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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-17-R It -A�EN,HILLS Approved: September 25, 2017 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 28,2017 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, and Steve Scott Absent: Councilmember McClung(excused) Also present: City Administrator Bill Joynes; Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Dave Perrault; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion_to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Dave Cmiel, 478 McCarrons Boulevard, expressed concern with the speed of traffic at the intersection of Old Highway 10 and Highway 96. He thanked Councilmember Holmes for requesting this intersection be further patrolled. He suggested a speed monitor be placed along Highway 96 in the coming months when school is back in session. Eileen Scott, 4286 Norma Avenue, stated she was a representative for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. She explained she and her husband, Councilmember Steve Scott, were asked to serve as representatives on the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Steering Committee. She provided the Council with an update on the events that have occurred over the past year, along with the needs of local service members and veterans in the community. The unique needs of service members' children were described. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 28, 2017 2 Councilmember Holden commented on the great work that was being conducted by Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and thanked the Scotts for their service on this committee. John Welsch, owner of the Big 10 Tavern, asked the Council to not support the installation of a sound wall along Highway 10. He stated this wall would cause his business to close after operating at this location for 57 years. Jamie Breske, 4659 Highway 10, indicated she did not support the sound wall along Highway 10 either. She did not believe the wall was necessary and noted the noise from Highway 10 was not a concern to her. She explained she did not want to see two-way traffic along the service road and commented on how this would impact the mobile home park. She reported each of her neighbors were against the proposed sound wall. Mayor Grant reported the Council would not be taking action on the Highway 10 sound wall this evening but would be receiving an update on the project from MnDOT. 3. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS A. MnDOT Highway 10 Project Update Mark Lindeberg, MnDOT, introduced himself to the Council. He provided the Council with a presentation and update on the Highway 10 project. He reviewed the heavy levels of traffic and congestion along this corridor and noted access would be modified in order to improve the situation. He discussed the comments he received from the public at an Open House on July 11. The layout of the project was described at length, along with the project timeline. He provided further comment on the service drive in front of the Big 10 Tavern. Further discussion ensued regarding the noise analysis and proposed 20-foot noise walls. It was noted a sound wall vote would be held in the future. He reported MnDOT would be seeking Municipal Consent with final approval due in January of 2018. Councilmember Holden questioned the speed of traffic along Highway 10. Mr. Lindeberg reported the speed would be posted at 55 miles per hour. Councilmember Holden asked if MnDOT had funding for this project. Mr. Lindeberg explained the Highway 10 project was fully funded. Councilmember Holden requested MnDOT investigate if any Welcome to Arden Hills signs could be posted. Mr. Lindeberg stated he would investigate this further and report back to the Council. Councilmember Scott questioned if a transparent sound wall could be considered for this portion of Highway 10 in order to ensure sight lines remained in place. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 28, 2017 3 Mr. Lindeberg indicated this would make the sound wall cost prohibitive. He reported the cost of the transparent sound wall that was previously installed was paid for by the adjacent property owner and not MnDOT. Mayor Grant asked if the Highway 10 project plans had been presented to the Lake Johanna Fire Department. Mr. Lindeberg stated he has not yet submitted his plans to the Lake Johanna Fire Department, but he would be completing this task to ensure fire trucks could access the service roads to the trailer park. Mayor Grant inquired if MnDOT would be open to completing a sound wall for the residents along Highway 96 if these residents were willing to bridge the funding gap. Mr. Lindeberg commented MnDOT does not offer this type of opportunity. Councilmember Holmes questioned who would be eligible to vote on the sound wall. Mr. Lindeberg explained it was a select group of people that were afforded this opportunity. He reported only homes or businesses that would receive a five-decibel reduction in sound from the sound wall would be able to vote, along with land owners and the owner of Arden Manor. Councilmember Holmes requested further information on traffic flow through this corridor. Mr. Lindeberg reviewed the project design further along with the proposed traffic design layout. Mayor Grant asked how many votes the Big 10 Tavern would get on the noise wall. Mr. Lindeberg reported the Big 10 Tavern would get six votes. Further discussion ensued regarding the sound wall, along with Federal sound wall requirements. Councilmember Holden questioned if a decorative scene could be placed on the sound wall. Mr. Lindeberg stated he could work with the City on a decorative logo for the sound wall as part of the project. Mayor Grant inquired if MnDOT has presented this project to Ramsey County. Mr. Lindeberg explained he had presented this project to Jim Tolaas and Joe Lux at Ramsey County. Mayor Grant asked if this project included any landscaping. Mr. Lindeberg reported the landscaping would be completed after the fact and was not included in the preliminary plans. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 28, 2017 4 Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Lindeberg for his thorough presentation. He recommended Mr. Lindeberg attend an upcoming City Council worksession in order for the Council to further discuss the proposed project. City Administrator Joynes noted this could be done and stated the City Council would be holding a Public Hearing on this project on October 23. 4. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority(JDA)Update City Administrator Joynes stated the County has appointed Louis Jambois as the lead negotiator with Alatus. He commented on Mr. Jambois' background and believed he was a fine candidate for this position. He noted the last JDA meeting in August was canceled but anticipated the group would be meeting next on Tuesday, September 5. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. August 14, 2017, Regular City Council Councilmember Scott requested a change on Page 7 noting the speed signs at Valentine Hills Elementary had been removed and the new signs would be installed later that week. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the August 14,2017,Regular City Council meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2017-024 Awarding the 2017 Seal Coat Project C. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2017-025 Appointing Angela Harries as an Alternate Member to the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring December 31, 2019. D. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2017-026 Appointing Matt Dixon as a Regular Member to the Planning Commission for a Term Expiring December 31, 2019. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 28, 2017 5 None. 9. NEW BUSINESS None. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Scott stated the Valentine Hills Elementary School speed signs had been installed and had yet to be programmed for school hours. Mayor Grant explained a part was missing from the signs and anticipated this part would be installed prior to the start of school in order for the signs to be properly programmed. Councilmember Holden recommended the trees around the sign be trimmed in order for the sight lines to be improved. Councilmember Scott reminded the public that school begins on Tuesday, September 5 and cautioned drivers when driving through the community. Councilmember Holmes stated the City now had the opportunity to install a GreenStep City sign on its City of Arden Hills signs. Mayor Grant requested the Council address this topic at their next worksession meeting. Councilmember Holmes reported she attended a conference recently where the benefits of leaf pickup were discussed. She stated she would be interested in discussing this matter further with the full Council at a future worksession meeting. Mayor Grant commented the Council may not have enough time to begin leaf pickup for this fall but could discuss this topic for 2018. Councilmember Holmes requested the newsletter have an article on the benefits of rain gardens in order to better inform the public. Councilmember Holmes recommended the Council receive an update from the Personnel Committee regarding staff positions. Mayor Grant explained the Personnel Committee would be meeting next on Monday, September 11. Councilmember Holden expressed concern with a property that had been clear cut and requested the City reach out to this property owner to inform them of the City's rules and requirements. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 28, 2017 6 Councilmember Holden believed the State Fair parking was working well until cars began parking on both sides of the street. She noted she contacted the Sheriff's Department when this concern arose. She suggested the Sheriff continue to ticket these vehicles. Mayor Grant indicated he met with a resident regarding State Fair parking concerns. It appears some of the signs were too far apart and noted additional signs had been posted. Mayor Grant commented on the upcoming St. Paul Chamber of Commerce award ceremony that would be held on Wednesday, September 13. Mayor Grant stated Public Works Director Polka was working on the final design for the County Road E trails. This information would be forwarded to the Council in the coming weeks. Mayor Grant reported City Hall staff would be returning to normal business hours the Tuesday after Labor Day. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:29 p.m. r J e Hanson David Grant C14y Clerk Mayor