Arden Hills public meetings in 2022

City Council

The City Council decided to keep the minimum winter average for sewer charges at 9,000 gallons to avoid impacting city revenue and causing rate increases. The council also discussed potential park improvements and volunteer recognition, though no final votes were recorded for those items.

• Maintained minimum winter average for sewer charges at 9,000 gallons
• Removed Minor Code Changes and Tree Plan items from the Council Tracker

City Council

The City Council approved a consent calendar including a vehicle purchase and two resolutions. A public hearing and planning case for a senior living development were cancelled and tabled at the applicant's request.

• Approved Resolution 2022-058 variance for 1861 Highway 96 W (5-0)
• Approved purchase of 2025 Mack Plow Truck to replace 2012 International Plow Truck (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2022-059 MnDOT agency agreement for construction (5-0)
• Cancelled public hearing for Planning Case 22-023 (5-0)
• Tabled Planning Case 22-023 New Perspective Senior Living to a time uncertain (5-0)
• Approved December 12, 2022 meeting and work session minutes (5-0)

City Council

The City Council discussed proposed roundabout improvements at the County Road E and Old Snelling intersection. Members decided to defer a final decision on the project to the new City Council in January 2023.

• Deferred decision on County Road E and Old Snelling intersection improvements to the new City Council in January 2023

City Council

The City Council adopted the 2023 budget and set the final tax levy at 5.5%, reducing it from a preliminary 7%. The Council also extended the terms of two JDA board members and cancelled several upcoming regular meetings.

• Set final 2023 tax levy at 5.5% (5-0)
• Adopted 2023 budget with a $70,000 transfer to the Public Safety Fund removed (5-0)
• Extended JDA terms for Chair Brian Holmes and Commissioner David Grant through Dec 31, 2024 (5-0)
• Cancelled regular City Council meetings on Dec 26, 2022, Jan 23, Feb 27, and March 27, 2023 (5-0)
• Approved 2023 Non-Union Employee Compensation Plan (5-0)
• Approved 2023 Fee Schedule via Ordinance 2022-009 (5-0)
• Approved 2023 liquor license renewals and new license for Siam Thai (5-0)
• Approved 2023 tobacco license renewals (5-0)

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission recommended approval for a front yard setback variance at 1861 Highway 96 West. It also recommended a partial approval for a PUD amendment at 3565 Pine Tree Drive, approving three signs while denying a proposed roof sign.

• Recommended approval of front yard setback variance for 1861 Highway 96 West (6-0)
• Recommended approval of PUD Amendment signs 1, 3, and 4 at 3565 Pine Tree Drive (6-0)
• Recommended denial of roof sign (sign 2) at 3565 Pine Tree Drive (6-0)
• Approved December 7, 2022 agenda (6-0)
• Approved November 9, 2022 meeting minutes (6-0)

City Council

The City Council approved variances for lot depth, front yard setbacks, and driveway access to allow a single-family home on a city-owned parcel. The Council also approved quarterly special assessments for delinquent utilities to be collected via property taxes.

• Approved variances for lot depth, front yard setbacks, and driveway access at 3588 Ridgewood Road (4-0)
• Adopted Resolution 2022-053 to certify delinquent utility balances to Ramsey County for property tax collection (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 2022-051 accepting 2023 liability coverage limits from LMCIT (4-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2022-007 regarding design standards and tree preservation for Planning Case 22-021 (4-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2022-008 regarding the initial meeting of the year (4-0)
• Approved Resolution 2022-052 decertifying TIF Renewal and Renovation District No. 1-4 (Presbyterian Homes) (4-0)
• Approved payment No. 4 to T. A. Schifsky & Sons, Inc. for Snelling Avenue North improvements (4-0)
• Approved November 14, 2022, meeting minutes (4-0)

City Council

The City Council held a work session to discuss updated staging and costs for the County Road E and Old Snelling intersection roundabout project. No formal decisions were made, as the Mayor indicated the Council would need further discussion due to budget increases.

City Council

The City Council held a work session to discuss the 2023 budget, fee schedules, and remote meeting policies. Members reached a consensus to pursue Option 2 for residential properties regarding the decertification of TIF District 4. No final votes were taken on the budget or remote meeting directions.

• Consensus reached to pursue Option 2 for residential properties for TIF District 4 decertification

Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee

The committee approved a request for a cost feasibility study regarding automatic timer locks for restrooms at Perry and Cummings Parks. Members also added a trail extension to the 2023 work plan and agreed to suggest names for the Parkshore Loop trail.

• Approved request for cost feasibility study on automatic timer locks at Perry and Cummings Parks (7-1)
• Approved adding an extension of the Elmer Anderson trail from the high school to County Road E2 to the 2023 work plan (unanimous)
• Approved focusing on function and location criteria to suggest names for the Parkshore Loop trail (unanimous)
• Approved agenda and minutes as amended (unanimous)
• Tabled park stewardship and rain garden items (unanimous)
• Decided not to hold a December meeting (unanimous)
• Approved meeting dates of January 24 and February 28, 2023 (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council approved the meeting agenda and minutes from four previous sessions. The council passed a consent calendar that included the certification of 2022 municipal election results and several administrative contracts. No new business was introduced.

• Approved meeting agenda
• Approved minutes for Oct 17, Oct 24 (Regular and Special), and Nov 7 meetings (3-0)
• Approved claims and payroll
• Approved payment to Springbrook Holding Company LLC for 2023 software maintenance fees
• Approved Resolution 2022-050 certifying 2022 Municipal Election Canvass Results
• Authorized 2023 medical insurance contract for non-union employees
• Approved update to personnel policy benefit language
• Approved professional services agreement amendment with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for Mounds View High School Trail Improvements

Planning Commission

The Commission recommended updating the zoning code to allow tree preservation fees to be used for general landscaping. It also split a variance request for 3588 Ridgewood Road, recommending approval for lot depth but recommending denial for setbacks and driveway access.

• Recommended approval of Zoning Code Amendments (Ordinance 2022-007) to expand tree preservation fees to include landscaping (6-1)
• Recommended approval of non-conforming lot depth variance at 3588 Ridgewood Road (7-0)
• Recommended denial of lot setback and driveway access variances at 3588 Ridgewood Road (4-3)
• Denied motion to recommend overall approval of Planning Case 22-019 (3-4)
• Denied motion to table the tree preservation ordinance amendment (2-5)

City Council

The City Council held a special meeting to address the consent calendar. The council approved the appointment of a Recreation Supervisor.

• Approved meeting agenda (3-0)
• Approved appointment of Recreation Supervisor (3-0)

City Council

The council adopted Resolution 2022-051, lowering the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on roads under city jurisdiction, effective February 1, 2023. A conditional use permit for a security fence at the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office was approved (3-2). Consent items included approval of 2022 Q4 financials, 2023 recycling fees, and a recycling contract extension with Republic Services.

• Adopted 25 mph speed limit sign plan for city streets (4-1)
• Approved conditional use permit for security fence at 1411 Paul Kirkwood Drive (3-2)
• Approved 2022 Q4 financials (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2022-044 designating polling places for 2023 elections (5-0)
• Approved 2023 curbside and non-curbside recycling fees (5-0)
• Approved recycling contract extension with Republic Services (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2022-046 authorizing application for Recycling SCORE Grant funds (5-0)
• Approved 2023 purchase of F450 crane truck (5-0)

City Council

The City Council held a work session to discuss 2023 employee benefits after receiving a nearly 50% premium increase from the current provider, PEIP. Council reached consensus to pursue a HealthPartners plan as outlined in Attachment C, continue a $125 monthly HSA contribution, and offer a $175 monthly opt-out cash option for employees who waive coverage. No formal vote was taken; direction was given to staff to prepare for budget approval and policy changes.

• Consensus to pursue HealthPartners plan as presented in Attachment C
• Consensus to continue $125/month HSA contribution for employees on City medical plan
• Consensus to offer $175/month cash opt-out for employees waiving City medical coverage
• Council requested comparison figures on opt-out amounts from other cities

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority discussed the placement and design of city gateway signs, specifically focusing on Highway 96/Lexington Avenue and Lexington Avenue/County Road D. No formal decisions were made on sign locations or costs; the board agreed to await recommendations from the Community Development Director.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved October 25, 2021 meeting minutes (5-0)