for visitors to refer to the posted signage. Many thanks to all the Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee members, plus other volunteers, for their countless hours picking buckthorn and interviewing potential contractors for this goat grazing project. If you have any questions, please call the Public Works Department at 651-792-7850. Is Your Mailbox Ready for Snow Plow Season? What is Stormwater Runoff? Goat Grazing for Buckthorn Removal at Chatham Trails cityofardenhills .org • aug/sept 2023 • 5 cityofardenhills.org • aug/sept 2023 • 5 Committees and Commissions Appreciation Picnic Each summer, the City’s Commissions and Committees volunteers are invited to a picnic hosted by City Council and staff to thank them for their commitment and involvement with the City. This picnic is held to show gratitude to those who devote their time and expertise to the Arden Hills community. This year it was held at Cummings Park on July 18 with food from Old Southern BBQ and beverages from Northern Soda Company. Thank you to all of our volunteers and to everyone who joined us at the picnic! If you’re interested in getting involved as a volunteer with the City, please contact City Clerk Julie Hanson at jhanson@cityofardenhills.org or 651-792-7811. Penny Carnival Arden Hills Parks & Recreation hosted another fun-filled and jam-packed Penny Carnival again this year. From dunk tanks to face painting and plenty of games, there was something fun for every kid. This year we welcomed over 300 people to Perry Park! Thank you to the City’s Parks & Recreation staff and volunteers for helping make this year a big success. Night to Unite Another successful Night to Unite brought many from our community together to share laughs and resources as they connected with their neighbors, City Council members, members of City Staff, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, and Lake Johanna Fire Department. The City's Public Works department brought the big rigs out in full force, and the kids loved it! And residents found time to interact with the Sheriff's Office in a friendly and informal setting. It was a beautiful night in Arden Hills. Recent City Events 6 • arden hills notes • aug/sept 2023 Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid TWIN CITIES, MN Permit #1710 Rabata Expansion Deer Deterrent City News Upcoming Events Goat Grazing Postal Customer Fall Clean-Up Day is Saturday, October 7 The annual Fall Clean-up Day is on Saturday, October 7, at Recycle Technologies, located at 1525 99th Lane NE in Blaine. Arden Hills residents (ID required) can drop off refuse and electronics for a fee. A coupon to recycle two free items is available below and on the City website at cityofardenhills.org/1148/. Be sure to bring a form of ID confirming your Arden Hills residence along with your coupon! Ramsey County has partnered with Repowered to provide free electronics recycling for residents. This is a separate service from Clean-up Day. Using Repowered for recycling unwanted electronics and using the Clean-up Day coupon to recycle other non-electronic items is recommended. Repowered is located at 860 Vandalia Street in St. Paul. Items Accepted: Electronic (TVs, computers, printers, etc.), Computer hard drives, appliances, tires, water softeners, BBQ grills, batteries, fluorescent lamps, mattresses, lawn mowers, snow blowers, scrap metal, paper shredding, carpeting, vacuum cleaners, bicycles Items NOT Accepted: Brush/yard waste, railroad ties, plastic, cardboard, Styrofoam, wood, oversized items such as hot tubs, boats, sheds, or engines containing gasoline or oil Clean-up Day is a residential recycling collection event open to Arden Hills residents only. Participants must bring proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill. For more information, visit cityofardenhills.org/cleanupday. To find other disposal options visit RamseyRecycles.com or call 651.633.EASY. *If an item contains oil or gasoline, it must be drained or it will not be accepted. Used oil and gasoline can be disposed at the Ramsey County Household Hazardous Waste site at 5 Empire Drive in Saint Paul.