CITY HALL:
Offices are closed the following days:
Memorial Day, May 26
Summer Hours begin Memorial Day and run through Labor Day
Monday thru Thursday: 7AM - 4:30PM
Friday: 8AM - Noon
VILLAGE NEWS:
SOLAR POWER COMING TO CITY FACILITIES
The City of Saint Anthony Village is adding rooftop solar to help power two city buildings and benefit our community now and into the future. Our city is one of 18 local governments across the state to receive grants from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings Program. The solar installation is expected to be completed and delivering power to both buildings by the end of 2025, pending a roof replacement at Public Works, and the process to coordinate utility connection with Xcel Energy.
The Solar on Public Buildings grant was awarded for the Public Works Facility and Water Treatment Plant and covers 60% of costs for each project. 30% of costs will be covered by direct pay tax credits from the federal government and the remaining 10% will be covered by city capital funds.
Benefits of the Solar on Public Buildings Program include reduced energy costs, benefits to our local economy by expanding our energy infrastructure, reduced electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions and a "homegrown" renewable source of energy to our buildings and the state's electrical grid. (Minnesota currently imports 100% of its fossil fuels.)
Stay up-to-date on the City’s Solar on Public Buildings project: savmn.com/Solar-Public-Buildings
2025 STRATEGIC PLANNING & GOAL SETTING
On an annual basis, the City Council attends Strategic Goal Setting in January. During these meetings, Council members hear from department heads, consultant staff, City Commissioners, representatives from the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and Metro Cities, as well as guest administrators and managers from other cities. The Council brings forward concerns and ideas they have heard from residents and businesses over the past year, and the Council and staff work together to discuss priorities and develop the city’s pyramid of goals and Strategic Plan for the year. Prior to this year’s Goal Setting workshop, Council members spent time defining their understanding of the goals and then collaborated during the Goal Setting Workshop to develop definition statements for each goal. The new Pyramid and Strategic Plan reflects the City’s priorities and Action Steps for 2025.
View the 2025 Strategic Plan and Pyramid: savmn.com/strategicplan
ON THE RADAR FOR SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE | LOOKING FORWARD
From City Manager Charlie Yunker
As part of the City Council’s Annual Goal Setting, each department compiles the improvements and changes they see in their service area. Included with this are the trends and challenges ahead. In 2025 we anticipate increased staffing, improved technology and expanded facilities to take center stage.
- Website Improvements & ADA Compliance | Work is underway to enhance our residents’ online experience by simplifying navigation and consolidating content to make it easier to find information. This year, the website will undergo a refresh that will add new tools and create a more responsive website. The City is also tasked with achieving digital accessibility over the next two years in compliance with new Federal Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
- Climate Plan Implementation | The City is completing its Energy Action Plan in collaboration with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program. This plan will focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and outreach and education campaigns. Climate Plan Action Steps around Energy and Transportation will also be a focus for staff, Commissions and the City Council.
- Police & Fire Facility Exploration | The need for improving and expanding our public safety facilities to accommodate two growing departments will be a focus for 2025. Both departments need additional space for training, emergency operations, wellness and office areas, storage, and an expanded garage to house department fleets.
- Police Department | This year, the Police Department transitions to serving three communities with increased staff, training, equipment, and recruiting efforts. Additionally, the department continues to be mindful of officer wellness and has implemented
a Peer Support Team. - Fire Department | For 2025, the fire crew continues to expand its capability to provide medical care for patients requiring emergency treatment. The department will prioritize staff training, as well as implementing new tools for paramedics. In addition, an increase
in call volume makes expanding staff a high priority in the next
few years. - Long-Term Financial Planning | The Finance Department is working on updates to the City’s long-term infrastructure planning around streets, buildings and parks, and accommodation of regional partner projects in the coming years. In addition, the department is evaluating processes, staffing, and financial software to further increase efficiency.
- Liquor Operations & Cannabis Legalization| As the state solidifies regulations for the legal sale of cannabis, the City is considering a potential municipal cannabis dispensary and analyzing the impact this could have on liquor operations. Additionally, our Municipal Liquor stores are examining how THC products are influencing sales and customer demand for the future.
- Public Works Improvements | The Water Treatment Plant is a focus for Public Works as part of long-term capital planning on replacement of the water treatment equipment. This also presents the opportunity to be current with industry technology and expand plant automation capabilities.
City staff will continue to collaborate and prioritize the needs of our community as we pursue improvements and excellence through all departments.
ST. ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS
Understanding Minnesota Cannabis Laws & Regulations
Minnesota legalized the recreational use of cannabis in May 2023. Cannabis was legalized for medical use in 2014. Minnesota joins 24 States, three US territories, and the District of Columbia that have legalized the recreational use of cannabis. Seven States have decriminalized its use. Some historians believe that humans have used cannabis in some form for over 5,000 years.
Controlling the Sale
The City of Saint Anthony Village is now exploring opening a cannabis dispensary. We have done extensive work during our exploration process. Laws and regulations continue to evolve at the State level, and as they do, we have the ability to discontinue the process of our involvement at any time.
At this point, we believe that a cannabis dispensary fits our goal of controlling the sale of adult consumables while generating revenue for the betterment of our community, much like alcohol after the repeal of prohibition. Our municipal liquor operations have been in business since 1947. That is 77 years of controlling the sale and providing revenue!
It can be difficult to understand how legalizing cannabis and the potential of legally selling the product happened. I, too, was skeptical. Now that it is legal and we have the opportunity to control the sale and provide revenue, I have a better understanding of what our role would be. And we believe we are best Suited for it.
THC/CBD Sales Trends
The sale of low dose THC/CBD products has been phenomenal. The consumption of alcohol products is declining, especially with younger generations. There has been a massive shift from alcohol to low dose THC and CBD edibles and liquids. We are responding to the trend by exploring what we believe will be the next shift to cannabis products. The majority of our THC/CBD consumers use the products to combat pain and anxiety, and to sleep better instead of consuming alcohol. Much like any retail business, we look for trends that educate us to help provide the best customer experience and to remain relevant in the current retail environment.
CONTACT:
Liquor Store Operations Manager, Mike Larson
612-782-3455 | mike.larson@savmn.com
CITY PLANNING
HOUSING SUPPLY TRENDS
From City Planner Steve Grittman
Housing supply is in the news, as it has been for several years since the end of the housing “crisis” years of 2008 – 2018 (or so). Several factors led to that decade-long housing slump, and several other factors (Covid high among them) hampered the rebound. Housing prices have rebounded to reflect the general trend prior to the 2008 crash. While home construction has increased, numbers have stayed well below the 20 years prior to 2008.
Saint Anthony Village, as a fully developed city, sees almost all of its new housing development in multiple family projects. As such, retaining its traditional single-family neighborhoods has been a priority for the City Council, and the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
As prices rise, however, the companion goal of seeking opportunities for affordable housing becomes more challenging. Affordability is a difficult concept to quantify, but in its general usage, it refers to housing that is affordable to persons or families making 80% of the Area Median Income. More aggressive affordability goals target those at 60%, and as low as 50% on the median income scale. Median income is the number at which half of households make less, and half make more, and is modified by family size. For the Twin Cities, the current median income for a family of four is just over $124,000 as of last spring (2024).
The Village has affordable housing goals that are both locally adopted and guided by the Metropolitan Council. A new set of affordable housing goals will be developed for the next round of Comprehensive Plan updates due in 2028. Right now, the City is working on action steps to accomplish several housing objectives including preservation of single-family neighborhoods, affordability strategies, rental and ownership policies, and potentially how Saint Anthony Village might use city-owned property in these efforts. These are all part of the City’s “Thriving Village” Goal that arose out of the annual Goal-Setting activities held in January.
GARBAGE and RECYCLING
ASPEN WASTE SERVICE & PROGRAMS
Residential service levels are defined and trash service rates are determined by container size. Please note that additional charges may be assessed if cart lid is open more than 6.” Aspen drivers do not assess overflow bag charges readily, but will for situations where bags are stacked on top of the cart or when there are bags on the ground. If overflow bags are something you have often, please contact customer service (612-883-8008) to inquire about changing your service level to better accommodate your trash needs. State law prohibits mixing yard waste and trash. Aspen drivers will not empty a cart if yard waste material (i.e. grass clippings, brush, leaves or other plant material) is mixed in. If this happens, Aspen will not return to collect your trash until your next service day unless you request a special pick-up for an additional charge. Aspen offers on-call and scheduled yard waste collection April through November, weather permitting. Saint Anthony Village recycling collection takes place on the gray week on the calendar: savmn.com/recyclingcalendar
Contact: aspenwaste.com | 612-883-8008
| 2025 MONTHLY COLLECTION RATES (trash and recycling) |
|
|
|---|
| Container Size | Hennepin | Ramsey |
| Small (every other week) | $21.40 | $22.90 |
| Small Weekly | 23.85 | 25.60 |
| Medium Weekly | $27.33 | $29.42 |
| Large Weekly | $30.83 | $33.27 |
| YARD WASTE COLLECTION RATES (optional) |
|
|---|
| Service | Rate |
| Full Season | $110.98 |
| Per Bag (contact Aspen to set up on-demand yard waste) | $3.88 per bag |
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
April 8: City Council Meeting (with Work Session)
April 15: Planning Commission Meeting
April 22: City Council Meeting (with Work Session)
April 25: Earth Day Parks Clean-Up Day, 10AM - Noon
April 29: Joint Meeting with Council & School Board
May 3: Clean Up Day
May 13: City Council Meeting (with Work Session)
May 20: Planning Commission
May 26: Holiday - Memorial Day*
May 27: City Council Meeting (with Work Session)
STAY CONNECTED:
Facebook: @CityofSAV
Instagram: @stanthonyvillagemn
X: @CityofStAnthony
Online: savmn.com
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