HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-16-R . t
--A DIkEEN HILLS
Approved: October 31, 2016
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 10,2016
7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant declared October 10, 2016, to
be a non-holiday and 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 Jonathan Wicklund
Absent: None
Also present: Senior Planner Matthew Bachler; Interim Public Works Director/City
Engineer Andy Brotlzer; Assistant City Attorney James Monge; and City Clerk Julie
Hanson
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Wicklund requested Item 5C be pulled from the Consent Agenda.
MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a
motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried
unanimously (5-0).
2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL
Jamie Jensen, 1517 Dawn Circle, stated he has been in communication with the Mayor regarding
a concern. He explained his home in Arden Hills was being rented and apparently the water bill
became delinquent. He expressed concern with the fact that if you googled his name and Arden
Hills the search found "Jamie Jensen Delinquent Water Bill" three times. He discussed the City's
internet policy and requested this old material be removed from the City of Arden Hills' website.
Mayor Grant stated the Council has heard this concern previously. He believed this was a
County document but stated the City could look into this further with staff.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—OCTOBER 10, 2016 2
Councilmember Holden questioned how long this information should be placed on the City's
website.
Mr. Jensen believed this information should only be placed on the City's website for one year or
until the delinquency was paid.
3. STAFF COMMENTS
A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority(JDA)Update
Senior Planner Bachler stated there have been no Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) meetings in
the last two weeks. It was noted Mayor Grant and Councilmember Holden met with the
developer, Alatus, on Thursday, October 6, 2016, to discuss the developer's proposed Master
Plan.
B. Transportation Update
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brotlzer reported construction on County Road
D had begun. He anticipated this work would be completed by Wednesday,November 2.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brotlzer stated Public Works staff was patching
potholes and had begun street sweeping. A map of this work would be provided to the City
Council at a future meeting.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brother explained County Road H paving
would continue through this week and a permanent signal system would be completed over the
coming weeks.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brother indicated the Lexington Avenue
medians were being paved at this time. The barrels would be moved from the outside to the
inside lanes later in the week.
Mayor Grant commented that County Road E2 was now open all the way into New Brighton.
Councilmember McClung asked what the estimated completion date was for the Lexington
Avenue project.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brother would contact the County and report
back to the City Council.
Councilmember Holden understood this was not a MnDOT project, but rather was a County
project that should be completed by Tuesday,November 1, 2016, weather permitting.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. September 13, 2016, Special City Council Work Session
B. September 19, 2016, City Council Work Session
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—OCTOBER 10, 2016 3
C. September 26, 2016, Special City Council Work Session
D. September 26, 2016, City Council
MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a '
motion to approve the September 13,2016, Special City Council Work Session
meeting minutes, the September 19, 2016, City Council Work Session meeting
minutes, the September 26, 2016, Special City Council Work Session meeting
minutes; and the September 26, 2016, 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
B. Motion to Approve Lake Johanna Fire Department Capital Expenditures
G. Metionto n e Or-di „ee No. 2016 008 An l fAer-;..., Or-di,.nee 'To„ „e,..,fily
Pr-ehibiting Land Use Applieatiens and Reviews f Higher- ElAL 4fi V1 Uses
Residential, Business r,,dust is andOther-Zones
MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a
motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended removing Item 5C and
to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The
motion carried unanimously (5-0).
6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS
A. Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 2016-008 An Interim Ordinance
Temporarily Prohibiting Land Use Applications and Reviews for Higher
Education Uses in Residential,Business, Industrial and Other Zones
Councilmember Wicklund requested further information from staff on this item.
Senior Planner Bachler stated over the last several years, both Bethel University and the
University of Northwestern have requested higher educational facilities to be located off of their
traditional campuses. These previous requests were both in residential and business zoning
districts.
Senior Planner Bachler explained staff desires to study the concerns raised by the City Council
at previous work session meetings concerning higher education uses in industrial zones, but also
study concerns about the location of higher education uses within residential zones and
commercial zones. To allow time for the City to study the impacts of locating higher education
uses off campus, staff recommends that the City Council adopt an Ordinance placing a temporary
moratorium on higher education land use actions for a period of one year for all zones within the
City.
Senior Planner Bachler reported staff intends to conduct the study over the next 6 to 12 months,
but due to other large scale development issues, staff transitions, etc., the proposed Ordinance will
have a one-year term. Staff will bring forward a detailed study proposal for City Council
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—OCTOBER 10, 2016 4
authorization at a future meeting. City Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance
No. 2016-008: An Interim Ordinance Temporarily Prohibiting Land Use Applications and
Reviews for Higher Education Uses in Residential, Business, Industrial and Other Zones.
Councilmember Wicklund asked if this action was being driven by staff.
Senior Planner Bachler stated that staff was bringing the proposed ordinance forward for
consideration by the City Council.
Councilmember Wicklund questioned how much time would be needed to complete the study.
Senior Planner Bachler anticipated the study would be completed by an outside consultant given
the amount of time that would be required. He estimated the study would be completed in a six-
to twelve-month time period.
Councilmember Wicklund inquired what the expense would be to complete this type of study.
Senior Planner Bachler stated staff has not explored the cost and expected staff would be
bringing forward a proposal at a future meeting.
Councilmember Wicklund asked when the City last passed a moratorium.
Senior Planner Bachler did not recall a moratorium being passed during his time with the City.
Mayor Grant explained a moratorium was passed on the B-2 zoning district.
Councilmember Wicklund questioned why a moratorium was necessary when zoning district
uses were evaluated on a regular basis.
Councilmember Holden believed the moratorium was a good idea because it would assist the
City in evaluating its uses within the B-3 and B-4 zoning districts, and that the University of
Northwestern brought this to the City's attention that it should look at zoning.
Councilmember Wicklund inquired if passing this Ordinance would not allow the University of
Northwestern to pursue the Smiths Medical building.
Assistant City Attorney Monge reviewed the State Statute requirements regarding moratoriums
and explained any requests that would come to the City for higher education uses would be
delayed until the moratorium was complete. However, he noted that any requests made in full
prior to the moratorium being in place would have to be considered by the City.
Councilmember Wicklund asked if the University of Northwestern had submitted an application
in full.
Senior Planner Bachler explained the City did receive an application from the University of
Northwestern for a Zoning Code Amendment and Conditional Use Permit for the Smiths Medical
property on Monday, October 3, 2016. Staff was still evaluating this application and has not
determined if the application is complete.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—OCTOBER 10, 2016 5
Councilmember Wicklund was of the opinion this Ordinance should be tabled prior to a
moratorium being put in place as it would undercut the process that was started several weeks ago
by the University of Northwestern.
Mayor Grant believed it was in the City's best interest to take a look at the I-Flex zoning district
stating this portion of the City has been a successful business incubator.
Councilmember Holden did not believe the City was undercutting any process. She discussed
the City's planning process and did not believe that Arden Hills had to be forced into rezoning a
property just because it became available. She questioned why the City's zoning plans were not
being respected now that Northwestern had a plan for their needs. She reiterated that the current
zoning requirements would not allow for higher education in the I-Flex zoning district.
Councilmember McClung stated he would be supporting the moratorium and reevaluating the
proper locations for higher education. He reported that if staff determines the application
submitted by the University of Northwestern was complete, it would be reviewed by the City in
the next 180 days.
Councilmember Holmes believed the moratorium was in response to Northwestern's request and
the Council's need to properly evaluate where higher education should be located in the City. She
wanted to be assured that this topic was thoroughly evaluated by the City. She commented on the
moratorium that was conducted on the B-2 zoning district stating there has been a very positive
outcome for this zoning district.
Councilmember McClung agreed the moratorium on the B-2 zoning district brought about very
positive efforts after much input from the City and its residents.
A representative from the University of Northwestern presented the Council with a written
document.
MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a
motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2016-008: An Interim Ordinance Temporarily-
Prohibiting Land Use Applications and Reviews for Higher Education Uses in
Residential, Business, Industrial and Other Zones. The motion carried 4-1
(Wicklund opposed).
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. TCAAP Development Discussion Opportunity for Residents
Mayor Grant stated under the Public Hearing section, citizens would have an opportunity to
discuss ideas regarding the TCAAP development.
Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:33 p.m.
With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:33 p.m.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—OCTOBER 10, 2016 6
8. NEW BUSINESS
None.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember McClung suggested the Council address its internet policy at a future
work-session meeting.
Councilmember Holden asked if the City had received information on the tennis court borings.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brotlzer reported the soil borings had been
submitted at the end of July or early August. He would be bringing this information to Council
for discussion at a future meeting.
Councilmember Holden explained she has received complaints from residents in the Chatham
neighborhood and requested the sound system not be allowed to be used by students at the Ona
Orth complex at Bethel University.
Mayor Grant stated he did a ride along with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department several
weeks ago and he learned a great deal from this outing. He encouraged each of the City
Councilmembers to schedule a ride along with the Rainsey County Sheriff's Department.
Councilmember Holden reported the new Public Works Superintendent started work with the
City that day. She explained the Customer Service Specialist started last week and negotiations
with the City Administrator were ongoing.
ADJOURN
MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Mavor Grant seconded a motion to
adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).
Mayor Grant adjourned.the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Ad
Ce Hanson David Grant
Clerk Mayor