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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-19-13-WS -fi1kENJ�HILLS Approved: October 14, 2013 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING AUGUST 19,2013 5:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council work session meeting at 5:03 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Ed Werner Absent: Councilmember Dave McClung Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; Community Development Intern Matthew Bachler; City Planner Ryan Streff; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; and Deputy Clerk Amy Died APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Council accepted the agenda as presented. 1. AGENDA ITEMS Due to the fact that not all of the representatives for the TCAAP Redevelopment Partnership discussion are present at this time, Agenda Item B 2014 Fee Schedule, will be discussed first. B. 2014 Fee Schedule Deputy Clerk Dietl explained that the Council annually establishes a fee schedule for administrative, building construction, liquor licensing, copying of maps and ordinances, park and recreation facility usage, planning and zoning, utilities, business licenses, false alarms, utility fees, and other miscellaneous permits and penalties that are enforced by the City. Staff reviewed the current fee schedule in detail with the Council along with the proposed changes for 2014. Staff requested the Council discuss the proposed fee schedule and provide staff with further direction. Councilmember Holden understood that the City's attorney fees are going to increase. She asked if this increase is reflected in the fee schedule. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 2 Discussion ensued regarding escrow accounts that cover legal expenses for development projects and a recent dangerous dog situation that required legal assistance. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated that legal expenses are passed along to residents and developers when allowable. The dangerous dog issue is an example where the City is required to address certain situations and is obligated to pay its own legal expenses to enforce the City ordinances or regulations. Councilmember Holmes noted that when possible, she wanted to see the increase in attorney fees reflected in the City's fee schedule. Councilmember Holden requested that staff research whether field and irrigation expenses and room rental expenses are adequately being covered and accounted for in the proposed fee schedule. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that the proposed fees do cover the City's costs. Councilmember Holden questioned if the refuse hauler permit covered the City's expenses. She requested that staff investigate this further and report back to Council. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated that the fee for refuse haulers was established to cover the yearly expense incurred for an administrative background check. The Council asked for more information on the refuse hauler requirements. Mayor Grant discussed the local gambling tax and questioned what amount the City is authorized to collect. Deputy Clerk Dietl indicated that City Ordinance states that the City tax shall not exceed 3% of gross receipts. The Council recommended that the 3% local gambling tax be included in the fee schedule. Mayor Grant reviewed the utility rates and expressed concern with the billing rate language. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson discussed the language in detail with the Council, and appropriate per gallon language was decided upon. Councilmember Holmes inquired if staff would be recovering the City's expenses for TCAAP. City Administrator Klaers stated that the TCAAP expenses will be further analyzed by staff and this topic can be discussed at the next budget work session. Councilmember Holmes discussed the use of City picnic shelters and inquired why a $50 fee is charged to residents. She recommended that the fee be waived for preapproved neighborhood groups and National Night Out events. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 3 Further discussion ensued regarding the park fees. Public Works Director Maurer suggested staff could follow Councilmember Holmes recommendation by allowing preapproved neighborhood groups free access to picnic shelters. Councilmember Holden agreed stating that neighborhood meetings promote a sense of community. The Council was in favor of allowing the City's picnic shelters to be free of charge to preapproved neighborhood groups. A. TCAAP Redevelopment Partnership Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that Ramsey County has established a TCAAP Redevelopment Partnership (TRP) to educate the public and build support for the project and the legislative funding request. The TRP is not a formal or legal entity such as the Joint Development Authority (JDA). The TRP consists of organizations that have a common goal—the successful redevelopment of the TCAAP site. TRP members include Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills, the Mounds View School District, and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce (SPACC). It is anticipated that other municipalities and entities will join the TRP as the project moves forward. She explained that representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Ramsey County were present this evening to address the Council. Heather Worthington, Deputy Ramsey County Manager, discussed the TRP further with the Council. She noted that the TRP will address the broader issues regarding the TCAAP redevelopment. She explained that the City Managers in the County see the benefits of this project and have been kept apprised of the latest happenings at the site. She thanked the Council for their time this evening and noted that she was present to take questions or comments from the Council. Mayor Grant requested further information regarding the learning center. Ms. Worthington commented that the learning center will be a joint effort between the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and the County, in addition to contractors and vendors working onsite. The learning center will be a construction trailer that could move around the site and will serve as a mobile classroom for the Mounds View School District. The classes provided from the trailer will have real-world experiences. Councilmember Holden expressed frustration with the lines of communication between the City and the County. She wants to see that communication improves throughout the redevelopment process. Ms. Worthington stated that the County will continue to work on this to improve the partnership between the City and the County. Councilmember Holmes asked if the surrounding communities will take part in the planning process. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 4 Ms. Worthington explained that the surrounding communities have a deep interest in the TCAAP project and will be kept apprised of the redevelopment plans. City Administrator Klaers requested further information on the $35 million bonding bill. Matt Kramer, President of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, stated that the Chamber is working to educate the County and business partners to leverage the legislature to gain support on the bonding for this project. He stated that the redevelopment offered future jobs and tax base growth, among other things. He explained that by bringing partners together upfront on this project,the entire community will benefit. Mayor Grant asked who will be handling correspondence for the TRP. Ms. Worthington explained that this will be conducted by the Chamber of Commerce as the Chamber is taking the lead role with TRP. The Council thanked the representatives for the information presented this evening. The Council took a five minute recess. C. Bethel University Discussion City Planner Streff explained that Bethel University has submitted a letter of intent to purchase the entire Country Financial property located at 2 Pine Tree Drive. Their objective is to purchase the building, and as leases expire, to fully occupy the structure within 5 to 15 years. During this time, Bethel University will slowly expand their higher education uses, including administrative officers, general and specialized classrooms, meeting rooms and other general educational uses into the space. As part of their due diligence prior to purchasing the site, Bethel University intends to apply for a conditional use permit that will allow the entire site to be converted to educational use. City Planner Streff commented that the Country Financial property is currently a multi-tenant building and is approximately 200,000 square feet in size on two tracts of land that total 40.68 acres. The property is located within the B2 Zoning District, where higher education uses are allowed by a conditional use permit. City Planner Streff indicated that in June 2013, the Council approved CUP #13-008 to allow a higher educational use within the Country Financial building. The approval granted Bethel University the ability to occupy approximately 26,000 square feet of space in the building, and required Bethel University to seek City approval for any expansion or intensification of the use. He noted that representatives from Bethel University are present this evening for comments or questions. Staff requested that the Council discuss the consolidation of uses and other buildings used by Bethel University along with the safe connections that could be created between the two campuses. Kathleen Nelson, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at Bethel University, thanked the Council for their time this evening. She reviewed the previous request from Bethel ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 5 University regarding the Country Financial building. She appreciated the City's willingness to have another conversation regarding this building and the proposed use by Bethel University. She presented the Council with a handout and then discussed Bethel's campus master plan. Ms. Nelson stated that the campus's current limiting factor is size as it is physically constrained on all boundaries. She explained how the continuing adult/professional studies programs are expanding and will need to move off campus. She noted that the original intent with the Country Financial space was to move Bethel's offices (currently located on Red Fox Road) into the building along with the new Physician's Assistant program. Ms. Nelson explained that after the original CUP approval, Bethel received new information regarding the fact that Country Financial was interested in selling their building before year end. This led Bethel to completely change their approach to the space. Bethel is now interested in purchasing the entire site to allow for the reconfiguring of the entire campus master plan. Ms. Nelson commented that a purchase agreement has been negotiated with Country Financial and at this time, Bethel plans to proceed with renovating the approved 26,000 square feet of educational space. However, Bethel is interested in seeking a new conditional use permit that will allow Bethel to grow and expand into the property over the next 5 to 15 years. She discussed a potential expansion scenario in further detail. She understood that safety and traffic will be concerns for the City. She requested feedback from the Council on this proposal. Mayor Grant requested further information on Bethel's campus master plan. Ms. Nelson discussed the campus master plan in depth with the Council. Jay Barnes, President of Bethel University, provided comment on the growth in the adult programs noting that the enrollment for traditional students is holding steady at 2,800 students. He explained that the additional space will allow for Bethel to have space for up to 3,250 students. It will take a number of years to reach the projected growth numbers. Councilmember Holden expressed concern with the changing vision for Bethel and their continued need for additional space in Arden Hills. Ms. Nelson indicated that Bethel is outgrowing its current campus and is proposing to shift around administrative offices and classes to benefit the university in the long run. She discussed how education is evolving along with the changing needs of the seminary and how all of these things are being taken into consideration through the campus master plan. Mayor Grant anticipated that the City will need to have additional conversations regarding how the property will fit into Bethel's master plan for future expansion. Councilmember Holden stated that Bethel currently rents and owns other property in Arden Hills off the main campus. She questioned how the other property will be addressed if the Country Financial property is purchased. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 6 Ms. Nelson explained that the Bethel Office Center (County Road F building) will be put up for sale. She noted that there has been no discussion at this time regarding the library property on County Road E2. Mr. Barnes commented that the Pine Tree location will make buildings 31 and 34 disappear from the campus master plan, which will preserve more green space on the campus. Ms. Nelson added that the proposed parking garages will be eliminated if the Pine Tree location is purchased by Bethel. Councilmember Holmes asked what Bethel is proposing for a trail connection. She questioned if Bethel is willing to contribute to a future trail connection, as this would greatly benefit Bethel's students. Ms. Nelson explained that there is a vision to connect to the trail on the west side of the campus. It would greatly benefit the campus to have a trail connection from Old Highway 10, across Snelling Avenue and down County Road E. She commented that Bethel would be willing to contribute to the trail connection. Councilmember Holden indicated that the City has not budgeted for a trail connection in the next 10 years. She saw the trail connection to be a safety concern for Bethel's students. It was her opinion that Bethel would have to bear a significant part of the expense