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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-11-18-R T -A QEEN HILLS Approved: July 9, 2018 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11,2018 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 Dave Perrault; Public Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka; City Planner Matthew Bachler; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Grant requested item 6B be pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion as Item 7A. 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 Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, explained he received another piece of mail that has the City of Arden Hills logo on it. He expressed concern with the fact the City sent him a piece of junk mail for an extended warranty that was posed as an official reminder. He believed this was completely inappropriate and encouraged the City to stop sending junk mail to the residents of Arden Hills. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES A. Public Inquiry Response from May 29, 2018 City Council Meeting. t t ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 2 Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported at the May 29, 2018 City Council meeting a resident spoke at the meeting and asked a number of questions about the City's partnership with Service Line Warranties of America, including how it came about, why the City entered into the agreement, and the nature of the agreement. The resident also asked the City Council to end the agreement. In response to the Public Inquiry, as well as questions and comments received from residents since the launch of the partnership, City staff had prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document that includes questions and answers. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka read the Frequently Asked Questions aloud. Mayor Grant asked if a homeowner could stop the warranty program at any time. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka explained this was her understanding. Councilmember Scott commented he was perturbed with the fact he received the two letters. He stated it was his understanding the letters would be sent from Service Line Warranties and not on City of Arden Hills letterhead. Mayor Grant recommended staff contact the City Attorney regarding this matter and noted two letters on City letterhead were enough. Councilmember Holmes suggested this matter be addressed by the City Council at a future worksession meeting. 4. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority(JDA)Update City Administrator Perrault provided an update on TCAAP stating the JDA meeting for June 4 was canceled and rescheduled to June 20 at 6:00 p.m. B. Transportation Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka updated the Council on the progress of the Old Snelling Trail. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated the County began construction on County Road F and noted this project would be completed in two phases. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka explained she held her first field meeting for the Johanna Marsh project. Mayor Grant requested the road closure dates be posted for Old Snelling Road. Councilmember Holmes stated signage was confusing on County Road E2 and noted drivers were having issues. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 3 Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka commented the trail along County Road E2 would be done this week and stated she would investigate this matter further. Councilmember Holden asked when the sound wall would be installed by MnDOT along Highway 10. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported this project would be bid in September and construction of the noise wall would begin in the spring of 2019. Councilmember McClung expressed concern with how the community would be impacted by the closures on County Road F. He requested staff investigate the closure dates for this project and report back to the City Council with this information. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka updated the Council on the Old Snelling Bridge project and noted this project would be moving forward in 2019. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 14, 2018, Regular City Council B. May 21, 2018, City Council Work Session Councilmember Scott requested a change to the May 14 City Council minutes on Page 6 at the bottom of the page changing consulting form to consulting firm. Councilmember Holden requested a change to the May 21 work session minutes on Page 4 stating her comment half way down the page should read: A neighborhood in the City where all the houses were unique, showing her distaste of multiple identical houses being allowed side by side in established neighborhoods. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the May 14, 2018, Regular City Council meeting minutes; and May 21, 2018, City Council Work Session meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously(5-0). 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item -Claims and Payroll B. rr Planning Subdivision Adjustment at 1377 Afden Oaks Dfive and 1415 Count),Read E. C. Motion to Approve the Johanna Station No. 1 Development Contract with Journey Homes Minnesota at 3246 New Brighton Road. D. Motion to Approve Resolution 2018-040 Authorizing the Submittal of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Lake Johanna Station 1 at 3246 New Brighton Road to the Metropolitan Council for Review. E. Motion to Approve Payment Nos. 1 and 2 — Osseo Construction Co. LLC — 0.05 MG Water Tower Rehabilitation Project. