The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11 November 2025 Arden Hills Notescityofardenhills.org • Nov. 2025 • 1 November 2025 Truth in Taxation Hearing Scheduled for December 8 The City of Arden Hills will hold its annual Truth-in-Taxation Hearing on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. The proposed 2026 General Fund expenditure budget totals $7,576,526, with a preliminary tax levy increase of 18.32%, setting a maximum levy of $7,132,270. While the preliminary levy reflects an increase, Arden Hills continues to rank among the lowest-taxed cities in Ramsey County. By law, this amount may be reduced before the end of the year but cannot be increased. Residents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the proposed budget and levy. The proposed levy increase goes to support the following: • General inflation • Increased cost for typical City operations, such as street maintenance, permit software conversion, server migration and park maintenance • Increased Public Safety costs: • Increased charges for policing services from the Sheriff’s Office • Increased costs for fire protection from the Lake Johanna Fire Department • Increases for employee costs, such as wage and cost of living adjustments, health insurance costs, which include the cost to implement the Minnesota Paid Leave program and other benefits Based on the preliminary values, the City’s share of property taxes would increase by $255 annually on a median-valued home, projected to be valued at $496,400 in 2026. General Fund Expenditure ($7,576,526) Police $2,095,819 General Government $1,726,891 Fire $1,065,552 Parks & Recreation $1,726,891 Public Works $950,810 Transfers $100,000 Other Public Safety $492,060 Rice Creek Commons Update Join the Joint Development Authority (JDA) on Thursday, Nov. 13 from noon - 1 p.m. for an informational webinar on how clean energy and innovation are advancing the vision of a long-term sustainable development at Rice Creek Commons! The JDA has long envisioned Rice Creek Commons to be an innovative and sustainable community. To further these goals, the JDA has started the certification process for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Communities, implemented sustainability design guidelines and advanced plans for a ground-source district energy system. Learn more about how this work will make the JDA’s clean energy vision a reality at Rice Creek Commons. To register for the webinar, visit https://tinyurl.com/RCC-Webinar A recording will be available on the Rice Creek Commons website following the webinar. Learn more about the Rice Creek Commons Plan at www.ricecreekcommons.com 2 • Arden Hills Notes • Nov. 2025 Service Directory City Hall 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 cityofardenhills.org 651-792-7800 Office Hours Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sheriff and Fire 911 - Emergency and 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 Kurt Weber • 651-792-7857 kweber@cityofardenhills.org City Administrator Jessica Jagoe • 651-792-7810 jjagoe@cityofardenhills.org Sr. Communications Coordinator Laura Michlig • 651-792-7817 lmichlig@cityofardenhills.org Resident Resources cityofardenhills.org/resident-resources Council meetings are held at City Hall on the 2nd and 4th Monday 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 • Nov. 2025 Are you planning to go all out with your home holiday light display this year? Help brighten the season by adding your address to the Holiday Light Map! In partnership with surrounding communities, the City of Arden Hills is once again joining in this fun and festive tradition. The interactive online map will feature dazzling light displays throughout the area, giving families the perfect way to plan an evening tour, filled with twinkling lights and holiday cheer. Participation is free, and prizes will be awarded to the top displays. Whether your style is classic white lights or a full-color musical spectacle, residents are encouraged to showcase their creativity and holiday spirit by adding their home to the map. For more information and to submit your address, visit www.cityofroseville.com/Holiday-Light-Map. The Holiday Light map will go live on December 5, 2025, so be sure to have your home decorated and submit your entry no later than December 3, 2025. North Suburban Holiday Light Map Holiday Season City Hall Closures Please note the following City Hall closure dates and times due to the holidays: • Thursday, Nov. 27 & Friday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving) • Wednesday, Dec. 24, noon closure (Christmas Eve) • Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) • Wednesday, Dec. 31, noon closure (New Year’s Eve) • Thursday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) Got a string of lights that won’t turn on? Don’t toss them—recycle them! The City of Arden Hills will once again collect old or non-working holiday lights for recycling this season. A collection bin will be available in the lobby of City Hall from November 17 through the end of January. Lights can be dropped off during regular business hours, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Please note: Lights will not be accepted when City Hall is closed for holidays.) Reminder: Only holiday lights should be placed in the bin— please remove and keep any bags, boxes or other storage materials. For more information about recycling hazardous materials and other items, visit ramseyrecycles.com/hhw. Holiday Lights Recycling 3 • Arden Hills Notes • Nov. 2025 October 13, 2025 City Council Mtg All votes 5-0 unless otherwise noted. • Approved Claims and Payroll • Approved Acknowledgment of Twin Cities Gateway Grant Funds • Approved