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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-26 SJDASpecial Joint Development Authority Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Arden Hills City Council Chambers Minutes 5:30 pm Roll Call Joint Development Authority: Chair Jon Wicklund, Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh, Commissioner Kurt Weber, Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire Absent was: Commissioner Tena Monson Also present: Jacob Reilly (Arden Hills), Ella Mitchell (Ramsey County), Rachel Tierney (Kennedy & Graven) Roll call taken. Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner McGuire seconded by Commissioner Jebens-Singh to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Weber seconded by Commissioner McGuire to approve the December 1, 2025 Special Closed JDA meeting minutes, the February 2, 2026 JDA Work Session meeting minutes, and the February 2, 2026 JDA meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. Public Input Donna Weiman, 1406 Arden View Drive, noted the Road Map shows the JDA Advisory Committee would be meeting next on Friday, March 13. She requested this meeting be available to the public via Zoom. Consent Agenda None. Old Business None. Public Hearings None. New Business a. Consider TRC Amendment Requests Eric Fosmo, Kimley Horn, stated at the October 2025 JDA work session, staff presented an infrastructure project update focused on the planned Ramsey County infrastructure work. They outlined the overall scope, progress, and key design considerations and received feedback and questions from the JDA. Ramsey County staff and consultants came back to the February 2025 JDA work session with more information on these topics, including an updated project status and refined information on TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) amendment requests. At that meeting, the JDA reached consensus around the direction on the topic of multi-use trail design width, however they asked for more information to support additional discussion on the topic of lighting. Mr. Fosmo explained a technical memorandum was provided at the February 2026 JDA work session, and it has been updated with the requested information and attached for JDA review. It discusses both the lighting and multi-use trail design elements as outlined in the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) and provides supporting detail related to the proposed infrastructure improvements. Staff request that the JDA consider recommending that City and County staff bring the two TRC amendments requested by Ramsey County to their respective elected bodies for consideration. The first amendment request is for Multi-Use Trails along Rice Creek Boulevard and then second is for Street Lighting along Rice Creek Boulevard. He reviewed the proposed requests in further detail with the JDA and reported the recommended action was to direct staff to bring the two requests forward to the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County. Commissioner McGuire noted the request is for the multi-use trails to be 12 feet wide. She questioned if this was wide enough for walkers and bikers with two-way traffic. Mr. Fosmo indicated a 10 foot trail was typical and allows for two way traffic for both bikers and walkers. Commissioner McGuire inquired if the trail would be striped for safety purposes. Mr. Fosmo indicated the trail would not be striped. Commissioner Weber requested further information regarding the proposed lighting requirements. Mr. Fosmo reviewed the lighting recommendations in further detail with the JDA. Commissioner Jebens-Singh reported at the last JDA meeting there was an extensive conversation regarding the trail width and lighting. She understood Arden Hills had a standard trail width of eight feet but for some reason in the TRC, the trail width was set at 12 feet. She indicated Ramsey County has a standard trail width of 10 feet. She commented there was no recollection on why the TRC was set at 12 feet instead of eight feet. She reported the end discussion was to conform to the 10 foot trail width. Commissioner McGuire recalled there was an extended conversation on this topic, noting she was not able to attend this meeting. She discussed how there could be a lot of walkers and bikers on this trail, which may have led to the 12 foot width. She inquired if the trail could be striped if 10 feet wide. Mr. Fosmo indicated he does not typically see multi-use trails striped separate for bikes and pedestrians. Commissioner Weber noted no final action was being taken on this item rather, the JDA would be recommending that Ramsey County and the Arden Hills City Council review the TRC amendments. Commissioner McGuire asked if it would be difficult to make the multi-use trail 12 feet wide. Chair Wicklund stated Ramsey County’s standard for trails was 10 feet. Mr. Fosmo indicated a 12 foot trail would require stormwater treatment for the entire trail from the Rice Creek Watershed District, while this would not be required with a 10 foot trail. John Mazzitello, Ramsey County Public Works Director, commented the County’s standard was to construct 10 foot wide trails. He noted this was done for maintenance purposes because they could be plowed with one pass while a 12 foot wide trail would require two passes. He stated there would be a bigger maintenance burden for the City of Arden Hills if the trail were 12 feet wide. He explained staff was not able to track down in the minutes why a 12 foot trail was proposed. He commented further on the differences between a right of way trail and a regional trail. Director Mitchell reported this was the case, noting she was not able to find a reason for the 12 foot wide trail. Commissioner Jebens-Singh explained at Ramsey County’s recent workshop meeting the commissioners discussed building tax capacity. She indicated the completion of the Rice Creek Commons project would build tax capacity for both the County and City. She recommended the JDA not require and oversized right of way as this land would not be generating tax capacity. Commissioner McGuire concurred and recommended the JDA also not overpark the site because parking lots do not generate tax capacity either. Motion by Commissioner Jebens-Singh seconded by Commissioner Weber to recommend staff bring forward the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) amendment changing the trail width from 12 feet to 10 feet to the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County for their consideration. Motion carried. Motion by Commissioner Weber seconded by Commissioner Jebens-Singh to recommend staff bring forward the lighting amendments within the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) to the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County for their consideration. Commissioner Jebens-Singh inquired if the County typically lit their trails. Mr. Mazzitello reported the County does not typically light trails, but this was a request of the City and would become the City’s maintenance and electrical issue. Motion carried. b. Review Annual Report Director Mitchell stated per the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), the JDA must prepare an annual report at the end of each calendar year and submit to the City and County no later than February 15 of the following year. The JDA Annual Report for 2025 was submitted to the City and County and is presented to the JDA for review. Commissioner Jebens-Singh requested this report be placed on the Rice Creek Commons website. c. Review Road Map Director Mitchell reviewed the Road Map with the JDA. She noted the JDA Advisory Committee would be meeting on Friday, March 13. She indicated the Energy Advisory Committee would be meeting on Wednesday, April 8. Commissioner McGuire asked if the JDA Advisory Committee meeting would be able to be viewed by Zoom. Director Mitchell explained she anticipated this would be an open meeting for the public to view. Chair Wicklund asked if the JDA would be moving forward with an infrastructure webinar in June. Commissioner Weber recalled this webinar would be pushed back to September. Administrative Director’s Report Director Mitchell stated City and County staff have been meeting to discuss the hybrid development approach. Development Director’s Report Director Reilly stated he had nothing additional to report. Commissioner Updates Commissioner McGuire encouraged the public to review the County’s most recent worksession meeting. She noted this worksession meeting was available on the County’s website. Commissioner Weber reported the Arden Hills City Council recently sent to the planning commission an inclusionary housing ordinance and ADU ordinance. Commissioner Jebens-Singh explained property value statements would be sent to residents shortly and noted the open book meeting would be held on Tuesday, April 7. Commissioner Jebens-Singh commented on the initiatives that were being pursued by the County to admonish the activities that occurred during Operation Metro Surge, along with putting a two month stay in place for Ramsey County property taxes. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:27 pm. Approved _____________________________________ _______________________ Jon Wicklund, Chair Date April 29, 2026