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 4 F. Motion to Approve Payment No. 1 — Sunram Construction — Old Snelling Trail and Watermain Improvements. G. Motion to Approve Payment for Repairs and Restoration on Keithson Drive — Valley Rich. H. Motion to Approve Resolution 2018-043 Amending Appointment of Members to the Civic Space Task Force to Include James Lambeth. 1. Motion to Approve Lake Johanna Fire Department Emergency Manager Duties Contract. J. Motion to Approve Ramsey County Cooperative Agreement — Old Snelling Trail Improvements. K. Motion to Approve Payment No. 2 — Michels Pipe Services — 2017 Sewer Lining Project. L. Motion to Approve Resolution 2018-042—Bond Sale Reimbursement. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously(5-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Motion to Approve Planning Case 18-011 for a Minor Subdivision for a Lot Line Adjustment at 1377 Arden Oaks Drive and 1415 County Road E. Mayor Grant asked if the property at 1415 County Road E could be subdivided. City Planner Bachler reported this property could not be subdivided unless a variance was approved because the current width was only 75 feet and if it were subdivided this lot would not meet the minimum depth or lot area requirement of 14,000 square feet. MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to approve Plannintz Case 18-011 for a Minor Subdivision for a Lot Line Adjustment at 1377 Arden Oaks Drive and 1415 County Road E. The motion carried (5-0). 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities Finance Director Bauman reported water customers whose account is 90 days past due were informed that the City intends to certify delinquent charges to Ramsey County to be collected with property taxes next year. These customers have the right to a hearing in front of the City Council to discuss this matter prior to certification. Staff requested the Council hold a Public Hearing and take comments from the public. Councilmember Holden asked how much of the outstanding assessments are collected by the City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 5 Finance Director Bauman reported the City typically recoups at least 90% of the delinquent utilities through assessments. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:29 p.m. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution 2018-041 Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities Finance Director Bauman requested the Council adopt a Resolution confirming quarterly special assessments for delinquent utilities. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-041 Adopting and Confirming Ouarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities. The motion carried (5-0). 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Planning Case 18-010—4061 Lexington Avenue North—Site Plan Review City Planner Bachler stated the City Council previously discussed Planning Case 18-010 at their meeting on May 29, 2018. This application was tabled to allow staff time to work with Primrose Schools on a possible gateway sign easement and to address site plan concerns with the Lake Johanna Fire Department. Staff has completed work on these items and is bringing this planning case back for further review by the City Council. City Planner Bachler commented Primrose Schools is a national system of private preschools that provide child care and early education. There are currently over 300 centers nationally, including 17 locations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Primrose is considering purchasing the property located at 4061 Lexington Avenue for a daycare center and has requested a Site Plan Review to complete site modifications. City Planner Bachler explained the subject property is currently owned by Bremer Bank and includes an approximately 18,000 gross square foot bank and office building. Primrose would remodel the existing building to include 12 daycare rooms for up to 176 children ranging from infants to school-aged children. The basement of the building would be utilized for food preparation, staff space, a conference room, and storage. Primrose would only be completing minor modifications to the building's exterior, such as installing new doors. City Planner Bachler reported the parking stalls and drive lanes on the west and south side of the building would be replaced with a 13,500 square foot playground area. The proposed playground would include a variety of different types of equipment for different age groups, including play structures, swing sets, and a basketball hoop. The parking area on the north side of the building would be modified to include two one-way drive lanes with diagonal parking stalls. Six new ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 6 parking stalls would be constructed on the eastern side of the site south of the Lexington Avenue driveway. City Planner Bachler stated the site currently has driveways on County Road F and Lexington Avenue. The County Road F driveway has full access and the entrance on Lexington Avenue only allows right turns in and out of the site. Ramsey County has recommended that the Lexington Avenue driveway be removed due to proximity to the County Road F intersection. As a recommended condition of approval, the applicant would be required to work with the County to resolve this issue. City Planner Bachler indicated an expanded sidewalk is proposed to provide safe pedestrian access to the center from the parking lot. Additionally, a new sidewalk would be constructed to connect the site to the existing sidewalk along Lexington Avenue. Other site modifications would include a new trash enclosure with brick veneer and a metal gate adjacent to the building within the northern parking area. City Planner Bachler commented new tree plantings would be added within the parking area on the north side of the building and along Lexington Avenue. A portion of the parking area on the south side of the building would be converted to turf grass and include tree plantings. Outside of the existing developed area, the majority of the property is forested with extensive tree coverage. The proposal would not impact this area except for the removal of five trees at the southeast corner of the development area. City Planner Bachler reviewed the Plan Evaluation and offered the following Findings of Fact: 1. The property located at 4061 Lexington Avenue North is located in the I-1 — Limited Industrial Zoning District and within Sign District 6. 2. The applicant has submitted a Site Plan Review application for modifications to the site for a new daycare facility serving more than 10 individuals with care. 3. The proposed daycare facility is a permitted use in the I-1 District. 4. The proposal does not include any additions or modifications to the footprint of the existing principal structure on the property. 5. The proposed exterior playground equipment is in conformance with the 1-1 District Requirements for accessory structures. 6. The proposed site plan would be in conformance with the lot coverage requirements for the I-1 District. 7. The proposal is generally in conformance with the design standard requirements included in Section 1325.05 of the Zoning Code. 8. The existing parking lot does not include planting islands and the proposed site plan would increase the area of the parking lot occupied by planting islands to approximately 4.6 percent. The Zoning Code requires that 10 percent of the parking area be occupied by parking islands. 9. The proposed site plan meets the minimum requirements for parking, loading, and circulation in Section 1325.06 of the Zoning Code. 10. The applicant has proposed to retain and resurface the existing legal nonconforming freestanding sign at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and County Road F. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 7 11. The proposal is not expected to adversely affect the surrounding area of the community as a whole. City Planner Bachler stated the Planning Commission recommended approval (4-0) of Planning Case 18-010 for a Site Plan Review at 4061 Lexington Avenue North, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans in the June 11, 2018 Report to the City Council, as amended by the following ten (10) conditions: 1. The project shall be completed in accordance with the plans submitted as amended by the conditions of approval. Any significant changes to the plans, as determined by the City Planner, shall require review and approval by the Planning Commission and City Council. 2. A Grading and Erosion Control Permit shall be required prior to the commencement of the site modifications. 3. A Building Permit shall be required for the interior improvements and the trash enclosure. 4. A Zoning Permit shall be required for the fencing within the playground area. 5. A Sign Permit shall be required for any wall signage. 6. The existing pylon sign at the intersection of County Road F and Lexington Avenue may remain in place. The applicant shall work with staff to utilize the sign in conformance with the Sign Code. 7. The applicant shall work with Ramsey County to address the Lexington Avenue access driveway. 8. A Ramsey County Right-of-Way Permit shall be required for any work being completed in the County Road F or Lexington Avenue right-of-way. 9. A Letter of Credit in the amount of 125 percent of the cost of materials and installation of the landscaping improvements shall be provided prior to the issuance of any development permits. The Letter of Cred shall be valid for two full years from the date of installation of the landscaping improvements. 10. Before construction, grading, or land clearing begins, trees or tree areas that are to be preserved shall be visibly marked and city-approved tree protection fencing or other method shall be installed and maintained at the critical root zones of the trees to be protected. Mayor Grant asked if the pylon sign would be removed. City Planner Bachler commented the applicant would like to keep the pylon sign. Mayor Grant explained the Council discussed a potential gateway sign on this property similar to the one found on the triangle parcel with the associated landscaping. He asked if the proposed property would have enough space for a similar gateway sign. City Planner Bachler reviewed the area available for a gateway sign noting it was circular in nature and smaller than the triangle parcel which would limit the amount of landscaping that could be done. Mayor Grant stated this was a fairly prominent corner in the City and stated he did not want to see this gateway sign limited. He supported the gateway sign at this corner being 27' x 27'. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 8 Councilmember McClung agreed and noted staff s proposal did not allow for enough flexibility. He stated he liked the idea of getting a larger easement to ensure the City had enough room for an adequate gateway sign. Councilmember Holden questioned if the City could move closer to the intersection in order to have a 20' x 20' square. City Planner Bachler stated staff had shown the possible easement area on private property and not within the County right-of-way. He explained the County may support the installation of landscaping within their right-of-way, but he assumed the County would not want the sign within the right-of-way. Councilmember Holden commented she supported a 200 square foot gateway sign with rock. She noted this was a low maintenance option for this corner. She asked if a gateway sign at this corner would decrease visibility. City Planner Bachler anticipated that a gateway sign would decrease visibility of the building from the corner. Councilmember Scott questioned if easements would be needed from the applicant and the County in order to install a gateway sign. City Planner Bachler stated the proposed easement was entirely on Primrose property and did not go into the County right-of-way. He noted the City would need consent from Xcel Energy in order to acquire a gateway sign easement at this corner. Councilmember Holden commented on the visibility of the gateway sign. She stated she had hoped the gateway sign would be parallel with Lexington Avenue. She feared that the proposed angle of the sign would make it visible from only one direction. City Planner Bachler stated by having the sign at an angle the visibility would be maximized. He reported the sign would be visible to traffic driving along County Road F and Lexington Avenue. Mayor Grant indicated it would be more important for the City Council to ensure they have enough space for the gateway sign noting the Council could then work with staff on the proper angle and height of the sign at a future meeting. Councilmember McClung asked if the next step for this would be to direct staff to negotiate an easement with the applicant that was 27' x 27' at the corner of County Road F and Lexington Avenue. City Planner Bachler stated this was correct noting the City would also need to receive consent from Xcel Energy and that this should be included in any condition. Further discussion ensued regarding the amount of right-of-way available to the City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 9 Councilmember Holden recommended that no trees be required at this gateway sign and that only low shrubs be used if plantings were required. Councilmember Holmes asked if a retaining wall would be required. City Planner Bachler stated a retaining wall would likely be needed because the land had a slope to it. He reported staff was uncertain as to how much the retaining wall would cost. Eric Vogel, Sambatek, expressed concern with how the proposed gateway sign would impact visibility of the site. He noted the applicant has attempted to abide by the Council's recommendation with the signage and respectfully asked the gateway sign not be required. Councilmember Holden commented the gateway sign would only be five feet in height and asked how this would impact visibility of the proposed business. Mr. Vogel stated he feared the gateway sign could create confusion. He understood the pylon sign would be taller than the gateway sign, but it was his fear the gateway sign would detract from the pylon sign. Councilmember McClung discussed how the proposed gateway sign could increase visibility for the property by attracting the eye of passersby. Mayor Grant stated his interest was to have an adequate amount of easement to install a gateway sign that was similar to the one found on the triangle parcel. Councilmember Scott asked if the applicant would be placing signage on the building. City Planner Bachler stated the City has not received a request from the applicant for building signage but anticipated a request would be forthcoming. Mayor Grant noted the pylon sign was non-conforming but preexisting and would be grandfathered in. MOTION: Councilmember McClunz moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve Planning Case 18-010 for a Site Plan Review at 4061 Lexington Avenue North, based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the ten (10) conditions in the June 11, 2018 Report to the City Council. AMENDMENT: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to add Condition 11 to read: The Planning Case is dependent upon negotiating a 27' x 27' easement in the corner prior to the City issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. Councilmember Holmes asked if this Condition would address the easement needed from Xcel Energy. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 10 Mayor Grant commented staff could work to receive consent from Xcel Energy as they were a third party. City Planner Bachler recommended the amendment be reworded to note this was contingent upon receiving consent for the easement from Xcel Energy. He reported if Xcel Energy were to not grant consent the City could not proceed with the gateway sign. Councilmember Holden stated the gateway sign could move forward but the City would have to work within the easement area that remained. She commented it would serve no purpose to move the gateway sign away from the corner. Councilmember Holden offered a friendly amendment that only low-level shrubs be planted by the gateway sign. The consensus of the Council was to support this friendly amendment. Councilmember Holmes stated she would be voting against this amendment as she was against the gateway sign. The amendment carried 4-1 (Councilmember Holmes opposed). The amended motion carried (5-0). B. Community Development Block Grant Program City Planner Bachler requested the Council discuss the City's participation in the Community Development Block Grant entitlement program with Ramsey County. He described the history of the CDBG programs, highlighting the two main programs and noted Ramsey County receives an annual allocation based on the population of the suburban communities participating in this program. Mayor Grant asked how much funding Arden Flats received to create four affordable units. City Planner Bachler reported this project received $365,000 from the HOME Program to keep these units affordable. He explained the City did not play a role in these units becoming affordable,rather this was worked out between the developer and the County. Councilmember Holmes questioned if Arden Flats would have been ineligible to receive these funds if the City had opted out of this program. City Planner Bachler stated he was uncertain and would have to investigate this further. Further discussion ensued regarding the County's ability to grant funding to City projects. Councilmember Holmes asked why the Council was considering opting out when there was no fee for this program. Mayor Grant stated the Council was just doing a health check. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 11 Councilmember Holmes questioned where the funds for this program came from. City Planner Bachler explained the funding came from the federal government and flowed down to the County. Councilmember Holden inquired what the implication would be for TCAAP if the City were to opt out of this program. City Planner Bachler stated it was his understanding Ramsey County receives a certain amount of funds based on the population of the communities participating in this program. These funds are then made available to Ramsey County suburban communities participating in the CDBG program. If the City were to opt out, the County would receive approximately $30,000 less in funding from the federal government. Councilmember Scott stated 10 years ago he applied for a home energy loan through the Home Energy Connection to assist with the replacement of his furnace. While he was approved for a loan, he determined it was better to use his homes equity to pay for the furnace. He stated he did not see an up side to opting out of this program, nor did he see a down side to opting in. For this reason, he stated he would be supporting the City remaining in the program. Councilmember McClung commented he did not believe any further action was required and recommended the City opt in. Councilmember Holmes was in agreement. Councilmember Holden stated she still had concerns with how TCAAP would be impacted by CDBG funding and the HOME program. Mayor Grant indicated three members of the Council supported the Council opting in, which was a consensus. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Scott seconded a motion to dispense with this agenda item. The motion carried (5-0). 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Scott commented on Saturday, June 16 there would be a deployment ceremony for the 1471h Financial Management Support Detachment at Arden Hills Readiness Center at 2:00 p.m. Councilmember Scott reported he would not be able to attend the June 25 City Council meeting. Councilmember Holmes stated she would like to see the Council discuss the insurance program at an upcoming worksession, along with leaf pickup and for the Council to consider changing the tobacco purchase age. Mayor Grant requested these items be placed on a future worksession agenda. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JUNE 11, 2018 12 Councilmember Holden noted former Senator Beth Scalze's husband recently passed away and the wake would be held tomorrow. She commented Elwood Caldwell, who had worked on the City's newsletter for many years, had also passed away. She requested sympathy cards be sent to these families and that a policy be created for this matter. Mayor Grant indicated he would not be able to attend the deployment ceremony and thanked Councilmember Scott for sharing this information. Mayor Grant discussed the City's emergency response manual and suggested each Councilmember be given a copy of this manual. Mayor Grant commented on the tree removal that took place along County Road E. He noted the County had granted Xcel permission to remove trees in order to install a pipeline. He explained he had Director Polka investigating this matter given the fact the tree removal extended past the easement. Mayor Grant thanked Senator Jason Isaacson for his work at the Capitol. Mayor Grant discussed several letters he received and invited the Council to attend a ceremony at Capital Bank on Thursday. He indicated he received a note of thanks from a resident for the recent clean-up day. He reported he received a letter from a resident thanking the Public Works Department for all of the snow removal efforts. Mayor Grant stated the Commission, Committee and Council gathering would be held on Tuesday, July 10. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant a journed the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:53 p Qk A A &V)&." r VV--V F I Vit ie Hanson David Grant y Clerk Mayor