CC 11-30-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 30 1998 18 , . Mayor Probst referred to Staff" s recommendation to reschedule the public hearing to January 4, 1999 and expressed his concern for the timeliness of this date. He noted this would be the first Monday after the New Year's holiday and asked if the date was critical or would the Council be allowed more time to pursue the options further. Mr. Fritsinger stated the date was not critical from a Staff point of view, the only issue was the timeliness of going out for bids. Councilmember Aplikowski suggested it may better to wait until the end of January for the public hearing. Councilmember Malone asked for the status of the intersection project. Mr. Brown stated Staff has advertised for bids and the bid opening was scheduled for December 17, 1998. Councilmember Malone suggested there may be an organization the City could turn to for help in designing a roadway which was aesthetically pleasing without the high cost. Mayor Probst indicated the City has Staff available who should be able to do this. Councilmember Larson stated he does not have a problem with delaying the project if there was some way to bring the costs down. He indicated he would not support the project with the current cost differentials. Mayor Probst stated, after the amount of money and time spent to get the project where it was . today, he would not want to lose the opportunity of gaining the type of development the City wants for the corner. He suggested it may be worth looking into the cost ditference to shorten the median. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed her belief that quality building can be obtained without the addition of a median in the roadway. She indicated she still opposes the median idea but will remain open minded for other suggestions. She noted the addition oflandscaping and lighting could provide the necessary visual enhancements. Mayor Probst indicated he would ask Staff to look into other design options which may be available to provide a quality appearance down the roadway. He asked if the volunteer trees currently in place would remain as the road was improved. Mr. Fritsinger stated that, as a part of the Welsh Development, it was requested that MNDOT remove these trees. CounciJmember Malone agreed that it may worth looking into other options and he expressed his belief that the assessments are optimistic. Mayor Probst asked, with action needing to be taken, should the Council defer or reschedule the public hearing. Mr. Fritsinger suggested the resolution could be deferred to allow time to review other options or the public hearing could be scheduled for the end of January. MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to . adopt Resolution #98-72 canceling the December 14, 1998 public hearing in the matter of the 1999 Street Improvement Proj ect, West Round Lake Road. The motion carried unanimously (4-0).