HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-13-WS 'It
--AR,,EN�HILLS
Approved: February 11, 2013
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
JANUARY 14,2013
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ARDEN HILLS COMMUNITY ROOM
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council
Work Session meeting at 8:43 p.m.
Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave
McClung, and Ed Werner
Absent: None
Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; and Deputy Clerk Amy Died
1. AGENDA ITEMS
A. 2013 Legislative Session Discussion
City Administrator Klaers stated that State Senator Bev Scalze and Representative Barb
Yarusso were present to discuss the 2013 legislative session and other issues of interest to Arden
Hills.
Senator Bev Scalze noted that she serves on the Local and State Government Team, along with
the Capital Investment Group and two environmental groups. She commented that she would be
discussing the economic impacts of TCAAP and its roadways with one of her groups. She
explained she was working on a bill regarding emails received from the public to City
Councilmembers and the ability to make this data private.
Representative Barb Yarusso reviewed the house hearings she was attending with the Council.
She indicated her committees met twice a week. She noted she has signed onto the data privacy
bill. Representative Yarusso stated that the funding sources for the roadways around TCAAP
would be discussed in the near future.
Discussion ensued regarding the capacity of the Highway 96 and 1-35W bridge.
Mayor Grant stated this bridge was slated to be repaired and redecked in the near future.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 14, 2013 2
Senator Scalze indicated that Ramsey County did have funds set aside for this project in 2013,
but may hold off until more information is available on the TCAAP project.
Councilmember Holden commented that the City has had discussions with Barb Goodwin and
Kate Knueth regarding this matter. She indicated that MnDOT should be contacted regarding this
work as well.
Senator Scalze discussed the potential use of turn back funds for the road construction projects,
and stated that she was very hopeful for good results this upcoming legislative session.
Councilmember Holden expressed concern regarding the number of students walking to the
Mounds View High School in the morning and the lack of safe routes. She requested that the
representatives seek funding for a trail connection in this area.
Councilmember Holmes indicated that the school district states they have no funding for a trail
at this time.
Senator Scalze encouraged the Council to make a regional request for this trail connection.
Councilmember Holden asked what the City can do to enhance the TCAAP funding for the
County and Arden Hills.
Representative Yarusso encouraged the City to provide letters of support for this project from
local stake holders.
Councilmember McClung questioned how much funding was being requested for the I-35W
roadway project.
Senator Scalze stated that $35 million was being requested at this time. She indicated she would
be fighting for the suburbs given the fact the stadium would no longer be coming to the TCAAP
property. She noted that she understood the importance of the roadways to the TCAAP
redevelopment.
Mayor Grant asked if the City had received any requests from the County or State.
City Administrator Klaers indicated neither had made requests of the City to date. He
commented that the City would be working with the County throughout the legislative session.
Representative Yarusso encouraged the City to seek resolutions of support from the cities of
Shoreview, Mounds View and New Brighton as the TCAAP project progresses to show the
County and State that this is a regional effort.
Senator Scalze explained the governor would be working for property tax relief in the next year.
Representative Yarusso indicated the school district was a huge asset to this community and
would keep drawing families into the City.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 14, 2013 3
Discussion ensued regarding other development activity taking place in the City of Arden Hills.
Councilmember Holden noted the fire department would be going to full time.
Councilmember Holmes discussed the new Walgreens that opened a few months ago as well as
the apartment buildings coming to the City.
Mayor Grant noted the Traverse Business Center and the amount of business space that was
being redeveloped. He commented on the Pulte Home development stating this had been a great
success.
Councilmember Holden commented that U.S. Fish and Wildlife may be taking some kind of
action on Round Lake to clean up the lake and turn it into a wetland. She stated the neighbors in
this area were quite upset with the possibility.
City Administrator Klaers reviewed the contact the City has had with Mike Fix regarding the
matter.
Mayor Grant and the Council thanked both Senator Scalze and Representative Yarusso for being
present this evening and for providing an informational update.
B. JDA Appointments
Mayor Grant requested the Council discuss the citizen appointment for the Joint Development
Authority (JDA). He noted that Tony Bennett and Joe Murphy were ineligible candidates based
upon the current language in the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA). He commented that other
potential candidates mentioned were Nick Tamble, David Sand, Clayton Larson, and Stan
Harpstead. He asked for additional names from the Council.
Councilmember Werner suggested Ed von Holtum.
Councilmember McClung added Jim Ostlund to the list.
Councilmember Holmes indicated the JPA could be amended by both parties to allow either
Tony Bennett or Joe Murphy to serve as the citizen appointee.
Councilmember Holden was not willing to pursue an amendment to the JPA as there were
enough qualified residents that lived in the City of Arden Hills.
Councilmember Holmes expressed concern with Clayton Larson serving as the appointee as he
traveled a great deal for business.
Councilmember McClung agreed with this concern.
Mayor Grant indicated the commitment required for serving on the JDA Board was unknown at
this time but this was discussed with Clayton Larson prior to this meeting. He asked if the
Council was interested in narrowing the list or interviewing all six candidates.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 14, 2013 4
Councilmember Holden suggested the list be narrowed.
Mayor Grant commented that he did not know who to remove from the list at this time as each
individual was qualified to serve as the appointee.
Councilmember McClung agreed that all six should be interviewed.
Councilmember Holden and Councilmember Holmes suggested removing Stan Harpstead from
the list.
Discussion took place regarding the candidates that have volunteered for the JDA appointment.
Mayor Grant removed Stan Harpstead's name from the list of candidates and requested one other
name be removed.
Councilmember Holmes suggested Nick Tamble be taken off the list as he has only two years of
experience with the City Council and the other volunteers have many more years of service to the
Arden Hills. She commented that by removing his name, it would also eliminate any prior
Mayors or Councilmembers from serving as the appointee.
Councilmember Holden and Councilmember McClung agreed with this recommendation.
Mayor Grant proposed interviewing the remaining four candidates and having each interview be
approximately 45 minutes in length. The Council was in agreement.
Councilmember Holden requested the City Administrator sit in on the interviews.
Mayor Grant requested that staff compile a list of interview questions and also directed the
Council to submit questions to the City Administrator. These questions would then be sent to the
Council for review.
City Administrator Klaers questioned when the Council was available for the interviews.
The Council agreed to complete the interviews on Monday, February 4, 2013, at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council work session mee ' g at 10:32 p.m.
Patrick Klaers David Grant
City Administrator Mayor
---S DEN HILLS
Request for Special Council Meeting
A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers.
Reason for meeting: 2013 Legislative Session Discussion and JDA Appointment Discussion
Requested Date: 1/14/13
Requested time: Immediately following the Regular City Council meeting.
Open meeting X Closed meeting
Signature—&person(s) making request:
L
Mayor or Council Member Date
Council Member Date
-This section to be completed by City staff-
Date received: (/ ! / )�
Date meeting to be held: 1/14/13
Time of meeting: Immediately following the Regular City Council meeting.
Location: Council Chambers City Hall
All necessary posting and notices have been completed.
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Signature of Depu Clerk Date
City of Arden Hills * 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills,MN 55112-5743
Phone 651.792.7800 * Fax 651.634.5137 www.ei.arden-hills.mn.us