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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-12 Draft Minutes 'It ,- REN HILLS Approved: CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING FEBRUARY 13,2012 5:30 P.M.—ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDEWROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the City Council Work Session meeting at 5:30 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes,Nick Tamble and Ed Werner. Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; City Planner Meagan Beekman; and Deputy Clerk Rebecca Brazys. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Tamble moved and Councilmember Holden seconded the motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously (5- 2. AGENDA ITEMS A. Concept Review— 1300 Grey Fox Road—Salvation Army Proposal City Planner Beekman explained that the applicant has requested a concept review to redevelop the property at 1300 Grey Fox Road. They are proposing to reuse the existing warehouse building and to construct a new building that would be the location of the site's housing and administrative functions. The petitioner is requesting feedback from the Council in order to determine their interest in moving forward with a formal application. City Planner Beekman stated that the concept review process is an opportunity for the City Council to provide comments, questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding the proposed ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 2 development options. A concept review is considered advisory and is nonbinding to the City and applicant. If the petitioner chooses to proceed, a formal application will be subject to the full review process, including a public hearing with Planning Commission and City Council review. City Planner Beekman further explained that the property at 1300 Grey Fox Road is zoned I- Flex. It is currently vacant, but was previously owned and operated by Eastside Beverage as a distribution center and warehouse. The property is approximately 6.6 acres in size and has an 84,912 square foot building on it. There is also a rail spur on the property. City Planner Beekman stated that the Salvation Army is requesting a concept review of a proposal to allow the reuse of the existing building at 1300 Grey Fox Road as a mixed-use, live- work facility. The applicant is proposing to retain and renovate the existing 84,912 square foot structure, utilizing it as a warehouse and processing facility for goods going to and from Salvation Army retail stores. The Salvation Army would take advantage of the existing rail spur to transport goods throughout the region. David Anderson, from Frauenshuh Inc., stated that he has been assisting the Salvation Army with the evaluation of the property and the facility requirements and can answer questions the Council may have. He explained that Bill Price, the administrator of the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) location in Minneapolis, was not able to be present for tonight's meeting due to illness. Annette Bauer, Salvation Army, stated there are 27 different locations in the Twin Cities and they serve approximately 288,000 people every year. They have a $34 million investment in the Cities and provide crisis intervention for many people as well as manage several thrift stores. The proposal for the Arden Hills site is for an Adult Rehabilitation Center. She explained that the ARC in Minneapolis has been in the same building for 64 years and the structure is starting to deteriorate. George Frazier, Salvation Army Program Director, explained that what this program does is help men rebuild their lives. They currently have 125 men enrolled in their six-month program. The men work 8 hours a day in some aspect of the Salvation Army operation. The men participate in programming at night and each resident is given a YMCA membership where they go to work out. He added that their Rehabilitation Centers are closed facilities and should not be confused with the Salvation Army's Harbor Lights shelter in Minneapolis. Also, confidentiality statutes prohibit people from coming and going from the Rehabilitation Center. The program does not include any sex offenders and because they are not a treatment facility, they cannot take men with mental conditions which require medication. Mayor Grant questioned how they would know whether or not a prospective participant has psychiatric problems. Mr. Frazier responded that initial assessments are done on those individuals who come into the program. Also, many residents are referred to this program from another social service program where their background is known. ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 3 Mayor Grant asked what type of social service programs would refer people to this program. Ms. Bauer explained that referrals come from Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, or the County. Councilmember Holden stated that it was her understanding that some of the residents had been incarcerated. Mr. Frazier stated that about 20 percent of their residents come from the Department of Corrections. He further stated that in the three years he has worked at the Minneapolis Rehabilitation Center there have been no incidents with residents. He added that they really control the residents' time and keep them busy. He also explained that they are very careful about placing the proper person in the proper facility. The Rehabilitation Center is not a medical facility so individuals requiring that kind of care would be referred out to other facilities. He explained that what this program is trying to do is get the best outcome for the men so they do a thorough background check and look for criminal history. Ms. Bauer pointed out that this program is very unique as the men are well aware of the expectations, including the required work therapy, when they enter the program. The men work eight hour days, five days a week, and when they aren't doing that they're on programs that are self contained within the center. They are on restrictions for the first 30 days with no cell phone and no car allowed. Councilmember Tamble asked if the men all work within the facility. Mr. Bauer responded that they may work at any of the Salvation Army's nine retail facilities or they may drive Salvation Army delivery trucks. This program does not cost the government and there is no charge to the participants because the income from the Salvation Army stores funds this program. Councilmember Holden asked if a majority of the residents have had substance abuse problems. Mr. Bauer responded affirmatively and explained that this program is a Christian rehabilitation center that includes the entire 12 step program and helps the men rebuild their lives. In order to graduate from the program,the person must have a job, a sober place to live, and a home church. Councilmember Tamble questioned the success rate of this program. Mr. Frazier responded that half of the men who start do complete the program and 20 percent of the men who graduate will be sober in a year, which is the same percentage as Fairview and Hazelden. Councilmember Tamble asked where the men go when they complete this program. Mr. Frazier stated that some men stay in the facility. Others may move onto halfway houses. Councilmember Werner asked if there is staff on site 24 hours a day. ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 4 Mr. Frazier responded there is 24 hour coverage; at night there is a front desk person and a floor person on duty and the Program Director has his cell phone on 24 hours a day. Councilmember Holmes asked if there had been any police calls to the Minneapolis facility. Ms. Bauer explained that there had been two police calls a month for the past three months but those were related to activity in the area, not in the facility itself. Mr. Frazier stated that he understands the Council's concerns about safety but even in the inner city where they are currently located, they have not had any problems. They carefully screen the program participants and they have a professional staff. Ms. Bauer commented that their Harbor Lights shelter, which is one of their facilities in Minneapolis open to the public, recently won an award from the Minneapolis police for the safety of that facility. She added that the Rehabilitation Center is very different from Harbor Lights because it is all self-contained. Mayor Grant questioned why they don't upgrade their existing building and stay in their current location. Ms. Bauer responded that there's actually a small stream running under their current building and the cost to upgrade would be prohibitive. Mr. Anderson, Frauenshuh Inc., also explained that part of the problem with their Minneapolis location is that the warehouse on the current site is outdated with vertical warehousing which is very inefficient. The plan for the Arden Hills site is on 6.5 acres with 90,000 feet of warehouse space and a processing facility which will be of great value to the Salvation Army. The residential element of the program will be added to the Arden Hills site. Also, the Arden Hills site will become the administrative headquarters for the 120 Salvation Army Rehabilitation Centers across the country. Ms. Bauer added that there are approximately 300 employees associated with this program, some working on site and others at the various Salvation Army thrift stores. City Administrator Pat Klaers asked how many similar facilities the Salvation Army has across the country and how many are in urban areas. Mr. Frazier responded that there are 120 facilities, most of which are located in an urban area. He added that they are considering Arden Hills, in part, to be close to Bethel University which has been a source of many of their volunteers. Councilmember Holden commented that there is no public transportation in Arden Hills which would present a problem for the program participants without other means of transportation. ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 5 Mr. Frazier explained that the Salvation Army has vehicles available to transport the men; most of the men have their own vehicles and those who do not have a vehicle typically have family members to transport them once they leave the program. Councilmember Werner questioned how important the railroad access on this property is to the program. Mr. Anderson responded that it was a consideration in selecting this site to provide easy access to shipping to other Salvation Army locations. Mayor Grant asked how many people will be living at the proposed facility. Mr. Anderson stated the maximum number of people residing at this location would be 130. Administrator Klaers asked if the residential portion of the property will be tax exempt. Ms. Bauer responded that all of the site would be tax exempt since the Salvation Army is a non- profit organization. Councilmember Holmes asked if the residents will, after their initial 30 day period, be in the neighborhood and local businesses on their own or if they will be accompanied. Mr. Frazier responded that after the 30 day period, the residents are allowed to leave the facility on weekends, but during the week they work an eight hour day and then participate in programming from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and then have homework. He added that there is a curfew for the residents as well, 11:00 p.m. during the week and midnight on the weekends. City Planner Beekman reviewed the process for this proposal if the Salvation Army decides to move forward. She stated the property is zoned I-Flex and the distribution and processing are permitted uses, but the residential component would require a zoning code amendment. That could be accomplished by going through a PUD process or by doing a long-term interim-use permit tied to the ownership of the property so that as long as the Salvation Army owned the site, the residential facility could continue. Councilmember Holden stated that when she first read this proposal, she was excited. But after the information this evening, she is concerned because there will be no property tax paid by the Salvation Army; the 130 residents will not be using local businesses; and she was hoping to get rid of the railroad spur on the site. Councilmember Werner asked the petitioners what they think the public reaction will be to this proposal. Mr. Frazier stated that there have not been issues at their other locations. They screen their residents to a greater degree than most apartment buildings. Also, he stated that a lot of Arden Hills residents are Christians and the Salvation Army has a good reputation. ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 6 Councilmember Holmes commented that she supports these types of programs. She also stated that she visited the property proposed for this program and found it to be very isolated. However, she suggested that the surrounding neighbors be made aware of this proposal, that the police be consulted, and that someone should see if the YMCA is interested in having the program participants as members. She pointed out that the proposed site has been vacant for two years. Councilmember Tamble stated that this might be considered an undesirable use for the property, but the program does serve a need. He commented that he would like to see the current facility in Minneapolis and see how it operates as a part of determining whether or not this is an appropriate use for Arden Hills. Mr. Anderson reported that the total investment at this site will be $14 million. This project will also result in property enhancement and employment opportunities for the City. Mayor Grant stated he is not typically supportive of changing the City's zoning code. The property is zoned I-flex for a reason and he does not want to rezone pieces of the site. He stated he does not believe the proposed use is a good fit. City Planner Beekman commented that a 3/5 vote of the Council is required to approve a zoning code amendment. City Administrator Klaers asked if there is any 4/5 vote "on the horizon" for this type of amendment. City Planner Beekman responded that she would have to check with the Metropolitan Council to see if this would require a Comprehensive Plan amendment which would require a 4/5 vote. B. Council Liaison Expectations—Roles and Responsibilities Mayor Grant explained that the very nature of liaison appointments results in the roles changing; some Council members are active in their assignments and in some cases the City does not want Council members to be active. City Administrator Klaers explained that this topic was assigned to him by the Council as a part of the goal-setting process. Also, the new Councilmembers have asked about what their role should be as liaisons to various committees. He explained that there is not a set of guidelines for liaisons. He also stated that Councilmember Holden brought this topic up for Council discussion three or four years ago. Councilmember Holden commented that it is very important that Council liaisons regularly attend the committee meetings to ensure ongoing communication. Also, it is the responsibility of the liaisons to represent the Council, not their own agenda. Mayor Grant stated that staff liaisons should consult with the Council before presenting a proposal to a committee. ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 7 Councilmember Tamble stated that the document "Boards, Committees, Commissions and Appointed Bodies" is a good starting point for developing specific liaison information. He suggested that the City create a one page guideline with basic information and the mission for each committee and have that information posted on the City's website. He also suggested that these guidelines be shared with each committee member as well as with the Council liaisons so they have a full understanding of expectations. Councilmember Holden commented that there is currently a policy that a committee member can be removed if they miss more than three meetings. She stated this policy needs to be clarified as there are committee members who regularly contribute to the committee but cannot attend the meetings. She added that the document Councilmember Tamble referred to addresses the committees but not the liaisons. Mayor Grant suggested that staff be asked to create a guideline/mission list for each committee for all six City committees. This information would then be used as a baseline to discuss the liaison roles and responsibilities for each committee. Councilmember Tamble stated that he thinks the committee chairs should be involved in the creation of the guidelines/mission for their committee. Mayor Grant responded that it is his intention that the guidelines outlined by staff include the responsibilities of the liaisons and that the guidelines be presented to Council for review. Councilmember Tamble questioned the voting requirements for each committee. City Administrator Klaers stated that currently none of the liaisons is considered a voting member. City Administrator Klaers commented that the Council should be consulted regarding committee activities and whether or not they endorse the activity. Mayor Grant asked that staff identify guidelines for each committee, including liaison duties and committee spending (if appropriate). When completed, the draft guidelines should be distributed and then Councilmembers can provide input to the City Administrator regarding liaison roles. These guidelines would then be brought back before the Council at a work session. City Administrator Klaers clarified that this would be for the six City committees. He added that the three basic responsibilities of a liaison are to show up, participate, and report to the Council. He further stated that he would like to see the liaison reports at Council meetings on camera so the residents are aware of the committee activities and their relationship to the Council. 3. COUNCIL COMMENTS & STAFF UPDATES None ARDEN HILLS JOINT COUNCIL WORK SESSION—FEBRUARY 13, 2012 8 ADJOURN MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:57 p.m. Patrick Klaers David Grant City Administrator Mayor