Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JANUARY 21, 2020 4 <br /> <br /> <br />G. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Discussion <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked to clarify the wording that density may be increased by 100%. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said the maximum density would be <br />24 units per acre. The wording meets the Met Council standards. <br /> <br />Council agreed the wording was acceptable. <br /> <br />H. Ramsey County Cooperative Agreement and Right-of-Way Agreement <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom noted there are two agreements to consider. <br />The first is for Lexington Avenue right of way acquisition associated with the Lexington Avenue <br />improvement project. There are an estimated 30,284 square feet of temporary and permanent <br />easements. The agreement applies Ramsey County’s cost sharing policy of 50% city funding. <br />The County previously estimated the City’s right of way cost at $66,000. The proposed <br />agreement shows the City’s right of way cost share would be $228,000. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated that in 2018 the City and County <br />entered into a cooperative agreement to conduct an intersection control evaluation for County <br />Road E and Snelling Avenue North. The intersection does not meet traffic signal warrants, the <br />report recommended a single lane roundabout. The cooperative agreement would be for design <br />costs only, not for construction. The current cost estimate is $1.8 million which includes the <br />roadway improvements, water and sanitary sewer replacements, with approximately $1.2 million <br />being County costs. There would time for more public engagement during the design process. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if the traffic study was good. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said he thought it was good, well prepared <br />and thorough. <br /> <br />After further discussion, it was decided to move forward with the Lexington Avenue right of way <br />acquisition agreement, but have more discussion in the future regarding County Road E and <br />Snelling Avenue North. <br /> <br />I. Senior Engineering Technician Position Discussion <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault reported that the Personnel Committee was recommending the <br />Council consider upgrading the Senior Engineer Technician position to Assistant City Engineer. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant indicated that the step to start the position at should be discussed. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault clarified that Senior Engineer Technician Swearingen is currently <br />an hourly employee and had approximately 145 hours of overtime which equated to an additional <br />$9000 in pay. The current job description required a PE, that could be removed or left as a future <br />requirement. Mr. Swearingen is testing for the PE in the fall, so step increases could be tied to <br />him passing the test.