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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-12-R EN HILLS Approved: March 26, 2012 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 13,2012 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 regular City Council meeting at 7:05 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Council Members 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 Clerk Becky Brazys. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL A. Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS) Presentation Jerry Hromatka, President and CEO, provided the annual update for the Council regarding the services provided by NYFS to Arden Hills residents. The City, along with eight other neighboring cities, annually partners with and contributes to this organization. He indicated there were great benefits to reaching children which greatly assisted with providing for a successful future. He noted 1,800 households were served in 2011 by NYFS throughout the eight contracted cities with 44 families in Arden Hills being directly served. Councilmember Holden questioned if NYFS was involved in the manufactured home park areas. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL®FEBRUARY 13, 2012 2 Mr. Hromatka indicated NYFS was not involved in Arden Manor but would like to expand to serve this community if additional funds were available. Mr. Hromatka stated services were available to all residents in Arden Hills, regardless of the expense. The benefits included educational attainment, along with success in learning. He indicated his organization was teaching long-term thinking and career planning. Further discussion ensued regarding the NYFS challenges with future budget and contracts. He explained there was a new normal for non-profits and NYFS was working to expand revenue streams to remain balanced while meeting the needs of the youth and family in the area. He thanked the City of Arden Hills for partnering with NYFS. Mayor Grant requested further information on the activity center and the Peter J. King Family Foundation. Mr. Hromatka indicated the activity center broke ground in November of 2008. The expense of the center was $2.5 million and to date $450,000 has been raised. The King Family Foundation has pledged$800,000-900,000. A construction loan allowed NYFS to break ground and complete the structure. The facility was reaching the needs of those in the day treatment program through new science and technology programs. He added the activity center was also meeting many needs of the community through senior citizen and fitness programs. Councilmember Holden requested further information on the senior chore program. Mr. Hromatka stated the funding for the senior chore program comes from the Metropolitan Area Aging Program from the State. He explained that senior citizens are asked to pay for a portion of the chore, if able, and if not, the remainder is funded by NYFS. The goal of the program is to match up youth with senior citizens. He discussed services covered under the program such as seasonal yard maintenance, cleaning, shoveling, and simple home repairs. Councilmember Holmes asked for additional information on the depth of programs being provided at the activity center. Mr. Hromatka indicated the information provided in the presentation pertained strictly to the City of Arden Hills recipients. However, additional programs do take place at the activity center, but were not detailed. Further discussion ensued regarding these programs. Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Hromatka for his presentation this evening. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. TCAAP/Stadium Update Community Development Director Hutmacher explained the stadium issue has been in the media a great deal over the last few weeks. She stated the City of Minneapolis was proposing a fourth site for the stadium near the Metrodome. An analysis of the Minneapolis financing plan has revealed that plan to have a gap of$55 million. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 3 Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a $20.66 million contract with Carl Bolander and Sons for the remediation of the TCAAP site. The contract is contingent on the County receiving state funding for a new stadium or another use. The Public Works Director participated in the evaluation and selection of the remediation contractor. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated on February l0a', Ramsey County released a third stadium financing proposal. The most recent proposal uses no countywide taxes. Instead, Ramsey County is proposing that the local share be financed through a combination of stadium parking revenues, parking lot naming rights, admission surcharge, sales tax growth at the new stadium, stadium property fees and State property taxes on stadium-related businesses at the site. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained the Vikings have some concerns with components of the plan; mainly the admission surcharge and the naming rights for the parking. Mayor Grant questioned if the vote by Ramsey County was to accept the proposal for remediation or to award the proposal. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated Ramsey County has accepted a contract that is contingent upon State funding if the stadium were to locate on the TCAAP site. B. Round Lake Update Community Development Director Hutmacher commented that at the May 16, 2011, work session, the Council spoke with representatives of the U.S. Army and the MPCA regarding the next draft of a feasibility study for Round Lake. Staff contacted Mike Fix with the U.S. Army for an update on that process. Mr. Fix explained that more than 130 samples were collected in January and February of 2011, which provided much more data than was previously available. The samples confirm contamination in the lake and appear to indicate that background or naturally occurring levels of metals in the lake sediment are higher than previously thought. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated because the remediation goal was previously set at a level that is below what now appears to be natural background conditions, the appropriate agencies will need to consider these higher background levels of metals when proposing a new preliminary remediation goal. These decisions must be made prior to any redrafting of the feasibility study. Mayor Grant questioned if the agencies were proposing to remediate Round Lake. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated that any remediation plans would be determined by a feasibility study and the study was not yet complete. Councilmember Werner inquired about naturally occurring metals in lakes. He understood that the contamination of Round Lake was caused by the TCAAP property. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 4 Community Development Director Hutmacher explained metals occur naturally in soils at varying levels. Metals in the mineral components of Minnesota soil are often higher than in other areas of the country. She stated a preliminary remediation goal was set and could not be met given the results of recent testing. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 12, 2011 Regular Council Meeting B. December 19, 2011 Work Session Councilmember Holden stated that she gave the recording secretary a few minor wording changes to the December 19a'minutes. MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Tamble seconded a motion to approve the December 12, 2011 Regular Council Meeting and December 19, 2011 Work Session Meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously(5-0). 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll B. Planning Case 12-003—City Code Amendment—Parking Regulations MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a 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. Planning Case 12-001 — Zoning Code Amendment— Expansion of Single and Two-Family Nonconforming Dwellings City Planner Beekman stated at the February 22, 2011,joint work session the City Council and the Planning Commission discussed several possible zoning code amendments. One discussion item was the allowance of certain types of expansions of nonconforming structures. At present, the City Code allows for the repair, replacement, improvement and maintenance, but not the expansion of nonconforming uses and structures. Staff was directed to proceed with revisions to ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 5 the Zoning Code, similar to the Front Porch Ordinance, which would create circumstances where certain types of development could occur without the need for a variance. City Planner Beekman indicated Staff drafted language which was presented to the Planning Commission at their November 9, 2011, work session. The Planning Commission suggested a few modifications at that meeting. Staff presented a revised draft to the City Council at their November 28, 2011, work session. At that time, the City Council directed Staff to move forward with formally presenting the revisions to the Planning Commission and holding a public hearing. City Planner Beekman stated one of the most common issues that arise when residents call to inquire about home improvements is that their houses are already considered legally nonconforming. These homes were constructed during a time when setbacks were not as great as they are now, and any expansion of the house is not allowed without a variance. She reviewed a potential variance request stating the new provisions would assist with home improvements for nonconforming homes. City Planner Beekman explained the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed language change at their February 8, 2012, regular meeting and held a public hearing. At that meeting, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning code amendment. Mayor Grant asked for the vote from the Planning Commission on this issue. City Planner Beekman stated the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the zoning code amendment. Councilmember Holmes questioned if there were any rear yard setback requirements within the zoning code amendment. City Planner Beekman indicated this was not written into the language change. She indicated a provision could be added to require a 30-foot rear yard setback. She explained the rear yard setback was rarely an issue for homes in Arden Hills. Mayor Grant stated several areas of the City were developed PUD and had a 30-foot.front yard setback. He questioned if a garage in an L-shaped rambler could be brought up to match the front of the home. City Planner Beekman stated this would be allowed, that a garage could be added to the front of the home so long as it does not impede on the 30-foot front yard setback. Councilmember Holden questioned if this type of expansion would create front yard line of site issues for neighboring properties. City Planner Beekman indicated this was a hypothetical situation and each property would be reviewed by Staff before receiving approval for any expansion. Councilmember Tamble questioned if the zoning code amendment addressed line of site concerns. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 6 City Planner Beekman stated the size of a structure and its location on the property are addressed in the zoning code amendment. In addition, lot coverage requirements and floor area ratio are discussed, along with minimum setbacks. Councilmember Holmes commented site line concerns were discussed by the Planning Commission. She noted that neighbors' opinions are irrelevant on variance criteria. City Planner Beekman indicated this was correct, while neighbor comments were taken into consideration,the variance criteria does not hinge on approval by the neighbors of the request. MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve Ordinance 2012-001 in Planning Case 12-001 to amend Section 1325.03 Subd 2.1) of the Zoning Code and approve publishing a summary of Ordinance 2012-001 The motion carried 4-1 (Holden opposed). 