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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-12-R i It EN HILLS Approved: July 30, 212 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 9,2012 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 7:02 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Council Members Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Nick Tamble Absent: Council Member Ed Werner(excused) Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Assistant City Engineer John Anderson; and Deputy City Clerk Amy Died PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holden requested Item 8A be moved to the consent agenda. Mayor Grant requested Item 813 be moved to the consent agenda. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended moving Items 8A and 8B to the Consent Agenda. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL None. A. Night to Unite 2012 Proclamation Deputy City Clerk Died informed the Council that the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association along with AAA of Minnesota/Iowa is sponsoring a nationwide crime prevention program. Staff is requesting a motion to approve the Proclamation declaring Tuesday, August 7, 2012 as Night to Unite in Arden Hills. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JULY 9, 2012 2 MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to approve the Proclamation Declaring Tuesday, August 7, 2012 as Night to Unite in Arden Hills. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. Transportation Update Public Works Director Maurer stated that Lexington Avenue is fully open with two lanes in each direction and double left turn lanes onto eastbound and westbound I-694. There was a nighttime closure last week at which time they took down the falsework, completed some paving, and striping of bituminous approaches. All that is left is some minor work; some restoration behind the curbs and some striping on the bridge itself that will be done during off-peak hours with everything to be complete in about a week or so. The new cabinet for the signal arrived on time so that is also installed. MnDOT's intent is to change the official detour from northbound Highway 51 when you get off on County Road E back east again over to Lexington and across the Lexington Bridge. It will go back to the original alignment once the bridge contractor, signing and everything else is gone. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that there is not a lot of change regarding I-694. Last week, during the evening shut down, beams were set for the bridge at Hamline over westbound I- 694, and the bridge is starting to take shape. There are no other significant changes and still no definite date for the one month closure of the County Road F and Hamline Avenue intersection, but it is anticipated to close in late July or early August. Staff will keep Council informed regarding this situation. Public Works Director Maurer explained that Councilmembers should have received an email invite from MnDOT for the Public Officials meeting tomorrow at Ramsey County from 10:00 a.m. until noon. It is a continuation of similar meetings updating public officials on the various projects. The last meeting was not well-attended, but they will continue to hold the meetings periodically for those who want to participate. Mayor Grant questioned when the section of Old Snelling, as it comes up under I-694, is scheduled to open. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that Snelling northbound to Hamline and the two loops (one for westbound I-694 and one for westbound Highway 10) are all scheduled to be open this calendar year in November. Hamline southbound to Snelling will not be open until next year. Mayor Grant stated that he sees that opening as a pressure relief for a lot of the local traffic congestion problems. Councilmember Holden inquired if there is a cost to the City for the County Road F and Lexington intersection project that Ramsey County is planning. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JULY 9, 2012 3 Public Works Director Maurer indicated that some minor costs are anticipated. Joe Lux from Ramsey County is trying to get property owners to donate right-of-way, so the more donations that are received means the less our costs will be. There will be some trail costs and $100,000 has been budgeted in the CIP for the project. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 29, 2012 Regular City Council B. June 11, 2012 Regular City Council MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Tamble seconded a motion to approve the May 29, 2012, Regular City Council, and the June 11, 2012 Regular City Council minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Item- Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Authorize up to $9,000 from the Sewer Utility Fund for City Hall Generator Conversion C. Motion to Award the Tierney Brothers Inc. Quote for Council Chamber's Sound System Upgrade Not to Exceed $8,339.38 D. Motion to Approve the 2012/2013 New Brighton Cable Services Agreement E. Motion to Approve Entering into Contracts with Pearson Brothers, Inc. for 2012 Seal Coating, Crack Filling and Bituminous Patching F. Motion to Authorize Proceeding with Booster Station Roof Replacement Based on the Quote of$14,614 Received from Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal,Inc. MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Abatement Order for 1131 Benton Way City Administrator Klaers indicated that the City has received a number of complaints regarding excessive vegetation growth at 1131 Benton Way. After inspecting the site, it was determined the property is in violation of the noxious weed section of City Code because the weeds are growing to a height of eight inches or more. This type of violation allows for the accelerated abatement process. A letter was sent to the property owner on June 12 and June 27. The letter was also posted on the site. At this time, the property owner has not contacted the City. The property ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JULY 9, 2012 4 owner has seven days after the meeting tonight to complete the work, otherwise the City will complete the work and the property owner will be put on a list for two years. In those two years, if the situation is repeated, the City does not have to go through the Public Hearing process again; we can simply order the work to be done and proceed accordingly. If the property owner does not pay the bill for the abatement work, then the cost of the service will be certified to the County for collection with the property taxes. Mayor Grant opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. Mayor Grant closed the Public Hearing at 7:16 p.m. MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2012-024 Ordering Abatement at 1131 Benton Way for Growth of Noxious Weeds and Vegetation Violation of City Code. Councilmember Holmes inquired if we used that organization that we are aware of that can find out who owns foreclosed properties. City Administrator Klaers responded that the City has had good luck going through the banks and having our city attorney check the public records. He is unsure in this situation if we tried using that organization, but he knows that we have sent the letters to the property owner of record. Councilmember Holden stated that she would recommend going through that organization instead of our attorney. It is a free service and they have all the updated records from every bank and can just look in their databases. It would save us money. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Councilmember Holmes questioned the big mound of dirt that is in the middle of Valentine Park. Public Works Director Maurer stated that the dirt is stockpiled for final grading after the amenities are built next year. Once the project is completed, the dirt will be feathered into the grassy area. Additionally, there are rock dams right now to avoid sediment washing directly into Valentine Lake. Once the turf is established, the rock dams will be removed. Councilmember Tamble commented that he had been out for a walk around Floral Park and noticed the Public Works staff working on clearing the paths to make the paths easier to walk on. It has been so hot and he wanted to recognize them for working outside in the summer heat. Mayor Grant inquired if the culvert leading into Valentine Lake is at the correct height. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JULY 9, 2012 5 Public Works Director Maurer indicated that it is at the correct height. Mayor Grant questioned if the Public Works staff is getting use out of the water tanker in terms of watering new plantings and perennial flower beds. Public Works Director Maurer stated that when the water tanker is not needed to fill the jetter, Public Works takes it out to places like the community gardens and flower gardens and trees as needed. Mayor Grant announced that he participated in a ride-along with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department on Friday night. He was amazed at the technology available and how everything operated. He said there were not many calls to respond to, but the calls that they did receive were diverse. He encourages other Councilmembers to also participate in a ride-along. ADJOURN MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:23 p.m. and the City Council will be moving into a work session. Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor