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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-17-R'It ,-ARZEN HILLS Approved: September 25, 2017 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 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, Dave McClung and Steve Scott Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Bill Joynes, Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka, Senior Planner Matthew Bachler, Interim Director of Finance and Admin Services Dave Perrault, and Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Grant requested Item 5F be pulled from the agenda. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority (JDA) Update City Administrator Joynes provided an update on TCAAP and reviewed a memo from Josh Olson with Ramsey County regarding project timeframes. He noted the FAUCET was approved ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 2 and the optimization study was still outstanding. He anticipated the MDA negotiations would continue through the end of the year. B. County Road I/Old Highway 8 Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported roadway work for County Road I/Old Highway 8 was on schedule and should be completed by the end of the month. She explained some dewatering needs to take place in order to finalize the project. Mayor Grant asked if the first lift was in place. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated this was the case. Councilmember McClung questioned what the County would be naming this segment of roadway. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka believed this roadway would be called County Road 13. She indicated she could check with the County to see if any other names were being considered. C. State of the City Update Senior Planner Bachler stated two State of the City events will be held this year: • Thursday, September 28, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Tavern Grill restaurant • Tuesday, October 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall Senior Planner Bachler explained Councilmembers will give presentations covering Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP, development projects, transportation improvements, and more. Arden Hills businesses and residents are encouraged to attend one of the events (the presentations will be the same at both events.) 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Resolution 2017-027 — Awarding the 2017 Sewer Lining Project C. Motion to Approve Resolution 2017-028 Ordering a Public Hearing — Municipal Consent for Highway Improvements for State Project 6205-39 US 10, I35W to CR96 D. Motion to Approve Resolution 2017-029 Accepting $600 Donation from Arden Hills Foundation ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL— SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 E. Motion to Accept Resignation of Alexandria Olson as Communications Coordinator r, Uptiatj to Appr-eve Appointment of Pawn Skelly as Ce 14ni Ati -4 E) MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended removing Item 5F and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 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 7:09 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. B. Resolution 2017-030 Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Perrault stated delinquent utility amounts are certified to Ramsey County quarterly. A list of utility accounts with a delinquent balance was compiled and notices dated August 10, 2017 were mailed. These customers were informed of their delinquent status and were asked to make payment of the delinquent balance by September 6, 2017. Utility accounts with an unpaid delinquent balance after September 6, 2017 would be certified to Ramsey County to be added to property taxes payable in 2018. The certification amount is equal to the unpaid delinquent balance plus an eight percent penalty. A list of remaining delinquent utility accounts, as of September 7, 2017 was reviewed. It was noted the City will request that Ramsey County levy the delinquent balances against the respective properties. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #2017-030 — Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities. The motion carried (5-0). ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 4 C. Resolution 2-17-031 — Order of Abatement at 1870 Glen Paul Avenue Senior Planner Bachler stated staff completed an inspection of 1870 Glen Paul Avenue on July 25, 2017 and noted excessive weed growth in the rear yard of the property in violation of the following subsection of City Code Section 602.02 Public Nuisance Affecting Health: • Subd. 6. All noxious weeds and other growths of vegetation upon public or private property in excess of eight (8) inches. Senior Planner Bachler explained following its inspection, staff sent a letter to the property owner requiring that the violation be corrected. Subsequent follow-up inspections found the violation on the property to persist. In accordance with the City's accelerated abatement procedures in Section 602.07 of the City Code, a letter was posted on the property and mailed to the property owner on August 30, 2017. Based on the accelerated abatement procedures, the property owner has seven working days to abate the nuisance, which was by September 7, 2017. A follow-up inspection showed that no action has been taken. Senior Planner Bachler reported staff is requesting the City Council issue an order for abatement of the property and to continue the abatement order for a two-year period. The two-year period would expire on September 11, 2019. The property owner has seven days from the Council's order to complete the work before the City can have the work completed. Senior Planner Bachler stated an abatement order allows the City to hire a contractor to complete the work on the property and charge the cost back to the property owner. The charge is 125 percent of the cost of the work plus administrative costs. If the charges are not paid, the charge will be certified against the property for collection with the property taxes. Senior Planner Bachler explained if the same violation reoccurs within two years of the Council's order, staff could order abatement without an additional Council hearing or action. A letter would be sent to the property owner ordering future violations to be resolved within seven working days. If the violation is not resolved, staff can order the abatement and charge the expense back to the property owner. Prior to any action, the Council must provide a hearing for the property owner. The property owner was notified of the hearing in conformance with the City Code. Councilmember Holmes asked if this was a rental property. Senior Planner Bachler stated the property was not registered with the City as a rental. Councilmember Holmes questioned if the resident received actual notification of the City's actions. Senior Planner Bachler reported the City sent a letter to the resident via Certified Mail which the Post Office was not able to deliver. He noted a letter was posted on the door in order to give them sufficient notice of the hearing. He explained he drove by the property today to see if the vegetation had been taken care of, and it was not. He noted it appeared that the letter was removed from the door. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-031 ordering accelerated nuisance abatement at 1870 Glen Paul Avenue for excessive vegetation growth not in compliance with City regulations. The motion carried (5-0). NEW BUSINESS A. 2017 Trail and Watermain Projects — Review Trail/Watermain Projects and Approve Engineering Services Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated at the March 13, 2017 City Council meeting, Council authorized WSB to provide preliminary design for the CR E2 Trail, the Old Snelling Trail from Bethel Drive to CR E2 and the Old Snelling Water Main Improvement Project and final design services for the Old Snelling Trail from CR E to Bethel Trail and CR E from freeway Park to Snelling Avenue N. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka explained WSB and staff met with Ramsey County to discuss the placement of the trails adjacent to the respective county roads due to constraints caused by wetlands/waterbodies. The majority of the trail along Old Snelling Road utilizes the existing shoulder. Curb and gutter will be added between the trail and the driving lane. A retaining wall will be needed between McCracken Lane and CR E2 due to wetlands and slopes in that area. The CR E2 trail is also proposed in a similar manner on the existing paved shoulder with curb and gutter. This design provides substantial savings from the original cost estimate the cost estimate as no retaining wall will be required. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported additional water main replacement is proposed on CR E2 due to a recent water main break adjacent to Valentine Hills Elementary School. Staff reviewed the estimated costs and proposed funding sources. This proposal is for final design work which includes bidding services for the CR E2 Trail, Old Snelling Trail from Bethel Drive to CR E2 and the watermain looping project. The amount that is requested for approval is as follows: Final Design - CR E2 Trail 102 hours $11,511 Final Design - Old Snelling Trail (Bethel Dr -E2) 358 hours $40,130 Final Design — Watermain Looping 120 hours $37,560 Grand Total 786 hours $89,201 Councilmember Scott asked what material the failed watermain pipe was made out of. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated this was a cast iron pipe. She noted the new pipes would be PVC. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 6 Councilmember Holmes asked where the old watermain was located. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka described the location of the problem watermain on CR E2. Councilmember Holmes believed the expense for the Old Snelling Trail was quite high. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka commented on the contributions the City would be receiving from Bethel University and the County for this project. Mayor Grant noted this portion of the project was the most expensive part of the trail segment. He explained this segment would connect to the Safe Routes to School. Councilmember Holmes stated she would like this project deferred. She suggested the watermains being completed without the trail at this time. Councilmember Holden believed the Council could make a decision on the trail after the final design work was completed. She questioned how much the TCAAP development was going to help pay for the looping of the watermain in preparation for this development. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported this work was not being done only for TCAAP as there have been breaks in this portion of the City in the past and the proposed fix would solve this problem. Councilmember McClung requested further information on the estimated project costs. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reviewed the estimated project costs with the Council along with the funding sources within the CIP. Councilmember McClung encouraged staff to break down the cost-sharing for the Old Snelling trail in order to provide the Council with proper information on how the project will be funded. He stated he was supportive of the proposed trail. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated she could provide this information to the Council. Councilmember Holden questioned if the City was all done collecting public input. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported this was not the case and noted she plans to have another public meeting in March or April of 2018 prior to the final design plans being complete. Councilmember Holden clarified for the record that MSA funding was still City funding. Mayor Grant stated he originally had sticker shock from the price of the Old Snelling trail but understood that Bethel University has been contributing to the expense of this project, as well as the County. He reported a portion of this trail would be using the roadway shoulder, which was assisting in keeping the price down. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 7 Councilmember Holden inquired how the trail cost sharing with Ramsey County would be completed. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka explained she would investigate this further and report back to the Council. Mayor Grant asked what the fee would be for final design and bidding services from WSB. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported the expense would be $89,201. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to Authorize final design of trail and watermain projects for the CR E2 Trail, the Old Snelling Trail from Bethel Drive to CR E2 and the Old Snelling Water Main Improvement Project (City Project No. 17-W-001) and approve the scope and fee from WSB & Associates in the amount of $89,201 for final design services and bidding services for the projects. Councilmember Holden requested staff hold an additional public meeting for these projects. Further discussion ensued regarding the proposed trail width for the Old Snelling Trail. The motion carried (5-0). 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Holmes announced Northeast Youth and Family Services would be holding a fundraiser on Thursday, October 5. She stated the Taste of Northeast was a great event and would be held at 5:30 p.m. at Vadnais Heights Commons. Councilmember Holden requested an update from staff on Bethel and Northwestern Universities regarding their rental policies. City Administrator Joynes reported staff has a meeting with Bethel University officials on Thursday, September 28. He explained this was a complex matter based on privacy and jurisdictional issues. Mayor Grant suggested this matter be placed on an upcoming worksession agenda in order for the Council to have further discussion on this topic Councilmember Holden stated she would like to see Presbyterian Homes making a contribution to the Fire Department given the large number of calls they generate for public services. She requested staff brainstorm ways to approach this topic with Presbyterian Homes. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2017 8 Mayor Grant supported the Council discussing this further at a future worksession meeting. Councilmember McClung requested the Fire Station No. 1 sign be removed by Public Works. He asked if the City received any feedback on the State Fair parking. He stated he would also like to receive comment from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department on this issue. Mayor Grant commented this would be addressed by staff at the September 18th Council worksession meeting. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported staff would be meeting with the Sheriff's Department to discuss this topic and she stated she could invite a member of the department to attend the Council's worksession meeting. Mayor Grant announced there would be a Block Party at Lexington Station on Tuesday, September 12th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. He invited the Council to attend this event being sponsored by Roberts Management and the Arden Hills Foundation. Mayor Grant stated he would be attending the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon. City Administrator Joynes noted staff would be holding City Attorney interviews tomorrow in the upper conference room. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at M. Jol&Ae TraubaU David Grant Deputy Clerk Mayor