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Update on Roseville Joint Powers Agreement for Engineering Services Public Works Director Maurer stated he and the City Administrator have been discussing with the City of Roseville changes to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for engineering services. Both parties were open to making changes which would remove the minimum number of hours to be used by Arden Hills and would also eliminate a Roseville staff member having office hours in Arden Hills City Hall. Public Works Director Maurer indicated on January 23, 2012, the Roseville City Council authorized the funding of a staff engineer position from the Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Funds effective July 1, 2012. Kris Giga is slated to fill this position. On January 30, 2012, he and the City Administrator had a follow-up meeting with Roseville and were told that the _ proposed changes to the JPA were acceptable to staff. A formal letter has been drafted requesting that the JPA be modified to have no minimum number of annual hours or a Roseville staff member with office hours at Arden Hills City Hall. Staff feels it will be advantageous to still have a JPA with Roseville to allow for the sharing of engineering staff if the opportunity arises. The modified JPA would come before the Council as a future agenda item. Councilmember Holmes expressed concern with the hiring of a new Assistant City Engineer when the JPA was not finalized. Public Works Director Maurer was not concerned as Roseville is willing to take Kris Giga back into Roseville fully funding her position. City Administrator Klaers stated the revised JPA should be before the Council February 27, 2012, or March 12, 2012. He indicated the revised agreement is modeled after the Roseville and Maplewood JPA and allowed for the use of Roseville employees when needed without an hourly or dollar commitment. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7 Public Works Director Maurer explained that Roseville was committed to completing projects for Arden Hills through July of 2012. After that time, services are planned to be used on an as- needed basis. He stated it was a win-win situation for both parties. B. Assistant City Engineer Appointment Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated that staff interviewed five finalists for the position on January 31, 2012. Second interviews were conducted on February 6tn As a result of these interviews, Staff is recommending that the City Council appoint John Anderson as the Arden Hills Assistant City Engineer. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson explained that John Anderson was a registered engineer and has extensive civil engineering and municipal public works experience. Staff recommended the Council place Mr. Anderson at Step 2 in Pay Grade 10. Mr. Anderson will be available to begin work for the City of Arden Hills on March 1 P. Councilmember Tamble was in favor of having the position in house. Councilmember Holden asked if the new hire would assist the City in updates while creating information electronically. Public Works Director Maurer stated Mr. Anderson was qualified to assist the City with this issue, along with GIS, as these were goals for the Public Works Department. MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to approve the hiring of John Anderson as the Arden Hills Assistant City Engineer at Grade 10, Step 2 of the City Compensation Program. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Councilmember Holmes commented three recent events in the City had Arden Hills in the news. She indicated the medallion was found in Tony Schmidt Park for the Winter Carnival. Secondly, Ron Paul came to speak at Bethel University. Lastly, Dudley Riggs new workshop was called Occupy Arden Hills or Brother Can You Spare Me a Dome. Councilmember Werner stated the Economic Development Commission had several openings and anyone interested could contact City Hall for further information. Councilmember Tamble indicated the Communications Committee meets on Wednesday to discuss the March newsletter. In addition, the website redesign committee has come to a conclusion on a vendor and would have further information for the Council at the February 27tn meeting. Mayor Grant requested Staff provide Council with information on grant opportunities. He felt this information would be beneficial to the Council. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 8 Mayor Grant indicated that he had received questions regarding the removal of the buildings along County Road E and Lexington Avenue. He commented the site was being developed for a Walgreens. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported Presbyterian Homes has taken advantage of the mild winter and is ahead of their construction timeline at this point. City Administrator Klaers noted the National Guard has vacated their basement office at City Hall and was now located at the Readiness Center on the AHATS property. Public Works Director Maurer stated there was a water main break on Red Fox Road which affected Cub Foods and the adjacent strip mall. The Public Works Department located the break and was working to correct the problem. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to adjourn The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:20 p.m. Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor