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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-19-WS 'I't �- l�EN HILLS Approved: February 25, 2019 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 22, 2019 5:00 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: 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; Chris Harrington and Jordan Horejsi, H.R. Green; and City Clerk Julie Hanson 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Pedestrian Improvements (Hamline & Floral and Hamline & Wyncrest) Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated currently there are two crosswalks on Hamline Avenue south of Highway 96, at the intersection of Wyncrest Court and a midblock crosswalk between Indian Oaks Circle and Eide Circle. Due to concerns of pedestrian safety in these areas, staff had HR Green complete an analysis and provide recommendations. Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka provided the Council with a summary of the recommendations regarding the locations of Wyncrest Court and also mid-block between Indian Oaks Circle and Eide Circle: Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated H.R. Green also considered the LED flashing beacons that are activated by pedestrians (similar to those on Old Snelling at Bethel Drive) and does not recommend utilizing the signs at these locations as detailed in the report. She reported she spoke with the County regarding these pedestrian improvements and explained the County may be willing to share the cost 50/50. Councilmember McClung indicated he was pleased there was something the City could do. He questioned if the mid-block crosswalk would be effective. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 22, 2019 2 Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka commented if she was walking on that trail, she would stop before stepping out onto the street because even though pedestrians have the right of way, cars do not always stop. She recommended the City continue to educate the public on pedestrian safety. Jordan Horejsi, HR Green, discussed the pros and cons of flashing lights near crosswalks. He explained the refuge could be combined with the flashing lights, but noted this would be a more expensive option. He commented the refuge would tell drivers something was different when approaching the crosswalk and may be safer than what was currently there. Councilmember Holden stated she feared drivers would only view the flashing light and not the pedestrian. She explained it was State law to stop for pedestrians within a crosswalk. She recommended the Sheriff sit in this area and hand out tickets in order educate residents on this law. Councilmember Holmes commented on flashing lights along County Road E2 near the elementary school. She noted these lights were not flashing all the time, but rather when students needed to cross the street to get to school. She was of the opinion traffic obeyed the flashing lights and were more cautious of pedestrians due to how that particular light functioned. Councilmember McClung agreed but noted the speed of traffic along County Road E2 was slower than along Hamline Avenue. He indicated the higher rate of speed along Hamline Avenue may impact driver's ability to stop for pedestrians. Councilmember Scott reported he supported the pedestrian refuge at both pedestrian intersections with flashing lights at the trail crossing. Councilmember McClung agreed with this recommendation. Mr. Horejsi stated he liked the combination of the pedestrian refuge and flashing lights. Councilmember Holden commented she was pleased the County was willing to pay for half of the pedestrian crossing expenses. Mayor Grant asked if the Council supported this item moving forward for approval. Council consensus was to direct staff to bring this item back for approval at an upcoming Council meeting. B. Tobacco Discussion City Clerk Hanson explained that the Council first discussed potentially amending the City's tobacco ordinance at its August 20, 2018 work session, followed by the opportunity for vendor comment at its October 15, 2018, work session, and an additional public comment opportunity at a November 13, 2018 public hearing. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 22, 2019 3 City Clerk Hanson referenced the updated list of communities and the actions they have taken, if any, regarding Tobacco 21. She asked the Council for direction regarding a potential ordinance amendment that would increase the sales age to 21 and/or regulate flavored tobacco products. Mayor Grant asked if the State was drafting language to address this issue. Councilmember Holden stated language was being drafted, but this did not mean it would be approved. Councilmember Scott indicated the FDA was considering banning all flavored tobacco sales and Juul was going to pull their products from stores and would be conducting online sales only. He stated he was in favor of banning flavored products sales in Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden anticipated that anything approved by the FDA would take quite some time to trickle down to Arden Hills. Councilmember McClung stated he was in favor of increasing the legal age to 21 for all tobacco products as well as limiting the sale of flavored and menthol products to a tobacco store in the City of Arden Hills. Councilmember Holmes requested further information on how the City or State defined flavored tobacco. Kristin Ackert, Association for Non-Smokers MN, described how the State defines flavored tobacco noting this included, mint, menthol, fruit and candy flavored tobacco products. She reported some cities have determined flavored sales should occur only in adult, dedicated tobacco shops. Councilmember Holden questioned if the City could address this issue in steps. She stated perhaps the Council should consider raising the legal age to 21 and then after that consider regulating the sale of flavored tobacco in the City for tonight's discussion. Mayor Grant questioned if the Council wanted to wait for the State to take action on the tobacco age. Councilmember Holmes stated she did not support waiting for the State, but rather would like to see the City Council take action now. Councilmember McClung agreed. Mayor Grant stated there was consensus amongst the Council to change the legal age of tobacco sales to 21. He explained he supported the City restricting the sale of flavored tobacco. He feared that smokeless tobacco was becoming a gateway for teens. He indicated menthol was also a problem. Councilmember Holden asked if there were any flavors the City wanted to allow. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 22, 2019 4 A discussion ensued regarding flavored tobacco products. Mayor Grant discussed the difference of limiting flavored tobacco sales to a tobacco shop versus a complete ban of flavored tobacco sales. He stated he supported the ban of flavored tobacco sales in Arden Hills. Councilmember McClung explained flavored tobacco was being marketed strictly to kids. He stated there has been a ground swell of cities taking action which may lead to State action. Mayor Grant questioned how other cities drafted an Ordinance to address flavored tobacco sales. Ms. Ackert commented on the best practice language that had been drafted and recommended the City's Ordinance include address flavored tobacco as being candy, fruit, mint and menthol. She reported she could share this language with City staff. Councilmember Holden stated she supported banning the sale of flavored tobacco in Arden Hills. Mayor Grant explained he could also support a full ban of flavored tobacco. Further discussion ensued regarding the regulations neighboring communities have in place with respect to flavored tobacco. Councilmember Holden stated she could support no flavored tobacco being sold in Arden Hills. Mayor Grant and Councilmember McClung were both in agreement. Council consensus was to direct staff to move forward with drafting an Ordinance that would change the tobacco sales age to 21 and to ban the sale of flavored tobacco in the City of Arden Hills. Mayor Grant recommended an effective date of three months after the Ordinance was approved by the City Council. City Clerk Hanson commented she would reach out to local tobacco vendors regarding the Ordinance change. C. Lobby Furniture City Administrator Perrault stated the current furniture in the City Hall lobby is approximately sixteen years old, and was bought when the current City Hall was constructed. The furniture is beginning to show its age, and staff has been researching options to replace it. He referenced the example attached in the Council's packets as a starting point. Councilmember Holden supported staff moving forward with lobby furniture. She recommended staff sit in the furniture to ensure it was comfortable and durable. She suggested ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 22, 2019 5 the furniture also be high enough off the ground that the elderly can get easily in and out of the chairs or couches. The Council was in consensus regarding the need for new lobby furniture. Mayor Grant requested staff report back to the City Council with options. He asked that staff make a recommendation on what will be done with the existing furniture. D. Council Request Tracker City Administrator Perrault reviewed the Council Request Tracker with the City Council. Mayor Grant requested the trail information be updated and reported back to the Council. Councilmember Holden commented on the vacant house on County Road E2. She requested staff provide the Council with an update on this property. She discussed the conversation she had with the corrections crew staff and described the work they could conduct in the city. She anticipated the corrections crew would greatly assist the Public Works Department in the coming year, especially with buckthorn removal. Councilmember Holmes explained City Planner Mrosla would be pursuing a Green Corps intern. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Councilmember Holden requested staff put the new and old water rates on the utility bills for the benefit of residents. Councilmember Holden stated that legislation was introduced for Arden Hills to receive 75% for state citations versus the current 50%payback. Councilmember Holden noted she may not be able to attend the Monday, January 28 Council meeting. Councilmember Scott commented on a recent event he attended with the National Guard. He stated he encouraged the Colonel to better communicate these events with the City. City Administrator Perrault explained he would be speaking with the City Administrator from Rosemount to learn more about how they interact with the National Guard. Councilmember Holmes stated she spoke with Finance Director Bauman regarding the proposed fine ($250) that would be sent to properties that would not allow staff to read their meters. She indicated there were five properties at this time. She explained she did not support sending a fine to these properties but rather would like to see staff working with these homeowners. Councilmember Holmes reported she would be absent the entire month of April. Councilmember McClung commented he may be missing the first meeting in April. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JANUARY 22, 2019 6 Councilmember McClung explained Ramsey County Communications Center went online with an app called Pulse Point. He described how this initiative would assist residents and medical professionals in managing cardiac arrest situations. Councilmember Holden commented on the recent Fire Department report and stated that the location of any new fire station should help reduce the Arden Hills response time. Councilmember McClung reported Fire Station No. 4 was maxed out and noted a new Fire Station was needed south of County Road F and west of Victoria. He stated ideally, a station would locate at the corner of County Road F and Lexington Avenue. Councilmember Holden commented Paul Beggin will be receiving the Paul Harris Achievement Award from the Rotary. She explained the Rotary awards dinner would be held on Thursday, February 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mayor Grant stated he has been reviewing several past agendas. He noted there were many that were comprised of consent items only. He proposed the Council hold one official meeting per month at the end of the month and that a second meeting be held only if there was a pressing matter. Councilmember Holden indicated she could support this change. Mayor Grant stated he was trying to move away from the City holding meetings just for the sake of holding meetings. Councilmember McClung commented he liked this idea. City Clerk Hanson reported this would require an Ordinance amendment if the Council decided to officially hold one regular meeting per month. Council consensus was to direct staff to look at moving forward with one Council meeting a month. Mayor Grant stated he would work with City Administrator Perrault further on this matter. City Administrator Perrault stated there were no pressing EDA matters so the EDA meeting would be canceled for Monday, January 28. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 6:35 p.m. Ail Ile Hanson David Grant Ci y Clerk Mayor