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Approved: February 9, 2015
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 12,2015
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 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave
McClung, and Robert Woodburn
Absent: None
Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Public Works Director Terry Maurer;
Community Development Director Jill Hutmacher; Assistant City Engineer John
Anderson; City Planner Ryan Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and City Clerk
Amy Dietl
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a
motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried
unanimously (4-0) (Councilmember Woodburn abstained from the vote due to
the fact that he had not officially been sworn in at that time.)
2. PRESENTATION
A. Swearing In Ceremony for Mayor David Grant, Councilmember Fran Holmes and
Councilmember Robert Woodburn
City Clerk Dietl administered the Oath of Office to Mayor David Grant, Councilmember Fran
Holmes and Councilmember Robert Woodburn.
3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL
None.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 2
4. STAFF COMMENTS
A. TCAAP Update
Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that staff and consultants are scheduling
work for the regulations and policies component of the master planning process. The following
schedule allows for City Council adoption of the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) by the end
of February:
January 12, 2015, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room
• Preliminary Cost Estimates (Infrastructure)
• Final Review Chapters 6-7 (Building Site Development Standards, Building Design
Standards)
January 20, 2015, Regular Work Session at 5:00 pm, Council Chambers
• Ramsey County Presentation
• Final Review Chapters 4-5 (Definitions, Permitted Uses)
January 26, 2015, Special Work Session at 5:30 pm, Community Room
• JDA Approval Process
• Final Review Chapters 1-3 (Introduction, Components of the Code, Administration)
• Final Review Future Land Use Map
February 2, 2015, Special Work Session at 6:30 pm (following JDA meeting), Council Chambers
• Final Gateway Planning Workshop
o Presentation of Final Draft of TCAAP Redevelopment Code(TRC)
o Final Comments and Revisions
February 18, 2015, Special Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 pm, Council Chambers
• Public Hearings
o TCAAP Redevelopment Code
o TCAAP Comprehensive Plan Amendment
February 23, 2015, Regular Meeting at 7:00 pm, Council Chambers
• Adoption of TCAAP Redevelopment Code
• Authorization for distribution of TCAAP Comprehensive Plan for adjacent city and
Metropolitan Council review
Staff explained that additional regular and special work sessions may be scheduled to discuss the
infrastructure study and other TCAAP issues.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. November 24, 2014, City Council Work Session
B. November 24, 2014, Regular City Council
C. December 1, 2014, Special City Council Work Session
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 3
Councilmember Holmes noted a correction to the December 1St minutes on Page 5 stating that
her comment at the bottom of the page should read that she was concerned that the TCAAP
redevelopment code was too restrictive.
MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a
motion to approve the November 24, 2014, City Council work session minutes
and the November 24, 2014, regular City Council minutes as presented, and
the December 1, 2014, special City Council work session minutes as amended.
The motion carried unanimously (5-0).
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll
B. Motion to Approve Organizational and Annual Appointments of the City of Arden
Hills
• Resolution 2015-002, a Resolution Relating to the Organization of the
City of Arden Hills
• Resolution 2015-003, a Resolution Relating to the Appointments to
the Commissions and Committees of the City
• Resolution 2015-004, a Resolution Appointing Council Liaisons to
Commissions and Committees
C. Motion to Approve the Ramsey Conservation District Shared Service Agreement
D. Motion to Approve the Recycling Contract Addendum — Eureka Recycling
Contract Extension
E. Motion to Approve the 2014 Capital Reimbursement to Lake Johanna Fire
Department
MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a
motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize
execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried
unanimously (5-0).
7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS
None.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. TCAAP Public Hearing
Mayor Grant stated that under the Public Hearing section, citizens have an opportunity to
discuss ideas regarding the TCAAP development.
Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m.
i
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 4
B. Public Hearing — 2015 Pavement Management Program — Venus/Crystal
Neighborhood
Assistant City Engineer Anderson stated that on December 8, 2014, the City Council received a
feasibility report for the 2015 Pavement Management Plan for the Venus/Crystal Neighborhood
Improvement Project and ordered a public hearing for January 12, 2015. He presented the Council
with information regarding construction standards and utility improvements planned for the
Venus/Crystal street improvement project. He discussed a community survey that was taken
regarding the project and noted that 54% (34) of the residents were in favor of street
reconstruction while 41% (26) supported a reclamation project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson reviewed the project costs for both a reconstruction project
and a reclamation project. He provided further comment on the City's assessment policy noting
that assessments were done on a per unit basis. He explained that corner lots would be assessed
as a single unit. He reported that the reconstruction option would have an assessment rate of
$11,450 per unit and the reclamation option would have an assessment rate of$7,850 per unit. He
noted that four properties that are proposed to be assessed for this improvement project were also
assessed for the 1998 Fairview improvement project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that following Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429,
notice of the public hearing must be posted twice prior to the meeting; this was done in the
Bulletin on December 31, 2014, and January 7, 2015. A notice was also sent to each property
proposed to be assessed as a part of this project. Staff reviewed the project timeline and
explained that once the public hearing is closed, the next step in the process is for the City
Council to decide on a reconstruction/reclamation project and then order the improvements and
preparation of plans and specifications.
Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Anderson for his presentation and asked if the Council had any
questions.
Councilmember Holden asked if the reclamation process would allow for the removal of the
clay soils under the street.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that this process would not allow for the proper
removal of the poor soils and noted that the new road could heave due to the clay-type soils under
the roadway.
Councilmember Woodburn questioned if the City had a sealcoating policy. He believed that a
proper sealcoating schedule would assist the City in maintaining its roadways in the future.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson commented that the City has increased the frequency with
which roadways are sealcoated in recent years.
Mayor Grant requested that staff provide Councilmember Woodburn with information on the
sealcoating schedule for the past several years.
Councilmember Woodburn was in favor of a reclamation project noting that the current road
survived 40+ years with the current soil conditions.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 5
Councilmember Holmes inquired what the PCI ratings were for these roadways.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson noted that the PCI ratings for the Venus/Crystal
neighborhood roadways were in the single digits. He stated that these numbers indicate that a
street reconstruction is necessary given the poor condition of the streets.
Councilmember McClung addressed the longevity of the roadway. He asked how much longer
the roadways would last if a total reconstruction project were completed versus a reclamation
project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that a reconstruction approach would have limited
maintenance in the future. The roadway would only require sealcoating or a mill and overlay in
the future. He indicated that a reclamation project would need to be reclaimed again in the future.
Councilmember Holden inquired if the inlet capacity could be increased through both the
reclamation and reconstruction processes.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson stated that this was the case.
Mayor Grant questioned if the reclamation project would solve the water issues for the families
currently using sump pumps.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that the water along these roadways would
continue to flow in the same manner as it does today.
Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:46 p.m.
Bill Gillies, 1736 Crystal Avenue, commented that only two houses in his neighborhood don't
have sump pumps. He explained that he moved into the neighborhood in the late 1960's. He
discussed the history of the roadway since that time. He supported new concrete curb and gutter
being installed on the roadway.
Joani Werner, 1758 Crystal Avenue, explained that she was representing herself and three of her
neighbors (Britt Lundgren-1777 Gramsie Road; Deb Dondlinger-1761 Gramsie Road; George
Rehbein-1759 Crystal Avenue). She noted that she and her neighbors were assessed for the
Fairview project in 1998. She and her neighbors did not believe that they should be assessed
again because they own corner lots. She reviewed how the City's assessment policy had changed
and requested that they not be assessed twice.
Deborah Dondlinger, 1761 Gramsie Road, added that corner lots were not offered any bonuses
these days. She requested that she not be charged two assessments given the fact her property
was already assessed with the Fairview project.
Angela Hames, 1839 Venus Avenue, commented that she supported her neighbors on the corner
lots and did not want to see them assessed for a second time. She discussed the age of the
roadways and noted the streets were overlaid in 1993. She provided comment on how a
reclamation project would not address the concerns of the roadway and recommended the City
pursue a full reconstruction project.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 6
Britt Lundgren, 1777 Gramsie Road, noted that she lived on a corner lot and did not want to be
assessed a second time by the City. She explained that she has an irrigation system in her yard
and questioned how this would be impacted by the roadway project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that staff would be in contact with homeowners
regarding this situation and the City's contractor would work to keep irrigation systems in place,
or have them removed and replaced.
