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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-30-12-R lt -ARENHILLS Approved: February 27, 2012 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JANAURY 30,2012 7:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the City Council Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes,Nick Tamble and Ed Werner. Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Meagan Beekman; and Deputy Cleric Rebecca Brazys 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Counilmember Holden moved and Councimmember Tamble seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented The motion carried unanimously_ f 5±h ^ 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES / INFORMATIONAL Gregg Larson, 3377 N. Snelling Av., questioned the process by which the Council contracted with a lobbyist. He also spoke in opposition to the Council's decision to invest taxpayer dollars in a lobbyist to work with legislators on the stadium proposal. He stated that he is opposed to the stadium proposal and to the tax increase being considered by Ramsey County to fund the stadium. He stated that there is a petition drive in process to oppose the tax increase and a website has been established for residents who are opposed. Ryan Wolf, 4425 Arden View Court, stated that the media is reporting that the City is talking with NASCAR about developing the TCAAP property if the stadium does not go through. - Mayor Grant responded that is not true;the City Council has had no discussions regarding a race track. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 2 A. Employee of the Year and Service Awards Mayor Grant announced that the Employee Recognition Committee has selected two City staff members as Employees of the Year. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson announced that Accounting Clerk Pang Silseth has been named as one of the Employees of the Year in part for her dedicated work to improve the utility billing process which resulted in savings through reduced envelope and mailing costs as well as staff time. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that City Planner, Meagan Beekman, has also been named Employee of the Year for her excellent work with several developers in the City, her work on the right-of-way ordinance amendments, and her invaluable assistance to the Planning Commission. She also explained that having Meagan to rely on for professional Planning work has freed up her time to focus on Community and Economic Development. In addition, Meagan recently earned her American Institute of Certified Planners designation. Mayor Grant announced that Public Works Superintendent Joe Mooney is being recognized for twenty-five years of service to the City. 3. STAFF COMMENTS i A. TCAAP/ Stadium Proposal Update Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that since the Council's January 9t' meeting, three stadium proposals were submitted; Arden Hills, Minneapolis, and Shakopee. She explained that last week Governor Dayton announced that the only site that remained feasible for a stadium deal this legislative session is the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Some legislators support and some legislators dispute that conclusion. On January 29, seven of the thirteen Minneapolis Councilmembers expressed opposition to Mayor Rybak's funding plan for a new stadium. Councilmembers explained that they cannot support a plan to contribute more than $300 million to a stadium in Minneapolis without a referendum. Rybak's current proposal would need a legislative override of a city charter amendment passed in 1997 that requires a citywide vote to approve any expenditure of city resources over $10 million for a professional sports facility. This week the news has been quiet. The County is considering a third financing plan but no details have been announced. Councilmember Holden asked staff to comment on the actions of the lobbyist on behalf of Arden Hills. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated the lobbyist has enabled staff to schedule individual meetings with legislators. In those meetings staff focused on the needs of the TCAAP site including redevelopment and the transportation needs of this area. Whether or not the stadium goes forward, staff wants to focus on the needs of the TCAAP property because the City's end goal is to have this site redeveloped and returned to the tax rolls. Staff is trying to educate legislators about what the TCAAP site needs to move forward. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 3 Mayor Grant commented that the lobbyist's efforts are to protect the City's interests as well as to get an audience with various legislators to educate them on the City's needs. Councilmember Holmes pointed out that the Governor recently made a statement that he would like to see some bonding money, possibly $30 million, to go to TCAAP in order to clean it up. She stated staff s efforts with the legislators have brought a lot more visibility to Arden Hills. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 19, 2011, Special Council Meeting B. January 9, 2012, Regular Council Meeting MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously (5- 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. Claims and Payroll B. Adopt Resolution 2012-005 — Accepting Work Completed and Authorizing Final Payment of$71,970.22 for the 2011 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project C. Adopt Resolution 2012-004 — Awarding Contract for Lift Station #13 to Minger Construction in the Amount of$194,250 D. Approve a Payment in the Amount of$13,165.00 to the Lake Johanna Fire Department which is the City's share of the Capital Reimbursement to the City of Shoreview from the 2012 Budget. E. Authorize the Purchase of a 2012 F350 4x4 Super Cab pickup with a plow, Tommy Lift, and Appropriate Safety Lighting for a Cost Not to Exceed$37,553.62. F. Approve the Development Agreement Between the City and NLD Arden Hills, LLC, as Presented in the January 30, 2012, Report to the City Council MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS None 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Lift Station Updates—Modifications ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 4 Public Works Director Maurer explained that the lack of any standardization makes the operation and maintenance of the City's 14 lift stations much more difficult than it