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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-16-WSILLS GA- Rq,N,H Approved: February 13,2017 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DECEMBER 19,2016 5:OO P.M. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council Work Session at 5:00 p.m. Present: Absent: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave McClung and Jonathan Wicklund None Also present: Interim City Administrator Sue lverson, Interim City Planner Eric Zweber, Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka, Deputy City Clerk Jolene Trauba, Ramsey County Undersheriff Soukkala, and Ramsey County Depufy Sheriff Casey Councilmember Holmes requested the Council receive comment from the Ramsey County Undersheriff on the Highway l0 and County Road 96 intersection. Mayor Grant suggested item lD be discussed after Item lA. 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Traffic and Speed Ramsey County Undersheriff Terry Soukkala reviewed a report with the Council on traffic and speed. He described how the County addressed speed complaints. Mayor Grant questioned if the number of speed citations was on the rise. Ramsey County Undersheriff Soukkala stated he did not have this information in front of him, but he anticipated that citations were on the rise. He commented that he received far more parking complaints than complaints on speed. He indicated he was more than willing to address this issue on behalf of the City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COLNCIL WORK SESSION - DECEMBER 19, 2016 Councilmember Holden discussed the intersection of Red Fox and Lexington Avenue and requested the County pay more attention to this intersection. Ramsey County Undersheriff Soukkala understood this was a very short light and that the signage at this intersection could be improved. He commented he would do his best to better patrol this intersection. Traffic Deputy Casey explained he has not received any traffic complaints from Arden Hills in the past two years. He indicated he could better patrol this intersection, however, he was uncertain if the situation would vastly improve until the signage was addressed. Councilmember Holden discussed another traffic concern on Hamline Avenue near the daycare. She asked that Ramsey County also address the traffic turning left out of the Goodwill. She had concerns about traffic stopping at the Lindey's stop sign as well. Councilmember Holden questioned how Ramsey County defined a 'oschool speed zone". Ramsey County Undersheriff Soukkala explained how the County defined this speed zone. Councilmember Holmes believed that this was up to the officer's discretion given the fact State Statute was unclear. Further discussion ensued regarding how school speed zone signs were to be interpreted. Councilmember Holden recommended the blinking light be shut off when school is not in session. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated another way to address this concern would be to state specifically the hours when the school zone would be enforced. Mayor Grant suggested that the City invite the Ramsey County Sheriff in more than once a year to ensure the City's traffic concerns are being addressed. He asked that trends be addressed at the next meeting between the Sheriff and the City Council. He thanked the Undersheriff and Traffic Deputy for coming in. D. Highway 10 and County Road 96Intersection Ramsey County Undersheriff Terry Soukkala reported the accident that occurred at Highway l0 and County Road 96 was under investigation by the County and the State Patrol. He explained there may have been other contributing factors to this accident. He indicated he could make no further comment regarding this matter. Mayor Grant questioned how long the investigation would take for this accident. Ramsey County Undersheriff Terry Soukkala anticipated the investigation would take several months. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION _ DECEMBER 19, 2016 Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated the County would be conducting a speed study for this intersection. Councilmember Wicklund suggested that after the Council receives the study results from the County that a standard signal be placed at County Road 96 and Highway 10 and not the flashing yellow light. Mayor Grant agreed the flashing yellow was not the most advisable way to manage this intersection. He supported this intersection becoming more safe and suggested the City Council send a letter to MnDOT recommending the light be changed to yellow and red. Traffic Deputy Casey understood MnDOT wanted all of the intersections to be consistent, Councilmember McClung suggested the Council revisit this issue after the County and State Patrol have completed their studies. Mayor Grant requested this item be placed on the February work session agenda. B. Moratorium Zoning Study and Subcommittee Interim City Planner Zweber explained on October 10, the City Council adopted 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 (moratorium). The moratorium can last up to one year to prepare a study to determine the impacts and benefits from higher education land uses and provide recommendations for possible Zoning Code amendments regarding higher education uses. To develop a scope and budget for this study, staff would request a recommendation from the City Council for the public participation process of the study. Interim City Planner Zweber reported the study will evaluate all higher education uses, including residence halls, classrooms, athletic facilities and campus/community centers, and evaluate if these use are suitable within residential, commercial, industrial and/or institutional zones. The study will evaluate the impacts of each of these higher education uses in the light of traffic and parking; economic development; neighborhood compatibility; and public benefit. To guide this evaluation, the following options for public participation within the study appear appropriate: l. Review and guidance from the Planning Commission followed by a public Open House, Planning Commission recommendation and City Council adoption. 2. Establishment of a Citizen Advisory Committee of a broad membership to review and provide guidance during the study followed by a public Open House, Planning Commission recommendation and City Council adoption. Interim City Plann er Zweber stated for reference, when developing the Guiding Plan for the 82 District, the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) was composed of l5 members, two from the Planning Commission, two from the Economic Development Commission, three members from the business community and eight Arden Hills resident members. If the City Council choses to employ a CAC, staff would recommend an l1-member committee that includes: ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION _ DECEMBER 19,2016 . Two City Councilmembers r Two Planning Commissioners . One Economic Development Committee member . One representative from the University of Northwestern . One representative from Bethel University o Two member of the business community (focusing on high technology businesses) o Two Arden Hills residents Councilmember Holmes noted she served on the Citizen Advisory Committee for the 82 District and explained this group was led by Bolton & Menk. Mayor Grant supported the new focus group having members present from the EDC and Planning Commission, in addition to outside consultants. Interim City Planner Zweber believed this process would also benefit by having staff speak with both colleges to see why their campus master plans cannot be implemented. Councilmember Holden suggested the zoning study following the same process as the Comprehensive Plan updates. Councilmember McClung wanted to see this process evaluate where campus was and was not appropriate throughout the City of Arden Hills. He saw this as a Planning Commission and EDC function versus a public committee being formed. He indicated he would welcome comment from the public and the colleges. Mayor Grant questioned how the Council should proceed. Interim City Plann er Zweber explained that WSB had individuals on staff that could address traffic and economic development. Councilmember Wicklund supported the Council using the expertise of WSB for this process, along with receiving comments from the EDC and Planning Commission. Councilmember McClung agreed with this recommendation. Councilmember Holden believed the EDC has a very good background on the City's businesses and for this reason should be involved in the zoning study process. Interim City Planner Zweber stated he would put together a proposal from WSB. C. Arden Hills Notes Proposal Councilmember Wicklund stated the newsletter committee was on the decline and had the potential to decrease even more. He believed there were issues with who would drive the newsletter and the implementation if the committee becomes very small, in addition to who would be driving the newsletter content. He understood the challenge going forward would be to increase the effectiveness and style of the newsletter. He feared that Susan and Mary were ARDEN HILLS CITY COLTNCIL WORK SESSION _ DECEMBER 19, 2016 approaching burn out. He questioned how the Council wanted to address these concems to ensure the January, February and March newsletters were completed. Councilmember McClung understood these concerns. Councilmember Holden recommended the City's committees be asked to draft newsletter articles again, as has been done in the past. Councilmember Wicklund encouraged the Council to consider who or what entities should be driving the newsletter. He suggested the Council find one person to drive the newsletter, whether on staff or a resident. He believed the budget for the newsletter needed to be increased in order to improve communication with the public. Interim City Administrator and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson anticipated the City could find a communications college student to assist with the newsletter' Councilmember McClung suggested Mounds View and Irondale journalism students also be considered. Councilmember Holmes questioned if Zipko should be contacted to drive the newsletter as a part of the City's Communications Director' Mayor Grant anticipated the City's newsletter would coming years as TCAAP develoPed. become increasingly important over the Councilmember McClung hoped that the City would be able to keep Mary involved in the newsletter in some capacity. He appreciated her writing ability. Councilmember Holden suggested the City receive input from the new City Administrator on this topic. Councilmember Wicklund agreed with this recommendation. Councilmember McClung commented on New Brighton's newsletter and noted theirs included Park and Recreation information. Mayor Grant stated he was not opposed to spending more money on the City newsletter as he believed the newsletter was a value to the community' Councilmember Holmes supported the City hiring a local part-time employee for the newsletter, perhaps even Mary, versus hiring Ztpko. Councilmember Wicklund indicated he could support this, so long as the newsletter format were tweaked or updated. He suggested Taylor Design Works be contacted to assist with designing a new layout for the newsletter. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION _ DECEMBER 19, 2016 Councilmember Holden stated she supported a new layout for the newsletter, but she also wanted to find people willing and interested in providing content. Mayor Grant recommended this item be addressed again by the Council at the January worksession. E. Data Practices Procedure Manual Update Interim City Administrator and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated City staff, under the direction of the City Attorney, has updated the Data Practices Procedure Manual in order to update language to comply with current requirements. Updates include naming the City Clerk as the Responsible Authority and Data Practices Act Compliance Official, adding data security procedures as required by Minn. Stat $ 13.05, and minor changes where citation to statutes was outdated or language was unclear. Staff will be requesting the Council formally approve appointing the City Clerk as the Responsible Authority and Data Practices Act Compliance Official, and this item will be presented tonight at the special regular City Council meeting. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Mayor Grant stated he has seen the preliminary designs for Phase II of Lexington Station and he was quite pleased. He believed the new building was complimentary and would look very nice in this development. He reported the preliminary plans would be reviewed by the Council in January. Councilmember Holden requested the Council consider holding the City Council meetings on the 2nd and 4'h Monday's versus the 2nd and last. Interim City Administrator and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson stated the City was a member of the North Chamber of Commerce and asked if the Council also wanted to belong to the St. Paul Chamber. There was Council consensus was for the City to become a member of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Interim City Administrator and Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson indicated Mike Schifsky would be retiring on January 27th' Interim City Plann er Zweber stated he was contacted by a realtor that represented a developer that was interested in tuming the old City Hall site into townhomes. He requested comment from the Council on this proposal. Councilmember McClung believed the Council needed to determine when the right time to sell would be. ARDEN HILLS CITY COLTNCIL WORK SESSION _ DECEMBER 19,2016 Councilmember Wicklund stated this property was an underutilized asset and he understood developers were hungry for land. He supported the land being sold and stated the proceeds could be used to assist with the development of the Civic property on TCAAP. Councilmember Holden believed it would be better to sell the property prior to TCAAP being developed. Mayor Grant anticipated a market study would have to be conducted in order to find the proper value for the old City Hall property. He asked if the Council supported townhomes on this property. Councilmember Holmes was in favor of the Council looking into the property sale further. Mayor Grant recommended staff look into the value of the property further. He stated he believed townhomes would be a good fit for this piece of land. Further discussion ensued regarding the history of the old City Hall property and its potential sale. Interim Cify Plann er Zweber asked if the Council was in favor of the developer bringing preliminary plans to be reviewed at the January worksession. Mayor Grant stated he could support reviewing the plans only if the developer understood the City was uncertain if they were willing to sell the land. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 6:43 p.m. David Grant Mayor