Council Expected to Discuss Argenta Hills Deal; School Board Considers Proposed Levy Referendum

The Inver Grove Heights City Council and the District 199 School Board are both holding public meetings on Monday night. Here's a preview of the agendas for the two groups:

Inver Grove Heights City Council

• Since 1985, the month of July has been the nation's official "Park and Recreation Month." The Inver Grove Heights City Council is expected to recognize a proclamation on Monday that will make July "Park and Recreation Month" within the city for the purpose of promoting outdoor recreation.

• The council may approve a transfer of $500,000 from the Host Community Fund and $256,000 from a closed bond fund as part of a plan to inject more cash into the city's park maintenance fund. Officials believe the city's park system will need as much as $504,000 to address maintenance needs, but the city has only been approving $83,000 annually for that purpose over the last several years.

• The Inver Grove Heights Hockey Association is asking the council to approve an agreement that would allow the association to sell dasher board and wall panel advertisements at the Veterans Memorial Community Center ice arena. Proceeds from the sales would help mitigate the cost of renting ice time for the organization, thereby reducing registration costs for the organization and encouraging more families to participate in youth hockey.

• The council is expected to hold a public hearing to consider the application of a liquor license by Alex Gomez, at 5689 Blaine Ave. as early as July 15.

• For more than a month, the council has been weighing a proposed, $1.25 million deal with MGT Development, the developer behind the Argenta Hills commercial and residential development near the intersection of South Robert Trail and Hwy. 55. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, MGT would construct roughly 150,000 square feet of commercial development and complete site improvements, including paving, landscaping and on-site lighting.  In return, the city would pay for roughly $1.25 million of the $2.2 million cost to install those site improvements.On Monday the council is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposed deal. Thanks to the expected absence of two councilors, Bill Klein and Chip Grannis, the council may not take action on the proposed deal until a later date.

• The council may vote to appoint Lt. Larry Stanger to interim police chief of the Inver Grove Heights Police Department. Current chief Chuck Kleckner is retiring effective June 30. The interim appointment would last for six months, during which the council and city staff would evaluate Stanger's performance. At the end of the period, Stanger may be appointed as the city's permanent police chief.

School District 199 School Board

• The school board is expected to discuss a proposed levy referendum at its work session on Monday night. The board will also discuss its elementary school action plans, and hear a presentation and recommendations on the 2010-2011 curriculum instruction review.