Ordinance 2025-004 Amending Chapter 3 Rights-of-Way Related to Permitted Tree Varieties • Approved Resolution 2025-066 Accepting Donation from Arden Hills Foundation ($250.00) October 27, 2025 City Council Mtg All votes 5-0 unless otherwise noted. • Approved Claims and Payroll • Approved 2025 3rd Quarter Financials • Approved Resolution 2025-067 Accepting the Liability Coverage Limits from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) • Approved Cancellation of the January 26, February 23 and March 23, 2026 City Council Regular Meetings and Work Sessions • Approved Application for Ramsey County Public Entity Innovation Grant (PEIG) for Municipal Recycling Carts • Approved Resolution 2025-068 Authorizing 2026 Ramsey County SCORE Grant Application • Approved Payment No. 8 (Final) – S.M. Hentges & Sons, Inc. – 2024 PMP Street and Utility Improvements Project ($21,355.06) • Approved Payment No. 1 and Change Order No. 1 – New Look Contracting – Lift Station No. 5 Rehabilitation Project ($262,283.13 – payment; $10,250.00 – change order) • Approved Alexandria Troy to Serve as an Arden Hills Board Member on the Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau Board of Directors • Approved Resolution 2025-069 – Variance at 3254 Hamline Avenue North – Planning Case 25-011 • Approved Contract for Impound Services with Companion Animal Control LLC City Council Benchmarks For a complete list of recent City Council actions, visit cityofardenhills.org and click on “View Agendas and Minutes.” Economic Development Commission Local Business Event On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Arden Hills Economic Development Commission (EDC) hosted its Common Grounds networking event for local businesses at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl. Members of the EDC, City Council and City staff joined local business representatives for a morning of coffee, conversation and community connections. Attendees had the opportunity to network with fellow business owners and hear updates from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, EDC Council Liaison Emily Rousseau and others. The program highlighted topics like safety and crime prevention, and the City’s review of the zoning code as it relates to local businesses. The event featured a drawing for several fun prizes. It was a great turnout and an excellent opportunity for business leaders to share ideas, exchange insights and strengthen community connections. “We really appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and contribute to the discussion,” said EDC Chair Jud Murchie. “Hearing directly from our business owners helps guide the City’s and the Economic Development Commission’s efforts to make Arden Hills a great place to live and work.” A special “thank you” to our event sponsors — Dunn Brothers Coffee, Brausen Auto and Flaherty’s Arden Bowl — for helping make this event a success! The EDC looks forward to hosting similar events in the future, providing even more opportunities for businesses to connect, collaborate and contribute to the continued growth and success of Arden Hills. L to R: Council Liaison Rousseau, EDC Chair Jud Murchie and EDC Commissioner Kyle Sorenson 4 • Arden Hills Notes • Nov. 2025 Warming House hours are tentative and subject to staffing availability and weather conditions. WARMING HOUSE HOLIDAY HOURS Dec. 22, 23, 26, 29, 30 12-8:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Closed Christmas Day Closed New Year’s Eve 12-5 p.m. New Year’s Day 12-5 p.m. January 2, 2026 12-8:30 p.m. Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 19)12-8:30 p.m. Presidents Day (Feb. 16)12-8:30 p.m. Four city parks have seasonal ice rinks and warming houses. Depending on weather conditions, outdoor rinks are anticipated to be open from December 15, 2025 through February 16, 2026. Rinks will be closed if the temperature or the wind chill is -20 degrees Fahrenheit. WARMING HOUSE HOURS Monday-Friday 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday 12-8:30 p.m. Sunday 1-7 p.m. * Cummings Park will be open Friday-Sunday ONLY, in addition to the listed Holiday Hours. Use the push-light system to turn on the rink lights. ICE RINK LOCATIONS Cummings Park* 1219 Cummings Park Dr Pleasure Rink Only Hazelnut Park 3301 New Brighton Rd Freeway Park 1370 West County Rd E Perry Park 3700 New Brighton Rd Looking for a fun way to stay active this winter while supporting your community? The City of Arden Hills is hiring Ice Rink and Warming House attendants for the upcoming season! Attendants help maintain the warming house and outdoor ice rinks, ensuring they remain safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone. This position provides the opportunity to greet skaters and create a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. The pay range is $12.95–$14.05 per hour. To apply, visit cityofardenhills.org/425/Employment-Opportunities. Now Hiring: Ice Rink and Warming House Attendants Looking for something fun to do this winter? Keep an eye out for our upcoming Winter Activity Guide, featuring a wide variety of programs for all ages and interests! From yoga and adult sports, to Dash Sports camps, youth basketball development and many more exciting new programs for the 2025–2026 season, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to stay active, try a new hobby or connect with others in the community, the City of Arden Hills has you covered. The City, in partnership with the Arden Hills Foundation, also offers a scholarship program to help ensure all families have the opportunity to participate in City recreation programs, regardless of financial circumstances. For more information, contact Matt Johnson, Recreation Supervisor, at mjohnson@cityofardenhills.org or call 651-792-7848. Stay tuned—the new activity lineup will be available soon and registration will open shortly after publication! Register for Recreation Programming Ice Rinks and Locations 5 • Arden Hills Notes • Nov. 2025 Snow Plowing and Snow Removal With winter almost here, the City’s Public Works team is ready to keep roads safe and clear throughout the season. The City’s policy states plowing typically begins when two inches of snow have accumulated or after a snowstorm has subsided. However, crews may start plowing earlier when needed. This helps keep streets safe and clear before morning and evening rush hours, allowing residents to travel safely and efficiently. Please note that Arden Hills does not maintain a “dry pavement” policy. This means roads may remain snow-packed or slippery in some areas. Drivers, walkers and cyclists are encouraged to use extra caution and good judgment when traveling during the winter months. Crews work hard to clear snow efficiently, and plows will get as close as possible to mailboxes. Residents are responsible for clearing snow around their own mailboxes and nearby fire hydrants to ensure safe access for mail delivery and emergency services. The City also plows sidewalks and trails as conditions allow. However, some trails may remain unplowed if icing makes them too steep or unsafe for equipment. Parking Restrictions To ensure safe and efficient snow removal, the City reminds residents that on-street parking is not allowed after a snowfall of two or more inches. Parking can resume once plowing has been completed. Keeping streets clear of parked vehicles allows snowplows to operate safely and effectively—helping crews clear the roads faster and ensuring everyone can travel safely. Vehicles left on the street during active snow removal may receive a citation and could be towed by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department if necessary for safety. Remember, on-street parking is prohibited city-wide between 2-6 a.m. year-round. Residents can apply for an overnight parking permit for specific events and for motorized vehicles only. By working together, we can help keep Arden Hills’ streets safe and accessible all winter long. November 17-21 is Winter Hazard Awareness Week. To help Minnesota residents minimize the risks of winter, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety sponsors Winter Hazard Awareness Week each fall in collaboration with the National Weather Service and other state, federal and non-profit agencies. The week-long campaign will include media and digital promotions, information and resources that can be used with school, church or civic programs. Topics include winter storms, outdoor winter safety, winter fire safety, indoor winter safety and winter driving. Learn more at cityofardenhills.org/winter-hazard. Winter Hazard Awareness Week Winter is just around the corner and that means snow plowing updates, weather alerts and other important City information are more valuable than ever. Make sure you’re in the know by signing up for email and text notifications from the City of Arden Hills! Subscribers can choose from a variety of topics, including: • City News and Newsletters: Learn about upcoming events, community projects and City programs • Public Works Updates: Receive timely information about snow plowing, street maintenance and construction projects • Emergency and Important Alerts: Stay informed during weather events or service interruptions • City Council and Public Meeting Updates: Follow discussions and decisions happening in our community Signing up is quick and easy! Just visit cityofardenhills.org/NotifyMe to customize your preferences. Sign Up to Receive Email and Text Notifications Snow Plowing in Arden Hills 6 • Arden Hills Notes • Nov. 2025 Truth in Taxation Hearing Rice Creek Commons Update Local Business Event Holiday Lights Map Council Benchmarks Winter Activities in Arden Hills Employee Spotlight + more! Postal Customer The City of Arden Hills is excited to introduce Jess Skalicky as the new Parks and Recreation Manager. Jess is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in Parks, Recreation and Outdoor Adventure programming. Jess grew up in Orlando, Florida and attended Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach for her undergraduate studies. Later she earned a Master’s degree in Outdoor Recreation from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Her career has taken her across the country. Before joining Arden Hills, she worked in Parks and Recreation for the City of Burnsville. When Jess isn’t working to enhance Arden Hills’ parks and recreation opportunities, she enjoys staying active. Jess loves running, backpacking and biking. She has even biked across the United States — Twice! These days, most of her free time is spent with her energetic 3-year-old twins. Jess says one of her favorite parts of working in Arden Hills is the strong sense of community and volunteerism. “Our parks are kept beautiful by a wonderful network of great people who love trees, parks and our natural spaces,” she shared. “It’s wonderful to have strong community involvement.” With her enthusiasm for the outdoors and her commitment to community engagement, Jess is a perfect fit for Arden Hills’ vibrant Parks and Recreation team.Jess Skalicky, Parks and Recreation Manager Inside Arden Hills, MN . 55112-5734 ECR-WSS PRST STD U.S. Postage Paid TWIN CITIES, MN Permit #1710 Let’s Get Social! Follow us on social media and subscribe to email alerts. Be the first to know all that’s happening, important updates and upcoming events. Visit cityofardenhills.org Welcome Jess Skalicky, Parks and Recreation Manager