07-19-21-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JULY 19, 2021 3 Mr. Morast reported the City could not set the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on MSA streets but could request a speed study from MNDOT. Mayor Grant explained the City has received complaints regarding over the years. He discussed how the City was turning over and believed it would benefit the City to lower the residential speed limit to 25 miles per hour. Councilmember Scott reported he supported the reduction to 25 miles per hour. Councilmember McClung indicated there were a lot of cars in his neighborhood going more than 35 miles per hour. He stated he supported a reduction citywide to 25 miles per hour. Councilmember Holden recommended the matter be reviewed by the Planning Commission and a public hearing be held. Councilmember Holmes suggested a public forum be held versus a public hearing at a Planning Commission meeting. She questioned how the city of St. Anthony addressed this topic. Mr. Morast explained St. Anthony held a public hearing at a City Council meeting and then took action on the matter. Councilmember Holmes recommended the City Council learn more about the cost of making this change prior to moving this matter forward. The Council supported holding a public hearing for the change in speed limit at the Planning Commission and City Council. The Council requested staff report back on pricing for the project via the Admin Update. C. CIP Budget Finance Director Bauman stated annually, the City prepares a five year Capital Improvement Plan for budgeting and forecasting. The focus of the CIP is on the maintenance and protection of the City's existing assets, redevelopment, and investment in new initiatives. The CIP is part of the budget process, but it is not a budget, it is a plan, and one that changes often. The CIP does not commit the council to the proposed projects, nor implement the assumptions made during the preparation; however, this is the basis for the 2022 Budget as we continue with its preparation. Finance Director Bauman reported the City has a finite number of resources, so prioritizing and then being able to finance projects is crucial for ensuring the city's long-term sustainability and being responsible stewards of the city's investments. Staff has been working on completing a comprehensive study of the City's current and future needs for infrastructure projects to better estimate project costs and ensure more accurate forecasting of available fund balances. Finance Director Bauman reported a preliminary plan has been prepared and includes a summary of projects, detailed project sheets, sources of funds, and estimated fund balances (since the operating budgets have not yet been completed, these fund balances are estimated operating costs). Information is included on street and park projects going out ten (10) years even though