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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-12-WS ,^iREN.�HILLS Approved: April 16, 2012 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MARCH 12, 2012 5:30 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 Work Session meeting at 5:30 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Council Members Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Ed Werner Absent: Councilmember Nick Tamble (excused) Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Susan Iverson; and Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher 1. ADOPT AGENDA Mayor Grant requested the Council discuss the Hill Capitol Strategies Contract after the Ramsey County Elections discussion. The Council agreed with this suggestion and accepted the agenda by consensus. 2. AGENDA ITEMS A. Discussion with Ramsey County on Precincts and Polling Places for 2012 Elections Joe Mansky, Ramsey County Elections Manager, presented the City Council with redistricting information based on the most recent census. He explained that the census information provided the State with valuable information on how to divide the State into districts for the Minnesota House of Representatives. He reviewed the population from the 2010 census noting the County was working to balance the population between the three polling places. Mr. Mansky indicated Presbyterian Homes was currently under construction, which was a local polling facility. A replacement location was being sought. He has also heard concerns with Valentine Hills as a polling location due to the lack of parking. North Heights Church was mentioned as a polling place, has adequate parking and a great deal of space. North Heights Church representatives supported the County in becoming a polling place. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 12, 2012 2 Mr. Mansky discussed the proposed new precincts for the City as being the portion of the City south of the railroad tracks, the part between the railroad tracks and the freeway, and the portion north of the freeway. These three sections of the City were divided almost equally by population. The number of voters per precinct varied, which was based on demographics more than anything else. Mr. Mansky recommended the middle and northern portions of the City vote at North Heights Church with the southern portion of the City voting at Church of the Way on Lexington Avenue. In the long run, the County was looking to use a fewer number of large facilities to be used as polling places. He reported that the number of absentee ballots was on the rise, with over 15% of Arden Hills residents voting absentee. He questioned if the Council was open to these suggestions. Mayor Grant stated he was in favor of accomplishing both tasks this evening, deciding on both the precinct boundaries and the polling locations. He questioned how the Council would like to proceed with the boundaries. Councilmember Holden agreed with the three boundaries as presented by the County. Councilmember Holmes questioned why the City has been turned from four districts into three districts. Mr. Mansky indicated that he felt the new boundaries made the most geographical sense for the City. Councilmember Holmes commented she had a lot of concerns about using North Heights Church as a polling location. Councilmember Holden asked if precinct lA (located within the boundary of precinct 1) voted in a separate location than precinct 1. Mr. Mansky explained that everyone within precinct 1 would vote at the same location and that the ballots would differ only if the school districts had a referendum. Mayor Grant questioned if the City should move to two precincts with the two polling locations. He stated he supported North Heights Church as a polling place. Mr. Mansky stated this would be an option, allowing those south of the railroad tracks to vote at Church of the Way with the portion of the City north of the railroad tracks voting at North Heights Church. Councilmember Holden stated with the road construction and road closures, residents would have a difficult time reaching these polling places. Councilmember Holmes was not in favor of North Heights Church due to the fact it was not centrally located for Arden Hills residents. She asked if Church of the Way was large enough to be used as a single polling location for the entire City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 12, 2012 3 Mr. Mansky did not feel this was a viable option. It served the City well for the residents living south of the CP railroad tracks. Councilmember Holmes inquired if the County had any other polling place suggestions. Mr. Mansky stated the City could continue to use Valentine Hills Elementary. The County was making recommendations based on the size and parking availability at potential polling stations. Mayor Grant suggested the City plan for the upcoming 2012 election keeping in mind that there is a great deal of road construction surrounding the City this year. Mr. Mansky asked if the City had considered using Bethel University as a polling place. Mayor Grant felt the college was too isolated to be considered. He noted Trinity Church may be an option. After discussing the matter further, he was in favor of keeping three polling places for 2012 with the issue to be revisited in 2014. City Administrator Klaers stated the current polling locations were Church of the Way, Valentine Hills Elementary and the Public Works Facility. Councilmember Holden questioned if the City had to maintain three polling locations for the three districts. She felt now may be the time to make a change. Mayor Grant summarized that the Council was in favor of keeping Church of the Way for precinct 1 and the Public Works facility for precinct 3. A decision needed to be made for precinct 2. Councilmember Holmes suggested that for the 2014 election, Bethel University be approached to serve as a single polling place for Arden Hills as it was centrally located within the City. Community Development Director Hutmacher indicated the parking could be a concern at this location if used for the entire City since elections occur while the university is in session. Mayor Grant requested Valentine Hills remain the polling location for precinct 2 for 2012. The Council concurred. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson explained she would revise the Resolution to assure it could be approved at this evening's Council meeting. Councilmember Holmes requested further information on the absentee ballot voting process. Mr. Mansky discussed the absentee voting process in further detail, explaining the County handled the bulk of these ballots and applications. However, the City will have them available as well. Wages for election judges were then discussed. B. Todd Hill—Hill Capitol Strategies, Inc. Contract ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 12, 2012 4 Mayor Grant stated this item was discussed two weeks ago as the Council was uncertain how the City should proceed with Todd Hill's contract. If the Council took no action, the Council would spend another $2,400 in the next two weeks. Councilmember Holden was in favor of ending the contract. She felt the stadium was not coming to the City of Arden Hills and Mr. Hill's lobbying efforts could end. Mayor Grant indicated the votes favor the City of Minneapolis at this time. However, the State still had to make the final determination. Councilmember Werner questioned if the issue would get through the legislature yet this year. Mayor Grant commented that the legislature would wait until they had the proper number of votes before bringing the issue to a vote. Councilmember Werner asked if Mr. Hill would return to the City if the issue were to shift back to Arden Hills if he was needed for Plan B. City Administrator Klaers stated that he did not feel it was appropriate for the City to request his services be turned off and then on again. He explained the offer by the County to purchase the TCAAP site has been extended to October of 2012 by the GSA. Mayor Grant discussed. the issue further and felt if the Vikings were to change their mind the City could seek future lobbying efforts, but it was not needed at this time. City Administrator Klaers explained he was pleased with the lobbying efforts completed by Mr. Hill to date. Mr. Hill has spoken to a great number of people and provided the City with a great deal of information on the issue. Councilmember Holden agreed that the money spent on Mr. Hill was well spent. However, at this time, the City would need to consider Plan B. Councilmember Werner agreed with these statements. Councilmember Holmes also agreed stating she did not see a need for Mr. Hill to continue his efforts on behalf of the City. City Administrator Klaers was in favor of keeping Mr. Hill on contract for the City as it looks like the legislative session will end early this year and Mr. Hill continues to have good access and conversations with his contacts. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that Mr. Hill has predicted the legislative session could be complete in early April. She questioned if the Council was willing to keep his services on until that time. Councilmember Holmes stated the City had no plan at this time and questioned what Mr. Hill was promoting at this time. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 12, 2012 5 City Administrator Klaers stated Mr. Hill was promoting the Arden Hills site as a viable option if the City of Minneapolis' plan were to fall through. Mayor Grant indicated the TCAAP site was in need of clean up and roadway improvements, which would not require Mr. Hill's efforts if not used for the stadium. Councilmember Werner explained Representative Tim Mahoney has recently vocalized his support of the Arden Hills site. Councilmember Holmes expressed frustration that the City's local legislators have not supported the Arden Hills site. She questioned why the local legislators were not working to put forth a bill to get the site cleaned up, as it was within their jurisdiction. She recommended staff make it clear to Mr. Hill that his efforts were appreciated and that the TCAAP site has now become a County issue. The Council was in favor of taking formal action at the Council meeting to terminate the contract between the City of Arden Hills and Todd Hill. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS City Administrator Klaers indicated the Ramsey County League of Local Government (RCLLG) had planned to hold a meeting on TCAAP on April 26th at Arden Hills City Hall. The meeting date has since changed to Thursday, April 19"' or Wednesday, April 25th. He discussed the presentation that would be made by staff. Councilmember Holden asked who would take the lead on this topic. City Administrator Klaers indicated this was a good question, as the Board directed this to be an agenda item. He felt the County and the City would take the lead. Greg Mack would be discussing the environmental and acquisition issues. Mike Fix will lead a tour of the site. Councilmember Holden expressed concern that RCLLG wanted to discuss the possibilities of property in Arden Hills. Councilmember Holmes agreed. She did not feel the Council supported this issue and felt staff time should not be spent on creating a presentation. She felt the City was being forced into the issue. City Administrator Klaers indicated TCAAP was an important property and RCLLG wanted to learn more about the site, its concerns and the acquisition issues. Councilmember Holden stated the City had the zoning established. She understood that Shoreview was still interested in the property. City Administrator Klaers commented the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon presentation could perhaps take its place. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 12, 2012 6 Councilmember Holmes felt the presentation on TCAAP was out of line. Mayor Grant agreed that this had no place at the Ramsey County League of Local Government. City Administrator Klaers asked Council how he should proceed. Mayor Grant suggested the presentation be held off until May, after the legislative session has closed. Councilmember Holden was fine with staff participating but suggested the possibilities be limited to the information available in the City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code. City Administrator Klaers recommended altering the agenda slightly to have the history of the site and the environmental issues addressed by Mike Fix; and then Greg Mack would speak regarding acquisition and remediation; and then the unsuccessful developmental proposal from Ryan Corporation and the Comp Plan and Zoning Code would then be discussed by staff. Councilmember Holmes did not feel the issues needed to wait until May. Mayor Grant suggested the New Brighton Exchange be added to the agenda for the Ramsey County League of Local Government and that this issue be discussed. City Administrator Klaers questioned how the Council would like staff to proceed with this issue. He indicated that the City could not participate in the event if the Council wished, or the City could host the event and prepare to participate in a presentation. Councilmember Holden indicated she was not interested in meeting with Shoreview to discuss their interests in the site. Mayor Grant requested staff send the message that the focus be taken off of just Arden Hills. He suggested the Northwest Exchange be a future meeting topic for the League of Local Government. After discussion, the Council agreed to allow staff to participate in the meeting. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:45 p.m. A4� Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor