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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-13-25-R�T_ �-AI�EN HILLS Approved: October 27, 2025 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 13, 2025 7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. declaring October 13, 2025 as a non -holiday to conduct City business. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Tena Monson, Emily Rousseau and Kurt Weber Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Jessica Jagoe; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen; Community Development Director Jake Reilly; and Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting,; w,,enda as presented. The motion carried (5-0). 2. TCAAP/RICE CREEK COMMONS UPDATE City Administrator Jagoe stated the Joint Development Authority Advisory Committee met on September 26t'. JDA staff provided the advisory committee with updates on the infrastructure timeline and site grading. The Advisory Committee also reviewed the final language of the Request for Information, which has since been released, and responses are due by October 20. Next, the Joint Development Authority held a work session on October 6'. At this meeting, Ramsey County Public Works staff and their consultants, Kimley Horn presented a Rice Creek Boulevard infrastructure improvements update. Images were shared of a typical cross-section of the majority of the roadway, as well as the utility layout, including the district energy corridor. Commissioners shared feedback on the trail widths to ensure pedestrian safety for a variety of uses such as bikers and walkers and there were ideas on the aesthetics of the bridge crossing design. County staff shared that the images were conceptual renderings and that final design ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — OCTOBER 13, 2025 2 details will be confirmed for compliance with the TRC and brought back to the JDA. County staff shared they are working through a myriad of agencies through this process for permitting and explained some of those critical paths for timing, such as protected species and construction measures that will need to be taken to mitigate impacts. Also, the JDA reviewed draft slides for an upcoming sustainability webinar. This event is likely to occur in early November and will be promoted on the Rice Creek Commons and City websites. 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 5. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS None. 6. STAFF COMMENTS A. Transportation Update Public Works Director Swearingen reported the contractor was moving to the next phase of the project for Lift Station No. 5. He indicated this phase of the project would take one to two weeks to complete. He encouraged residents to drive slowly through the project area. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 22, 2025, City Council Work Session B. September 22, 2025, Regular City Council C. September 29, 2025, Special City Council MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the September 22. 2025. City Council Work Session minutes as amended, the September 22, 2025, Regular Citv Council meeting minutes as presented; and the September 29, 2025, Special Citv Council meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried (5-0). 8. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Acknowledgment of Twin Cities Gateway Grant Funds C. Motion to Approve Ordinance 2025-004 Amending Chapter 3 Rights -of -Way Related to Permitted Tree Varieties D. Motion to Approve Resolution 2025-066 Accepting Donation from Arden Hills Foundation ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — OCTOBER 13, 2025 3 MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Weber seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessarN documents contained therein. The motion carried (LL 9. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 10. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS None. 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 13. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Weber stated the Planning Commission met last Wednesday and reviewed a rear -yard variance that was recommended for Council approval. Councilmember Holden thanked the Gathering Place on New Brighton Road for holding a Trunk or Treat event for the community. Councilmember Holden explained she would like to receive an update on Round Lake because the County would be moving forward with some adjustments. Councilmember Holden stated there was confusion regarding the comments that have been made about the lack of work the past City Councils have done within the City parks. She was surprised because during the last Park Plan, 3 new parks were added. She said that when she joined the Council there were only 6 wooden benches in the parks, so a bench program was added and now there are multiple benches in every park. She indicated the City began taking care of oak wilt and Dutch elm and previously worked with Friends of Ramsey County in which people donated hundreds of trees that were planted. She noted there was no maintenance schedule when she joined the Council, things were just fixed as they broke. She said the tennis courts used to also be crumbling but the City made sure the courts were maintained. The parks you see today are a result of millions of dollars over the past 20 years, and she was insulted that it was said nothing had been done with the parks. Councilmember Monson reported she attended the flashlight pumpkin hunt with her children. She thanked the Arden Hills Foundation for the pumpkin donations. Mayor Grant reminded the public there was still funding available within the water rebate fund and encouraged residents to consider installing a water conserving washer or dishwasher. Those ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — OCTOBER 13, 2025 4 interested could apply with the City in order to receive up to $200 on a future water bill. He explained details regarding this program were available on the City's website. Mayor Grant reviewed a photo of the new Lake Johanna Fire Department being constructed on Pine Tree Drive. Mayor Grant explained he would be conducting a tour of City Hall with a local Girls Scout Chapter on Tuesday, October 14. City Administrator Jagoe clarified the request for an update on Round Lake and indicated this would be provided to the City Council. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:17 p.m. Hanson David Grant Clerk Mayor i