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Home My WebLink About03-25-13-R '�Tt ,-iIQEN HILLS Approved: May 28, 2013 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 25, 2013 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 7:01 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Ed Werner Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; City Planner Meagan Beekman; and Deputy Clerk Amy Died PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holden requested Item 5B be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Grant requested Item 8B be removed from the agenda as the union contract was not ready for approval this evening. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. TCAAP Update ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 25, 2013 2 City Administrator Klaers stated the City received five proposals from high-quality local consulting firms for the TCAAP AUAR, Master Plan, and Regulations & Policies. The proposals have been reviewed and the City has invited two firms for interviews. These firms were HKGi and Kimley-Horn. Interviews would be held on Friday, March 291h and Tuesday, April 2°a City Administrator Klaers indicated Bolander & Sons has moved heavy equipment inside the TCAAP perimeter fence off of County Road H. The imposition of road weight restrictions on March 15 prevents movement of heavy equipment for several weeks. Bolander will be prepared to begin site work immediately following the County's purchase of TCAAP from the federal government. City Administrator Klaers explained the next meeting of the Joint Development Authority (JDA) will be on Monday, April 1, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. in the Arden Hills Council Chambers. He noted he has contacted City Prosecuting Attorney Joe Kelly regarding prosecution of gross misdemeanors and felonies at TCAAP. B. Transportation Update Public Works Director Maurer provided the Council with an update on the US 10 and Highway 96 project. He noted there will be a MnDOT open house in the Council Chambers on March 26th regarding the project. He explained this project had been awarded to Shafer Construction and work will begin as soon as weather permits. C. Lake Johanna Fire Department Update City Administrator Klaers stated the Lake Johanna Fire Department Board of Directors met on March 20, 2013. Action was taken on a number of items including the acquisition of a vehicle for the Fire Chief. Another purchase included a refurbished utility truck#2. He stated that Fire Chief Boehlke discussed a FEMA grant which would assist with the purchase of new 60 air packs. The fire station remodeling projects were discussed at the meeting as well. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 28, 2013, Regular City Council B. January 28, 2013, City Council Work Session C. February 11, 2013, Regular City Council D. February 11, 2013, City Council Work Session Mayor Grant stated that the Council could not take action on this item as the minutes were not included in the Council's agenda packets. He noted the minutes would be approved at the April 8, 2013, City Council meeting. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to table action on the approval of minutes to the April 8, 2013, City Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 25, 2013 3 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B Resolution 201 3 01 c• �P none r .,.,1 Trail G,,nneetio Pr-egr.,,�„ !';,. v --car✓-vz�. �' 0 the Appliea4ien Made to the Minnesota Depaftment of Natural Reseufees Planning Case 13-001 —Variance Request at 1455 Skiles Lane D. 2013 Capital Reimbursement to Lake Johanna Fire Department MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Resolution 2013-015: Supporting the Local Trail Connections Program Grant Application Made to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated staff has been preparing an application for a Local Trail Connections Program through the Minnesota Department of Resources (MnDNR) for the creation of an off street shared use pathway along the west side of Snelling Avenue N (Old Highway 10) from Valentine Park and Lake Valentine Road to County Road E2. The application deadline is Friday, March 29, 2013. The City applied for this grant last year for this same segment but the project was not chosen for award. Staff has since spoken with the MnDNR about areas in which the application could be improved. The application and estimate are being refined to include their suggestions. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson explained that this pathway was listed high on the PTRC's priorities for proposed trails. While this is only a segment of the Snelling Avenue/Old Highway 10 corridor, it is an important connection. The neighborhood meetings for the Valentine Park reconstruction identified this as a priority as well. The pathway would provide a safe route for residents from the Valentine Park neighborhood to County Road E2, while also creating an important trail connection to Valentine Hills Elementary, Perry Park, and Tony Schmidt Regional Park. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson discussed the financial implications of the trail connection noting the Local Trail Connections Program had a 75/25 split. The City would be requesting $150,000 in grant funding. The project would have to be completed by June 30, 2015. Staff noted the City has received letters of support from Ramsey County Public Works, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, Active Living Ramsey County, Bethel University, and the Mounds View School District. Staff recommended the Council adopt a resolution supporting the Local Trail Connections Program grant application. Mayor Grant requested further information on the trail expense and funding sources. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 25, 2013 4 Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated the total project was estimated to cost$362,082.50 and the City would be requesting the grant maximum of$150,000; therefore the City's portion of the project would be $212,082.50. Councilmember Holden supported staff applying for this grant, but recommended the Council sit down and discuss the probability of the City having an additional $250,000 to pay for this project. Councilmember Holmes indicated this trail would greatly benefit the students attending Mounds View High School. She understood the expense was not budgeted, and requested staff inquire if MSA funds could be used for the trail connection. Mayor Grant commented the segment was important but the financing would have to be considered by the Council. He stated if MSA funds were spent on this project, it would not be available for other street projects in the City. He questioned if the County was proposing a trail around the back side of the Mounds View High School in 2016. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated this trail is being proposed by the County in 2016 but there is no funding source identified. Therefore, there is no true time table for this segment. Councilmember McClung recommended staff apply for the grant as this trail is a priority. He indicated the grant will assist with funding the project noting federal dollars may also be available. Councilmember Werner explained a trail in this area would improve safety. MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2013-015 Supporting the Local Trail Connections Program Grant Application Made to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The motion carried (5-0). 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Delinquent Utilities Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated delinquent utility amounts are certified to Ramsey County on a quarterly basis. She commented that a list of utility accounts with outstanding balances was compiled and notices dated February 12, 2013, were mailed. Customers were informed of their delinquent status and were asked to make payment by March 15, 2013. Utility accounts with an unpaid balance after March 15th would be certified to Ramsey County to be added to property taxes payable in 2014. The certification amount is equal to the unpaid delinquent balance and an eight percent penalty. Staff recommended the Council approve a resolution certifying the list of delinquent utility accounts to Ramsey County. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:34 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 25, 2013 5 Councilmember McClung questioned if the homeowners were contacted prior to the certification as there were several repeat offenders. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson explained that staff sent letters to encourage the residents and business owners be brought into compliance. She indicated that those in arrears had a utility bill that was more than 90 days outstanding. MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2013-016, certifvin2 the list of delinquent utility accounts to Ramsey County. The motion carried (5-0). 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorization for RFP's for Market Study and Pay Equity Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated the City last did a market study and upgraded job position descriptions with an outside consultant in 2007, which resulted in a new compensation system, upgraded classifications as well as looked at the City's pay equity compliance. She noted the Personnel Committee met on March 1 lth and decided that a new study would be appropriate given the changes in staff and duties since that time. The City is scheduled to report on pay equity for the year-ending December 31, 2013. To ensure that the City is in compliance, the committee recommends that the Council go out for RFP's for a consulting firm who specializes in this work. The expense was estimated to be $15,000 and is not budgeted for 2013. Councilmember Holden indicated this is a State mandate that has to be completed every three years. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to approve authorization to go out for RFP's to hire a consultant to reevaluate position classifications, do a current market study, and evaluate the City's pay equity compliance. The motion carried (5-0). B. Consider 2013-2015 Union Contract This item was removed from the agenda by Mayor Grant. 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Holden indicated the Arden Hills Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 301h at Cummings Park. She encouraged all to attend. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—MARCH 25, 2013 6 Councilmember Holden stated that Pete Saxe will be retiring from Public Works this month. She asked if he would receive a plaque from the Council. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson indicated a proclamation would be read by the Mayor at a Council meeting. A gift will also be given to Mr. Saxe on behalf of the City for his 23 years of service to the community. Councilmember Holmes asked why weight restrictions were established in the spring. Public Works Director Maurer stated as frost comes out of the ground, roads are at their weakest and weight restrictions assist in protecting the City streets from further damage. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:4 p.m. Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor