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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-14-14 Special WS Approved: September 8, 2014 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 14, 2014 5:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council work session at 5:35 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden (arrived at 5:50 p.m.), Fran Holmes (arrived at 5:53 p.m.), 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; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; City Planner Ryan Streff; and City Clerk Amy Dietl 1. AGENDA ITEMS C.LJFD 2015 Proposed Budget City Administrator Klaers stated that during the May 21st LJFD Board discussion on the proposed budget, it was noted that full implementation of the duty crew program continues to be a major goal of the Board and the Department. At this meeting the Board also discussed with the Department’s request to consider establishing a full-time Deputy Chief position. City Administrator Klaers commented that as noted by Council Member Holden during the May 27th Council meeting, the proposed budget called for 12.75% increase. This increase was mainly based on the complete 24/7 implementation of the duty crew program in 2015, and did not include the full-time Deputy Chief position. City Administrator Klaers indicated that since the May 21st Board meeting, the Fire Chief has prepared a revised budget proposal for the Board to consider. The new proposal shows a 9.3% increase. This budget proposal adjusts the startup of the additional 45 hours of duty crew shift time from April to July, and still does not include the full-time Deputy Chief position. This proposal continues to call for the full 24/7 implementation of the duty crew program in 2015, but since the additional hours do not begin until July, it also calls for the funding of this final piece of the ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 14, 2014 2 program to be split equally between the 2015 and the 2016 budgets. If this revised proposal is approved, then it is likely that the full-time Deputy Chief position will be delayed until 2017. City Administrator Klaers commented that the updated funding formula has been calculated and incorporated into this revised budget proposal. The funding formula shows the Arden Hills share of the budget decreasing from 26.2% in 2014 to 25.6% in 2015. City Administrator Klaers reported that this revised budget will be presented to the LJFD Board on Wednesday, July 14th. This new proposal shows the Arden Hills share of the budget going up $28,473 or 6.54%. The increase to the City is lower than the overall increase of 9.3% because of the changes in the funding formula. The funding formula page and the revised and updated budget proposal were included in the agenda packet for City Council and public review. Fire Chief Boehlke discussed the duty crew staffing implementation in further detail with the Council. He indicated that this model is taking four or five years to fully implement. He commented that the full time crew would offer 24/7 coverage and that there would no longer be a need to operate Station No. #1 in the southwestern corner of Arden Hills. He explained that the Deputy Fire Chief position has been postponed to 2017. Councilmember McClung requested further information on the current staffing model. Fire Chief Boehlke commented that during the week the department had a total of four part-time firefighters working, with two at Fire Station No. 2 and two at Fire Station No. 4. He stated that from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. the department had three fire fighters at Stations No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4. Councilmember McClung questioned what the plan was going forward. He indicated that he fully supported the full-time duty crew. He recommended that the Council be kept informed on the plans for Fire Station No. 1. Fire Chief Boehlke reported that the department would have a strong staffing foundation 24/7 to cover the majority of calls. He indicated that station call backs were infrequent. He discussed the future of Fire Station No. 1 and described how the closing of this station could impact the community. He believed that operationally, the City would not need this station in the future--even with the TCAAP redevelopment. He commented that if additional staffing was needed, crew members at Fire Station No. 3 would be increased. Mayor Grant believed that the 6.5% budget increase was quite high for 2015. He questioned how cost increases could be reduced for 2016. Fire Chief Boehlke anticipated that after the full-time duty crew was implemented in July of 2015, the increases would level off but not decrease in 2016. Councilmember Werner questioned who owned the land on which Fire Station No. 1 was located. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 14, 2014 3 Fire Chief Boehlke indicated that the Fire Department owned the land. He commented that if the decision was made to close the station, the department would discuss alternative plans with the City regarding service coverage. He believed that the property could be sold with the buildings and any proceeds of the sale would go into the Fire Department’s General Fund. Councilmember Holmes asked if the Fire Department planned to close Fire Station No. 1 in the near future. Fire Chief Boehlke stated that it was not the plan at this time to close Station No. 1, but it may be a possibility after the full-time duty crew is implemented. He did not believe it would be necessary for the department to staff four stations in the future. Mayor Grant thanked Fire Chief Boehlke for attending the meeting this evening. A.TCAAP Infrastructure Public Works Director Maurer explained that Jon Horn and Beth Kunkel of Kimley-Horn and Pam Massaro of Wenck were present to discuss the Infrastructure Study with the Council. Mayor Grant discussed the stormwater treatment area that would be necessary on the TCAAP site. He requested that this area not be deemed as a recreational facility, but rather a required water treatment area. He explained that the Council wanted to see this space turned into an amenity on the site. Public Works Director Maurer reported that the stormwater treatment component is a function of the land and if the City wants to dress this area up, put in a trail or benches, the expenses for these amenities would have to be assumed by the City. Beth Engum , Ramsey County, clarified that the regional treatment of stormwater on the site would benefit both the City and the County. She explained that the regional approach has some development and maintenance advantages as compared to numerous smaller stormwater holding ponds. Jon Horn , Kimley-Horn, reviewed the drainage system in detail with the Council along with how the TCAAP site was being evaluated. Beth Kunkel , Kimley-Horn, discussed the location of the stormwater feature and the area being used for the wetland mitigation area. She commented that the key would be for the City to strike a balance between the stormwater requirements from Rice Creek Watershed District and the DNR. In addition, the current wetlands and impervious surfaces would have to be reviewed. Through all of this analysis, the goals of the County would have to be taken into consideration. She explained that this process would assist staff in creating the final design for the TCAAP site with the understanding that all water resources were being addressed. Councilmember Holden asked if the stormwater and ground water was the City’s responsibility. She then referred to conversations held at the recent JDA meeting regarding stormwater. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 14, 2014 4 Public Works Director Maurer indicated that he was the City’s representative for the TCAAP infrastructure study and commented that the City was paying for a portion of the study (sanitary sewer, water and storm drainage). He reported that the Army was responsible for groundwater and the County was responsible for wetlands. He indicated that the City would be involved in the design of the stormwater system and would have maintenance responsibilities after the system was constructed. Mr. Horn reported that his goal was to design a stormwater system that meets the needs of the development area. Once the requirements are understood and the design is created, the next step would be to create a feasibility report. Then the expense and cost sharing for the project would need to be further evaluated. Mayor Grant asked if the size of the stormwater facility was driven by the amount of impervious surface that would be created by development. Mr. Horn stated that existing and proposed conditions impacted the size of a stormwater facility along with what was necessary to bridge the gap. Councilmember Holden discussed the stormwater ditch that runs adjacent to the spine road. She asked if there was a cost difference between a full-length ditch versus ponds. Mr. Horn explained that ponds would require excavation and the ditches would require pipes. Further discussion ensued regarding ditches versus ponds along the spine road. Ms. Engum commented that the Council would need to consider if the ponds would have water standing in them at all times, and if this water needed to be circulated or treated to maintain a proper level of water quality. Councilmember McClung asked if the majority of the stormwater from the TCAAP site would drain through the green spine to Rice Creek. Ms. Kunkel discussed how water currently flowed through the site noting the majority would flow to Rice Creek. Mayor Grant recommended that the Council discuss what they would like to see on the TCAAP site. He noted that based on comments expressed to date, the Council wants water in the ponds at all times and that the ponds be free of algae or stagnant water. He felt that the stormwater treatment ponds would be considered an amenity. Councilmember McClung stated that his ideal vision was similar to that of Centennial Lakes. He understood that the City may not be able to create something to the same extent, but hoped to have three or four larger bodies of water that were connected through a meandering brook that flowed into the Rice Creek system. This would turn the stormwater treatment system into an amenity rather than a system of ditches. He wanted this development to be differentiated from other sites. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 14, 2014 5 Mayor Grant wanted to see some degree of manicure in some places, as was seen in Central Park in Roseville. He believed that this would enhance the value of the property, which was in the joint interest of both the County and the City. Public Works Director Maurer discussed the different edges available for stormwater ponds. Councilmember Holmes anticipated that the City was hoping that the County would contribute to the stormwater ponding and manicured edges as this would greatly enhance the site and property values. She expressed frustration with the lack of communication between the City and County regarding this matter. Mayor Grant agreed with this comment stating that a general concept for the stormwater ponds would greatly assist Kimley-Horn in designing the site. Ms. Engum believed that she and Public Works Director Maurer were on the same page. She understood that the County had responsibilities as the landowner. Public Works Director Maurer discussed the benefits of addressing the stormwater management from a regional perspective. He noted that the regional management would enhance the value of the property and would reduce the number of ponds on the site and would therefore reduce the long-term maintenance expenses. Councilmember Holmes asked who would be financially responsible for the water treatment, trails, benches and edges of the stormwater ponds. Public Works Director Maurer understood that this would be a joint responsibility. He indicated that further discussions would have to be held between the City and the County. Councilmember Holden clarified that the regional ponds would never be owned by the private landowners, but rather would be maintained by the City going forward. Public Works Director Maurer stated that this was the case and that the ponds would become a part of the public infrastructure. Mr. Horn indicated that his goal through the infrastructure study was to create space to accommodate the stormwater from the entire site in the green spine area. Options would be evaluated, along with the cost and this information would be presented to the Council in October. It was his hope that the areas would benefit and enhance the site for both the City and the County. Mayor Grant discussed the percentage of land that was set aside for treating the stormwater in addition to the current wetlands. He questioned if Kimley-Horn needed to have a better understanding of the proposed density for the site before the infrastructure study could be completed. Mr. Horn described the process he would use when evaluating the infrastructure for the green spine based on the approved Master Plan. He appreciated the vision and direction provided by the Council this evening. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JULY 14, 2014 6 A. Traverse Business Center PUD Amendment — Concept Review — Roberts Management Group The applicant was in attendance but due to time constraints, the Council could not address this item. This item will be discussed at a future meeting. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council work session at 6:59 p.m. Amy Died City Clerk 1 David Grant Mayor I It, --AR EN HILLS Request for Special City Council Work Session A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers. Topics for meeting: A. Traverse Business Center PUD Amendment—Concept Review—Roberts management Group B. Stormwater System Review C. Proposed 2015 UFD Budget Discussion Requested Date: 07/14/14 Requested time: 5:30 PM Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s) making request: hm4i� 07/09/14 Mayor or Councilmember Date Councilmember Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: Date meeting to be held: 07/14/14 Time of meeting: 5:30 PM Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. a. 'Ow�r --- Signature of Cit Jerk Date City of Arden Hills * 1245 West Highway 96 * Arden Hills,MN 55112-5743 Phone 651-792-7800 * Fax 651-634-5137 * www.cityofardenhills.org