Wednesday, January 2, 2013
By how much will your bill increase if the City adopts the fee structure?
Would you agree to pay a few dollars more on your CenterPoint Energy bill if you knew the money would help the City fund public improvement projects? Golden Valley City Councilmembers will look to residents for comments during a public hearing on the subject on Jan. 2. According to council documents, the franchise fee would mean a $2 monthly increase on all CenterPoint Energy bills. If the franchise fee is adopted, collection would begin in April. Director of Public Works Jeannine Clancy outlined the city projects that could use funding in a letter to councilmembers. The projects include the reconstruction of portions of Zane Avenue, Golden Hills Drive and Lindsay Street. Money would also go toward constructing new walk and trail …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The Golden Valley City Council also adopted a resolution to create a Tax Increment Finance district that would provide funds for public infrastructure around the new apartment space.
Changes are coming to the northeast quadrant of Highways 169 and 55. In a Dec. 18 City Council meeting, councilmembers agreed that the construction of the Tiburon Apartments, a 142 unit luxury apartment building, will benefit Golden Valley and unanimously approved final design plans. “I think this is going to be a great addition to our city,” Councilmember Joanie Clausen said. “I’m excited about it. It offers another avenue for young people to come in.” Along with approving design plans, councilmembers also adopted a resolution to create a redevelopment area and a Tax Increment Financing Renewal and Renovation District, known as a TIF district. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Assistant Director Jeanne Andre told councilmembers that …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The term for the new councilmember will be effective from Jan 2. to Nov. 6, 2013.
After interviewing five candidates running for Mike Freiberg’s open seat, the Golden Valley City Council agreed that Steve Schmidgall would be the best fit. Schmidgall currently serves on the city’s Planning Commission. Mayor Shep Harris announced the appointment of Schmidgall this week, but noted that his term won’t begin until he’s sworn in on Jan. 2. Twenty people applied to fill the vacant Golden Valley City Council seat left by current councilmember Mike Freiberg, who was elected to serve as State Representative for District 45B. Larry Fonnest, Planning Commissioner John Kluchka, Brad Kadue and Rich Baker were also interviewed.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Do you want to see an apartment and senior living facility come to the northwest corner of Highway 100 and Interstate 394?
If developers from Global One Golden Valley, LLC have their way, a 308 unit apartment building and a 118 unit senior living facility will be constructed near the Circle Down neighborhood this spring--something that neighbors aren’t happy about. At a City Council meeting on Dec. 18, councilmembers will review preliminary design plans for the two structures and open the floor to residents during a public hearing. Council documents show that the developers have been working with the City of Golden Valley on this project for about five years. According to the project description, the apartment and senior living facility would “serve as a buffer” between the interstate and residential areas. On Nov. 5, the Golden Valley Planning Commission …
Monday, December 17, 2012
Get to know the five candidates running for one Golden Valley City Council seat at a public meeting tonight.
Twenty people applied to fill the vacant Golden Valley City Council seat left by current councilmember Mike Freiberg, who was elected to serve as State Representative for District 45B. Of the 20 applicants, over the last few weeks, the Golden Valley City Council narrowed the pool down to five people: On Monday night, starting at 5:30, the councilmembers will interview each candidate in a meeting that's open to the public. Each interview will be 30 minutes long. In addition to sending a resume, applicants were asked to fill out a City Council Appointment Interest form. In the form, councilmembers were looking for current or previous involvement in city government commissions or committees, along with any community involvement. John Klucha …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Why is Golden Valley City Councilmember Joanie Clausen inclined to vote 'yes' when it comes to conducting studies on the Bottineau Transitway and the locally preferred alternative?
Golden Valley City Councilmember Joanie Clausen has a lot to think about. In one week, councilmembers will vote on a resolution of support for the Bottineau Transitway locally preferred alternative (LPA). With two councilmembers opposed to the transitway, and with two for it, Clausen said that she feels like the decision is in her hands. “It’s a lot of pressure,” Clausen told Patch. “But I’m doing my homework.” On Dec. 13, Clausen, Councilmember DeDe Scanlon and other city staff toured existing light rail lines with Hennepin County officials. The tour was designed to give councilmembers and staff a clear picture of what light rail really is. “I want to look at the whole picture and make an informed decision,” Clausen said. “As an elected …
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
The Golden Valley City Council will review the City's capital improvement program and 2013 legislative policies, which include positions on Highway 169 construction, the sale of passports and funding for Douglas Drive reconstruction.
Capital improvement program details, legislative positions and resident recognitions, among other things, will keep Golden Valley City Councilmembers busy during their Dec. 4 meeting. According to council documents, City Finance Director Sue Vernig will ask councilmembers to adopt Golden Valley's capital improvement program. The five year financial planning instrument is used to identify needed capital improvements which usually exceed $10,000 in cost. The Golden Valley Planning Commission recommended approval to the program during their Oct. 22 meeting. According to the 2013-2017 capital improvement program, the reconstruction of Douglas Drive will be addressed over the course of five years, in addition to other various projects. In total…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Before the City Council approves a resolution allowing more studies to be conducted regarding the Bottineau Transitway and the D-1 alignment, councilmembers want to hear from the public.
Do you want a light-rail stop to come to Golden Valley? Would you rather keep the community the way it is, without modern transit? Either way, the Golden Valley City Council wants to hear your opinion at a special public forum tonight, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. On Nov. 13, during a council/manager meeting, councilmembers got questions answered about the the D1 Alignment, which is the Locally Preferred Alternative that would bring the train through Golden Valley. Representatives from Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Council and Golden Valley's Human Rights Commission Task Force attended the meeting to work with councilmembers. When the City Council voted down the transitway plans last June, their concerns included the impact to the environment, …
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The gas station overhaul and construction of a new convenience store on Boone Avenue will become reality if City Council approves final plans on Tuesday, Nov 20.
In September, members of the Golden Valley City Council unanimously approved plans for a new retail site and gas station upgrade that would come to the intersection of Boone Avenue North and Highway 55. In addition to the gas station upgrade and convenience store expansion, Linn Investment Properties will build a 4,900 square foot retail center on the property near Basset Creek. On Nov. 20, councilmembers will open the plans up to the public during a public hearing. During a Planning Commission public hearing last month, no residents were present. The Planning Commission is recommending approval of final plans. Related Articles: Council Approves Plans for New Boone Avenue Retail Center Plans for Boone Avenue Gas Station, Retail Store Move …
Friday, November 16, 2012
When Mike Freiberg was elected to serve as State Representative after the general election, the City Council had some thinking to do. At a meeting this week, the group agreed to appoint a new member. They are seeking applicants.
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Friday, November 16, 2012
Information provided by the City of Golden Valley. A vacant seat on the Golden Valley City Council left by Councilmember Mike Freiberg’s election as State Representative for District 45B will be filled by an appointment made by the four remaining council members. Freiberg will continue to serve on the Golden Valley City Council until he takes the oath of office for his new position on the first day of the House session on Jan. 8. Although Freiberg’s term ends Dec. 31, 2015, the newly appointed council member will only serve until December 31, 2013. According to Minn. Stat. 412.02, while the City Council must appoint a replacement until an election is held, a special election must be held to replace or affirm the appointed person if more …
Karen Lehman
12:26 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
I am skeptical of the study process, particularly when what this really sounds like is permission to start the engineering work, meaning making investments in building the line. This has not been clear, what initiating engineering work really means. Could we get more information on that in the Patch? An environmental impact study is one thing, and engineering is another. Much harder to pull back … more ›