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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. z2m'�—;,61 1 z� / / ► 3 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