should be. Specifically, some of the issues that need to be addressed include: • At least four or five different pump manufacturers are used in the 14 lift stations. • One of the prominent pumps present in our lift stations, Pump X, ceased manufacturing in 2005 and discontinued the manufacture of spare parts in 2010. • The operating system used in our most recently reconstructed lift stations, Sycom, is proprietary software and the one vendor that services it has become very unreliable. • Electro Watchman, who we use for monitoring alarms at our lift stations, is not able to provide basic information about alarms. For instance, when Lift Station #8 was overwhelmed by rain water in July 2011, Electro Watchman sent many messages to our Public Works crew about alarms. However, when we were working with the LMC insurance adjuster, we discovered that Electro Watchman could not tell us if Lift Station #8 ever lost power. They could only tell us that there were alarms at specific times, not what the alarm was indicating. Public Works Director Maurer explained that because of the issue of non-standardization, Seth Peterson of Bolton and Menk worked with the Public Works crew to come up with a standard design, pump manufacturer, and standard control system for all the lift stations that would then become the model for the design of the reconstruction of Lift Station #13. This process took several months and included site visits by some of the Public Works crew to two service departments of pump manufacturers to review their pumps and see their service departments. After this process, Flygt pumps were established as the standard for all the City's lift stations. Public Works Director Maurer stated that there currently are four lift stations in need of some upgrading. (The detail of each lift station upgrade is included in the agenda memo.) He reviewed the following list in order of priority: 1. Lift Station#8 located at 1335 Ingerson Road. 2. Lift Station#5 located at 3495 Lake Johanna Boulevard. 3. Lift Station#7 which is located at 3220 Lake Johanna Boulevard (Presbyterian Homes). 4. Lift Station#2 located at 1850 County Road E2 (along the trail behind Perry Park). Public Works Director Maurer stated that as part of the standardization of our lift stations, an OmniSite unit will be installed in each upgraded control cabinet. The OmniSite is a monitoring system that will replace the need for Electro Watchman at these upgraded control panels. It will also eliminate the need for a SCADA system that is in the CIP in 2014. OmniSite uses cellular technology to provide a cell call, text message, and/or e-mail in the case of an alarm at the lift station. Unlike our current monitoring system, it will identify the exact cause of the alarm so the responding Public Works employee knows what to expect before getting there. It will also create a record for future reference. Similar to a SCADA system, any lift station with an OmniSite controller can have its operation monitored from any computer., The only difference between OmniSite and SCADA is you cannot make adjustments to the lift station operation remotely. The cost of installing an OmniSite at a lift station control panel is about $2,00043,000 as compared to a SCADA system that is closer to $12,000415,000 based on our 14 lift stations. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 5 Public Works Director Maurer further explained that the upgrade of these four lift stations was included as add alternates in the bidding process for Lift Station #13 reconstruction. However, after evaluating the bid results, staff determined that the costs were too high and there was a more cost-effective way to accomplish the upgrades. Staff then contacted Electric Pump Company, the local supplier of Flygt pumps and OmniSite, and asked them to review each of the lift stations and provide the City a quote to accomplish the upgrades. The cost for each lift station is as follows: 1'. Lift Station#8 Upgrades $ 93,200 2. Lift Station#5 Upgrades $ 63,400 3. Lift Station#7 Upgrades $ 31,400 4. Lift Station#2 Upgrades $ 55,500 Total Cost of Upgrades $243,500 Public Works Director Maurer explained that these proposed upgrades at the four lift stations are not programmed in the current CIP. Lift Station #7 needs to be repaired due to a lightning strike. The other three lift station upgrades could be financed using Sanitary Sewer Utility Funds not needed for other projects. First, there is $162,650 remaining from the proposed monies to reconstruct lift station#I I in 2011 that will not be needed for a few years. Second, there is a CIP item in 2012 for $150,000 for access work at Lift Station #7 that is no longer needed as all of these improvements are part of the Presbyterian Homes project. Finally, there is a CIP item in 2014 to install a SCADA system in the amount of $200,000. With the use of the OmniSite controller at the upgraded lift stations,there is no longer a need for the SCADA system. Mayor Grant commented that the City's lift stations are critical and that he is glad to see this project moving forward. He then asked when the work will be done if this is approved. Public Works Director Maurer stated he believes they will begin manufacturing the pumps in their factory and then work on the lift stations when warmer weather makes it safe to shut down the lift station during the repair. Councilmember Holden asked if Lift Station#11 is the only remaining lift station in the City that is 40 years old. Public Works Director Maurer stated that it is not; Lift Stations #1 and #12 are in the CIP for replacement in 2013. Councilmember Holden commented that since the bid was significantly cheaper than anticipated, and because it seems to be a very good bidding environment right now, she would like to see Lift Stations #1 and #12 also completed this year. She asked if the City will be getting any money from insurance (for the lift station damaged by lightening.) Public Works Director Maurer stated the City has an open claim with the insurance company. Councilmember Holden stated that she thinks the proposed improvements are a great idea. She asked if these improvements will result in more coverage for sewage back-ups. She also asked if the cost figures provided represent the entire cost. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 6 Public Works Director Maurer responded that these improvements will result in much better controls on our system. In response to the question regarding cost, he explained there will be an additional expense for a master electrician to actually make the connection of the new pumps to the system. That expense will be rather modest and can come out of the Public Works sewer operating budget. Councilmember Holmes asked if the City has any assurance that Flygt Pump won't go out of business like the company whose pumps are currently in use. She agreed that standardizing the pumps for all the lift stations is a good idea. Public Works Director Maurer stated there are no assurances, however, Flygt Pump has been in business about 40 years. He added that Public Works staff visited the Flygt Pump facility and reviewed their maintenance program and feel very comfortable recommending them. Councilmember Holden questioned how many lift stations will have the OmniSite feature if this proposal is approved this evening and when it will be installed on the other lift stations. Public Works Director Maurer responded that five lift stations will have the OmniSite feature; #2, #5, #7, #8, and #13. It will be installed on the rest of the lift stations by working through the CIP process. Councilmember Holden asked if the intent is to reuse the Pump X's being removed. Public Works Director Maurer responded that the Pump X's they will be removing will just have scrap value so they'll strip off any parts they may be able to use at other Pump X's still in use. Councilmember Holmes stated there does not appear to be a problem with Lift Station#2 at the moment. ` Public Works Director Maurer explained that there isn't currently a problem with #2 but it is one of the larger lift stations. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded that the Citv move forward with the upgrade of Lift Stations #2, 5, 7, and 8 with the cost not to exceed $243,500. Motion carried unanimously(5-0). MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded that the Public Works Director move forward with obtaining bids for the upgrade of Lift Stations #1 and 12. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Approve Resolution 2012-006 Supporting the Efforts of the City of Arden Hills l Becoming a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Community ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 7 City Administrator Klaers explained that at the January 9, 2012, Council meeting, discussion took place regarding the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization. At that time, the Council indicated that it wanted to consider a Resolution of Support and appoint a City representative to attend the monthly Steering Committee meetings. At their Work Session earlier this evening, the Council decided to advertise for a community volunteer to serve on the Steering Committee. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to Approve Resolution 2012-0006, a Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the City of Arden Hills Becoming a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Community. Motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Holden explained what the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization is about and the services they provide to military families. B. Approve Resolution 2012-001 Relating to the Organization of the City of Arden Hills City Administrator Klaers stated this is a continuation of action taken by the Council on January 9th. The liaison positions and Mayor Pro-Tem were not included in the original presentation. Councilmember Holmes volunteered to take the appointment to Northwest Youth and Family Services until a community volunteer is named. Councilmember Holden questioned if a different Councilmember would be able to attend and vote if Councilmember Werner is unable to attend a Ramsey County League of Local Government meeting. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson explained that the City Administrator is the alternate or the Council could appoint an alternate Council Liaison if they choose. Mayor Grant announced the following appointments: Mayor Pro-Tem. Nick Tamble Liaisons Planning Commission Fran Holmes Parks, Trails &Recreation Committee Brenda Holden Communications Committee Nick Tamble Financial Planning and Analysis Committee: David Grant Lake Johanna Fire Department Board of Directors Brenda Holden Economic Development Commission Ed Werner Ramsey County League of Local Governments Ed Werner Personnel Committee David Grant, Brenda Holden Karth Lake Improvement District David Grant Northwest Youth&Family Services Fran Holmes (Interim) Cable Commission Craig Wilson ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—JANUARY 30, 2012 8 MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion to approve Resolution 2012-001, a Resolution Relating to the Organization of the City of Arden Hills. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS & STAFF UPDATES Councilmember Werner stated that he recently attended the Mounds View Diamond Benefit dinner which raises funds for Mounds View High School sports. Councilmember Tamble reported that the website redesign committee has met four times since his last report to the Council. They have reviewed websites of several other municipalities and they are currently in the process of deciding on a vendor to oversee this project. Two finalists, Civic Plus and Vision Internet, have been interviewed and they hope to make a recommendation to the Council in February. Councilmember Holden asked staff to look into the signs posted at Carroll's Furniture which is now out of business. Councilmember Holden stated she attended the Aerotek ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Aerotek is located off Northwoods Road at Lexington but she noticed a vacant lot in the area with noxious weeds. She stated she would like to see better weed control in the City, particularly in visible locations such as southwest corner of Highway 96 and Lexington. Councilmember Holden asked if the City Administrator had an update on the Emergency Preparedness classes previously discussed. City Administrator Klaers responded that he has not yet received a response from the City's emergency coordinator. Mayor Grant stated he did receive a utility billing which is a partial billing due to the new billing cycle for utilities. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Tamble seconded a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:14 p.m. Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor