Arden Hills council adopts Park System Plan, approves street assessment roll and 'Mow Less May' resolution

The Arden Hills City Council on April 13 adopted the Arden Hills Park System Plan and approved the special assessment roll for the 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement Project, while also adopting a resolution supporting the city'wide "Mow Less May" pollinator-protection effort.

Anna Springer of Bolton & Menk presented the Park System Plan as a 10-year guiding document informed by steering-committee meetings, an open house and an online survey. "The Plan is intended to guide decision-making, capital investment, and system priorities over the next ten years to ensure that the City's park system continues to meet the evolving needs of residents," Springer told the Council. Councilmembers praised the plan's community-informed approach and voted to adopt Resolution 2026-024 (motion carried, 5-0).

Council discussion on the plan focused on staffing and funding. Springer said the plan's staffing figure (6.3 full-time equivalent positions) includes seasonal employees; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen confirmed staff time assigned to parks is included in that count, while the Institution Community Work Crew (ICWC) is not. Finance Director Joua Yang said park projects are paid from the PIR (Park Improvement) Fund; several Councilmembers said the fund's limited balance will constrain near-term implementation.

At the same meeting the Council held the statutorily required assessment hearing for the 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement Project. Bolton & Menk's Brad Fisher outlined the assessment approach and staff's recommendation to use a approximately 27% overhead rate (down from the prior 37% used in calculations) when apportioning construction costs to benefitting properties. The Council adopted Resolution 2026-023, approving the assessment roll and setting the assessment interest rate at 5.70% (motion carried, 5-0). Finance Director Joua Yang explained the rate follows the City's assessment policy.

The Council also adopted Resolution 2026-016, Relating to Mow Less May for Arden Hills Residents and Businesses. Councilmember Brenda Holden emphasized the need to clarify enforcement timelines so residents know when mowing compliance actions would occur; staff told the Council residents would be asked to mow between June 1 and June 7, with inspection and follow-up letters issued afterward, meaning properties in some cases may not be cited until late June. Councilmember Kurt Weber read a statement on pollinator benefits and supported the program; the resolution passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2026-024, Adopting the Arden Hills Park System Plan: adopted (5-0). Presented by Anna Springer, Bolton & Menk. Key detail: plan based on committee meetings, community open house and online survey; staffing at 6.3 FTE (includes seasonal employees); PIR Fund will cover park improvements.

- Resolution 2026-023, Adopting Special Assessment Roll for 2026 PMP Street & Utility Improvement Project: adopted (5-0). Presented by Brad Fisher, Bolton & Menk. Key detail: assessment calculations use City policy; adopted interest rate 5.70%; staff recommended reducing overhead from ~37% to ~27% for assessments.

- Resolution 2026-022, Certifying Delinquent Utilities to Ramsey County: adopted (5-0). Presented by Finance Director Joua Yang.

- Resolution 2026-016, Relating to Mow Less May for Arden Hills Residents and Businesses: adopted (5-0). Council discussion clarified mowing/inspection timeline; enforcement letters will be issued in accordance with the City's process.

Also on the consent calendar the Council approved standard contracts, grants, and staff actions (motion to approve consent calendar carried 5-0), including the award of the 2026 PMP street contract (Resolution 2026-018 awarding contract to Bituminous Roadways, Inc.).

What's next: staff said it will post the adopted Park System Plan and a park-by-park map online, proceed with neighborhood outreach on the street project (open house expected in May), and follow up on questions raised at the meeting about PFAS reporting and water-use details for Micro Control.

(Reporting: meeting minutes and staff presentations are the source documents for this account.)