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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-15-R lt EN HILLS Approved: July 27, 2015 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 8,2015 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 7:03 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung, and Robert Woodburn Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Patrick Klaers; Director of Finance and Administrative Services Sue Iverson; Public Works Director Terry Maurer; City Planner Ryan Streff; Associate Planner Matthew Bachler; and City Clerk Amy Dietl PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holmes requested Item 5B be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further discussion. MOTION: Councilmember McClunE moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously(5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL None. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP)Update City Administrator Klaers stated that the City Council preliminarily approved the TCAAP Redevelopment Code (TRC) on Tuesday, May 26, 2015. The City Council discussed the ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 8, 2015 2 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) at a work session earlier tonight and will discuss it again at a work session on June 15th. Public hearings on the TRC and the CPA are tentatively scheduled for July 8, 2015, at the Planning Commission meeting. The draft TRC is posted on the City's website with a link from the home page. Council Member Holmes requested that the public hearing date be posted on the City's website. City Administrator Klaers commented that this will be done once the date is finalized by Council. B. Joint Development Authority Update City Administrator Klaers stated that the TCAAP Joint Development Authority (JDA) met on Monday, June 1, 2015. A presentation on the TCAAP Redevelopment Code was given by City Staff. Councilmember Holden (and JDA member) appreciated the presentation made by staff on the TRC to the JDA. She commented that concerns were raised regarding the role of the JDA, along with the lack of flexibility that was written into the TRC. She feared that not everyone's vision was being met within the TRC. This would continue to be addressed as the TRC and CPA move through the approval process. C. Transportation Update Public Works Director Maurer reported that the County Road E bridge over Snelling was progressing nicely. The deck has been poured and was curing. Work on the approaches and signals was commencing at this time. He noted that this project was on schedule and the bridge should be open by August 14tH Public Works Director Maurer indicated that County Road E improvements were moving from the inside to the outside of this roadway. Curb, gutter, and sidewalk work would begin shortly. Public Works Director Maurer stated that work has begun on the I-35W/Highway 96 interchange. He explained that this interchange will be closed for three weeks beginning Monday, June 15th. Public Works Director Maurer commented that the County Road F bridge was rebid on Friday. The result was that Ames Contracting was the low bidder. The award of this contract will be expedited and the existing bridge is scheduled for take-down the weekend of July 17-19. Public Works Director Maurer reported that Round Lake Road was essentially completed other than the final lift of blacktop and striping. He anticipated that both would be completed in the next 10 days. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that the Grant and Noble Street Improvement Project area was being prepped for curb/gutter at this time. He noted that the Venus neighborhood would ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 8, 2015 3 have temporary water hookups completed next week in order to allow for the underground work to begin replacing the existing water system. Councilmember Woodburn asked when four lanes of traffic would be open on Lexington Avenue. He discussed the large number of vehicles committing illegal u-turns on TH 51 at Hamline Avenue. Public Works Director Maurer did not have a date certain. He expected that this would occur the first part of July. He reported that the Sheriff's Department is conducting increased enforcement to address the illegal u-turns. Mayor Grant asked if staff has been in contact with Bethel University regarding the no parking signs. Public Works Director Maurer indicated that the no parking signs have been posted. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 13, 2015, Regular City Council B. April 27, 2015, Special City Council Work Session C. April 27, 2015, Regular City Council MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the April 13, 2015, regular City Council meeting minutes, April 27, 2015, special City Council work session minutes; and April 27, 2015, regular City Council meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item- Claims and Payroll Regarding YY Holiday f C. Motion to Approve Round Lake Road Area Improvement—Payment 8 D. Motion to Approve County Road E—Pine Tree Drive Improvements—Payment 2 E. Motion to Approve 2015 Pavement Management Program—PMP—Pay Estimate 1 F. Motion to Approve Lake Johanna Fire Department Capital Expenditures G. Motion to Approve Amendment to Joint Cooperation Agreement MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended removing Item 511 and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 8, 2015 4 A. Findings of Fact and Decision Regarding Application of Holiday Stationstores, Inc. Associate Planner Bachler reported that on May 26, 2015, the City Council considered the application of Holiday Stationstores, Inc. for a Planned Unit Development Amendment to install architectural accent lighting at the Holiday service station located at 1920 West Highway 96 (Planning Case 15-008). The City Council voted to deny Planning Case 15-008, and directed the City Attorney to draft the Findings of Fact and Decision to be reviewed by the City Council at the meeting on June 8, 2015. It was noted the City Attorney has completed the Findings of Fact and Decision document. Councilmember Holmes did not support the Findings of Fact for this Planning Case and would therefore not be able to support the approval of this item. She stated that in the future with situations like this proposal, only unanimous decisions should be placed on the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Woodburn suggested that all references to "neighboring properties" be amended to be "adjacent properties". Mayor Grant believed that the City Attorney used this language per State Statute. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to approve the Findings of Fact and Decision Regarding Application of Holiday Stationstores, Inc. for a PUD Amendment for Property at 1920 West Highway 96 in Planning Case 15-008. The motion carried 4-1 (Holmes opposed). 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) Development Discussion Opportunity for Residents Mayor Grant stated that under the public hearing section, citizens have an opportunity to discuss ideas regarding the Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) development. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:28 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. B. Public Hearing for Presbyterian Homes Request for Conduit Financing Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson explained that the City has issued conduit debt to Presbyterian Homes in the past. She reported that Presbyterian Homes was now beginning Phase II of their development for the brownstones and was requesting conduit financing. The issuance would be in accordance with the original Development Agreement which was dated December 20, 2010. It was noted that the fees collected on this debt issuance would be $25,000. Staff recommended that after the Council holds the public hearing for the proposed conduit debt financing, it adopts resolution 2015-034 giving preliminary approval to the ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 8, 2015 5 financing. She also stated that the City's Bond Counsel and a representative from Presbyterian Homes were present to answer any questions. Councilmember Woodburn requested further information on conduit debt financing. John Utley, bond counsel, provided the Council with further information on conduit debt financing noting that the City would not be responsible for the repayment of these bonds. He reported that the City could issue $10 million each year in conduit debt and could receive a management fee for the issuance of these funds. He noted that conduit debt financing was issued mostly to non-profits at a lower interest rate than can be received elsewhere. Mayor Grant questioned who would be providing the additional financing for this project. Mr. Utley explained that Presbyterian Homes would be financing the remaining $2 million in cash. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #2015-034, Approving a housing program relating to a senior rental housing development to be located in the City of Arden Hills; granting preliminary approval to the issuance of revenue obligations by the City to finance the senior rental housing development, and approving and authorizing certain related actions. The motion carried (5-0). 8. NEW BUSINESS None. 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Woodburn discussed a recent article on affordable housing in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Councilmember Holmes did not understand why this article claimed Cottage Villas was no longer affordable housing. Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson reported that once the TIF note was paid off for this project, the units are not required to remain affordable housing. Mayor Grant provided further comment on Cottage Villas and the increased rental rates. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 8, 2015 6 Councilmember Holmes commented that she would not be able to attend the July 8th Planning Commission meeting. She questioned if another Councilmember would be able to attend in her absence. Councilmember Woodburn stated that he was able to serve as the Council Liaison for this meeting. Mayor Grant noted that he would be attending this meeting as well. Councilmember Holmes indicated that she has been receiving complaints that the City Hall doors have not been opened in a timely manner for Planning Commission meetings. Councilmember Holden commented that the Personnel Committee would be meeting on Wednesday, June 10tH Councilmember Holden explained that last week she and several representatives from Ramsey County toured the TCAAP site with the Pioneer Press Editorial Board. The focus of this tour was energy resiliency. Councilmember Holden reported that she received several complaints from Planning Commission members regarding the recent work session as it seemed to them to have no purpose or structure. She requested staff follow-up with the Council on this item. Councilmember Holmes stated that she believed that the concern was that the Planning Commissioners were not able to review the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment changes and would not be able to review this information until just prior to the July 81h public hearing. Councilmember Holden was in favor of Cottage Villas remaining affordable housing for the lifetime of the structure and not just the duration of the TIF district. Councilmember Holden requested comment from the Lake Johanna Fire Department on the recent purchase of a picnic table that cost$750. Councilmember McClung stated that he would make an inquiry to the Fire Chief regarding this expense. ADJOURN MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Ma Grant adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 7:4:X� r'� Amy Dietl '� David Grant City Clerk Mayor