Wally Johnson, 1755 Glenview Avenue, questioned the expense for curb and gutter within a
reconstruction project. He commented that he currently supported the reconstruction project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson estimated the concrete expense to be roughly $300,000 for
the curb and gutter for the reconstruction project.
Andrew Strange, 1703 Crystal Avenue, was in favor of a sump pump connection. He stated that
if a connection were available,he would lean his support towards a reconstruction project.
Andrew Frye, 1745 Crystal Avenue, recommended that the City pursue the reconstruction
project. He noted that he has a sump pump that runs often in the spring time and he wanted to see
the water runoff issues in his neighborhood addressed.
Earl Mellema, 3898 Dellview Avenue, expressed concern with how the new street would be
blended into the existing driveways.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson commented that the City would be replacing existing
driveways with like material to match the grade of the new roadway as part of the improvement
project.
Sally Jones, 1691 Crystal Avenue, indicated that her property was previously assessed. She
reviewed the assessments that were being charged to the Noble Road neighborhood and
questioned why these assessments were $2,000 less than her neighborhood.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson explained that the Venus/Crystal neighborhood was not as
dense as the Noble Road neighborhood. He reported that the Venus/Crystal neighborhood also
required more soil corrections, which increased the expense.
Miriam Ward, 3964 Fairview Avenue, supported her neighbors living on corners and requested
they not be double assessed.
Dave Clark, 1748 Venus Avenue, supported the four homeowners on the corner lots and
recommended that these homes not be reassessed for the new project. He discussed an erosion
concern near a storm water pipe along Venus Avenue and requested that the City address this
issue. He commented that he was leaning his support towards a reconstruction project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson noted that the City was aware of this concern and the issue
would be addressed as part of the street improvement project.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 7
Jerry Ciresi, 1831 Venus Avenue, feared how he would be impacted by the assessment as he was
a senior citizen living on a fixed income. He did not believe that a reconstruction project was the
way to go as this would be a large burden for the taxpayers.
Dean Bakken, 1802 Gramsie Road, supported the reconstruction project and recommended the
four corner properties not be reassessed.
Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:28 p.m.
Mayor Grant requested that the Council discuss the matter and provide staff with direction on
how to proceed with this project.
Councilmember Woodburn stated that the reclamation project was projected to be about $1
million less than the reconstruction project. He originally supported the reclamation project
because it would cost the homeowners less, and he thought that reclamation was all that the street
needed. Now, after hearing the presentation and the residents support for reconstruction, he is in
favor of moving forward with the street reconstruction for this neighborhood. He sympathized
with the senior citizens in this neighborhood and understood that the reclamation option would
have reduced the amount assessed on the homeowners.
Mayor Grant questioned how much the water runoff situation would be improved through a full
reconstruction project.
Assistant City Engineer Anderson discussed how the grading and soil conditions would be
improved along the roadway and how this would impact the water runoff.
Councilmember Holmes reported that the assessment amounts could be paid off over a period of
10 years. She also mentioned that a determination on the corner lots would be made at the
assessment hearing.
Mayor Grant noted that the Council had the ability to extend the length of the assessment period.
MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Woodburn seconded a
motion to Adopt Resolution 2015-001 orderinp, the improvement and
preparation of plans and specifications for the reconstruction of the
Venus/Crystal neighborhood.
Mayor Grant thanked the public for their comments this evening. He indicated that he was
initially indifferent between reclamation versus reconstruction. However, after hearing resident
comments, he would be supporting the reconstruction of the Venus/Crystal neighborhood
roadways.
Councilmember McClung agreed and believed that this neighborhood was in need of a complete
street reconstruction. He was pleased to hear that a large number of homeowners in this
neighborhood were voicing the same concern.
Councilmember Holden discussed how the Council has been taking a proactive stance towards
the City's streets and trails. For this reason, she would be supporting the full reconstruction.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 12, 2015 8
The motion carried (5-0).
9. NEW BUSINESS
None.
10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
11. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Holmes reviewed the Commission and Committee appointments. She thanked
each of the individuals appointed for their willingness to serve.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember McCluny, seconded a motion to
adiourn to the TCAAP work session. The motion carried unanimously (4-1)
(Holden opposed).
May r Grant adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 8:48 p.m.
All
Amy Dietl David Grant
City Clerk Mayor