for the trail connection. She then asked if Bethel was proposing to have any additional ball fields constructed. Ms. Nelson stated that a multi-purpose turf field is proposed in the campus master plan which will be used for general recreational sports. Councilmember Holden recommended a traffic study be completed by Bethel to provide the City with information on how traffic would be affected if the Country Financial building were purchased by the college. She then discussed the impact on the City of taking the Country Financial building off the tax rolls. Mayor Grant requested further information on the economic impacts Bethel has on the City's economy. Ms. Nelson noted that students are buying such things as gas and shopping at local stores, which brings a great deal of commerce to the City of Arden Hills. In addition, the college offers a number of cultural events and concerts that are open to the community. Mayor Grant stated that the Pine Tree proposal has become a game changer for Bethel University and that the additional space would be a strategic move for the campus. Councilmember Werner commented that the Country Financial building is currently underutilized. He discussed how the City was working to revitalize the B2 business district. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 7 Mayor Grant indicated that the Council may need additional time to process the possibility of Bethel taking over the Country Financial property. He questioned Bethel's timeline on this project and what additional feedback Bethel needed from the City. Ms. Nelson commented that she was looking for reasonable assurances that Bethel would be able to use the entire site if the building were to be purchased. She understood that Bethel did not have a fully developed master plan in place, but would still be seeking a conditional use permit beyond the previously approved 26,000 square feet. She reported that Bethel was hoping to close on the property by December 15, 2013. Mayor Grant stated that transportation and public safety are very important to the City. These issues would have to be considered further by Bethel. Ms. Nelson explained that Bethel would complete further modeling on the Country Financial site. Mr. Barnes excused himself from the meeting, as he had another function to speak at. He thanked the Council for hearing and considering Bethel's request. a Mayor Grant commented that the Council would continue to think through this proposition while keeping in mind the plans put in place for the B2 district. City Administrator Klaers anticipated that the City would have a CUP application in early September, which would go before the Planning Commission in early October. He indicated that additional Council discussion would take place at the work session meeting in September. Ms. Nelson thanked the Council for the feedback provided this evening. Bob Revoir, Cushman & Wakefield the broker for Country Financial, discussed the value of the Country Financial property stating the site had dropped from $16 million to $6.25 million; and negotiations with Bethel were even less. He expected the site to sell for well below the property's value. He stated that he has leased this space for Country Financial for years and has been struggling to find a buyer. Further discussion ensued regarding the Country Financial building sale. Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Revoir for this information. D. Gateway Signs Mayor Grant explained that the first Gateway sign has been completed, and he has received a great deal of positive feedback. He indicated that the Council planned to complete two additional gateway signs in 2013. He recommended that the Pantone color of the green used on future signs be consistent. He questioned how the Council wanted to move forward with these signs. Councilmember Holmes was in favor of keeping the gateway signs similar. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 8 Councilmember Holden agreed that the signs should remain the same. She commented that this would more easily make Arden Hills recognized as a community. She requested further information from staff on a potential sign at Lexington and County Road 96. Public Works Director Maurer stated that the Ramsey County GIS map indicated that this corner is County right-of-way. He explained that the City would have to apply for a County permit, which would allow the City to use the corner for a gateway sign. Mayor Grant commented that the corner would need substantial landscaping. He stated that the scale of the sign may have to be adjusted given the level of traffic at this corner. City Administrator Klaers indicated that the gateway sign at Lexington and County Road 96 may have to be a 2014 project given the scope of the undertaking. Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the Lexington/Highway 96 location may require both 2013 and 2014 sign funds given the size of the sign location. She commented that the triangle parcel project cost just over$30,000 and estimated that the proposed location may cost in excess of$40,000. Councilmember Holmes questioned why the gateway sign projects were becoming so large. She stated that this was not the original vision for the City's gateway signs. She is in favor of moving forward with the original $10,000 gateway signs without the large scale landscaping projects. The Council further discussed the scope and scale of future gateway sign projects. Mayor Grant explained that the intersection of Highway 96 and Lexington is a key intersection in the City. He would like to complete this gateway sign at a larger scale given the traffic at this intersection. He recommended that the Council not proceed with this project if it is not done well. Public Works Director Maurer suggested that former Councilmember Nick Tamble discuss this matter further with the Council at a future meeting. This would allow the Council time to review the potential scale, size, and cost for a sign at this intersection. Mayor Grant asked if the Council had a site in mind for a 2013 sign that would not require lights and irrigation. He suggested the intersection of 35W and County Road E2 be investigated further by.staff. Councilmember Holden requested that the intersection of Lexington and County Road D also be investigated for 2013. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Councilmember Holmes asked if the triangle parcel was going to be named as it appeared to residents to be a park. Mayor Grant did not feel it was necessary to formally name this parcel as a City park. He discussed a donation that was made to the triangle parcel from Presbyterian Homes. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2013 9 Councilmember Holmes discussed the upcoming State of the City meeting. Councilmember Holden reported the City had a large number of dead trees that needed to be removed. She requested staff review this matter further. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council work session meeting at 8:10 p.m. V �laIll Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor