03-13-17-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – FEBRUARY 21, 2017 3 Metropolitan Council Senior Planner Wojchik discussed the comprehensive planning process and timeframes. There is a new handbook available to assist the cities. He said the ten year planning cycle for the comprehensive plan begins with the census and plans are due by December 31, 2018. Mayor Grant requested the formula for grant funding. Metropolitan Council Member McCarthy stated they will provide that information at a later date. She commented that the Metropolitan Council will continue to assist the City and Council with any questions they may have on grant funding or the comprehensive plan. B. 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Senior Planner Matthew Bachler noted that the City Council discussed their goals for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan at works sessions in May and July 2016. They will be treating the 2040 plan as an update to the 2030 plan. WSB submitted a proposal for the work on the plan. There is a required 6 month review process so the plan should be completed by end of May 2018. The WSB proposal would have the plan completed by March 2018. WSB’s total project budget is $131,050. The requested action is for the Council to review the WSB proposal and authorize staff to negotiate a contract with WSB to be brought to Council at the March 13, 2017 meeting and not issue an RFP. Costs for other cities were discussed. Councilmember McClung felt an RFP should be issued and see what other bids may come in. Mayor Grant agreed. He feels there is some value in keeping the plan with WSB being as we have a working relationship with them now. Interim City Planner Eric Zweber mentioned that there are some items in the WSB proposal that are not required by the Metropolitan Council. Economic Development and Redevelopment, Local Parks and Trails and the extra Land Use and Housing items in Section II are not required. Senior Planner Bachler stated that these were additional items that he chose to include as areas of potential concern that the City Council may wish to address, but the items could be removed to potentially reduce the cost of the proposal. Councilmember Holmes suggested we have WSB remove the items not required, and submit a new proposal instead of issuing an RFP. Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka noted that the surface water management plan is due to Rice Creek Watershed District by January 2018 and the DNR water supply plan is due in October, both of which are a part of the Comprehensive Plan. Interim City Planner Zweber said WSB can come back with a minimum dollar amount and an ala carte’ list and the council can choose those things they wish to do. Mayor Grant instructed staff to slim down the proposal to the required items, remove items that are being funded elsewhere, and have the new proposal available at the March 13 Council meeting. C. 2017 TRAIL PROJECTS – ENGINEERING SERVICES