HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-19-WS"I't
EN HILLS
Approved: July 8, 2019
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
JUNE 17, 2019
5:00 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 City
Council Work Session at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Dave McClung,
Fran Holmes and Steve Scott
Absent: None
Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault, Community Development Manager/City
Planner Mike Mrosla, Bolton & Menk Consultant Planner Jane Kansier, Interim Public
Works Director/City Engineer Sue Polka, Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba, Lake Johanna Fire
Department Chief Tim Boehlke, Assistant Chief Eric Nordeen, Deputy Chief Matt Sather,
Deputy Chief/Fire Marshall Kris Rewald, Buetow 2 Architects' Modris Feders, and
Ramsey County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Otto
Councilmember Holden requested Item F be added to discuss City water usage.
1. AGENDA ITEMS
A. Lake Johanna Fire Departments Needs Assessment Overview
Lake Johanna Fire Department Chief Boehlke introduced the Fire Department staff present.
Deputy Chief Sather gave a presentation highlighting the history of the Fire Department, where
they have been operationally, where they are now in relation to staff and stations, and the Needs
Study that was recently completed.
Mr. Feders from Buetow 2 Architects discussed potential sites for a new fire station in the
southern part of the coverage area and a potential recommendation.
Chief Boehlke noted that all three cities (Arden Hills, Shoreview and North Oaks) would get
equal benefit from the new facility.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — June 17, 2019 2
Councilmember McClung felt the other potential locations would have increased costs to make
them buildable.
Councilmember Holden said she thought the original idea was to buy land and wait a couple of
years before building.
Chief Boehlke said they would move a quickly as allowed by the three cities. He noted the
current fire station buildings would have some remodeling done to them once the new facility was
built.
Councilmember Holden wondered if the training facility could be separated for others in the
community to use.
Chief Boehlke said that could be talked about in the design process.
After further discussion, all Councilmembers supported moving forward with the Fire
Department's recommendation.
B. State Fair Parking Review
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated she contacted the State Fair and
they have no changes proposed for Arden Hills park and rides this year. The City had relatively
no complaints about State Fair parking last year and so they propose putting signs in the same
areas this year and the same quantities. They will be laminated signs on wooden stakes.
Ramsey County Sheriff Deputy Otto commented that didn't give out any tickets last year. He
felt it is better to have overkill on the number of signs than to have too few. He said the entire
patrol division will be informed of the locations and other deputies other than those assigned just
to Arden Hills will help patrol.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka said even though Snelling Avenue is
always no parking, they will add some extra signs.
C. Old Snelling Trail and Watermain Project Discussion
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka explained a spread sheet with an overview
of the construction costs for the project. There were 5 large change orders to the contract,
referring to Ramsey County requests for changes to the pavement replacement sections, additional
signage and storm sewer changes. There were also issues with the retaining wall design. Estimated
total costs are 9.5% over the original contract, but there were also some savings in the original
contract amount due to unused materials.
Discussion ensued to clarify the original contract amount versus total contract amount.
D. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update
Bolton & Menk Consultant Planner Kansier said there were three issues to talk about, overall
density of new development and redevelopment, location of those areas and density ranges. In
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — June 17, 2019 3
Thrive MSP 2040 every community was given a community designation, Arden Hills is
designated as a Suburban Community, which tend to be second and third ring communities.
Densities in Suburban Communities should average 5 units per acre. It was determined the main
area of new development would be TCAAP, the rest of the areas would be mainly redevelopment;
these are the Gateway Boulevard area, the Parkshore Drive area, the Red Fox/Gray Fox Road area
and the County Road E area.
Bolton & Menk Consultant Planner Kansier said the overall average density is the number they
need to be concerned with. There are assumptions made based on the land use category. She
explained how the Metropolitan Council comes up with the density requirement for each city,
based on developable acreage, and using the minimum density. She discussed the proposed
changes to the Comprehensive Plan that would bring the minimum density to 5. The main change
is increasing the minimum density in the Community Mixed Use designation to 12 units per acre
and in the Town Center designation to 21 units per acre.
Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla noted that much bigger changes than
what staff are proposing would call for public hearings before they could resubmit the Plan.
After discussion, Council gave staff direction to resubmit the Comprehensive Plan as updated.
E. Council Tracker
City Administrator Perrault and staff reviewed the Council Request Tracker with the City
Council. It was decided to remove 3590 Snelling Avenue N Right of Way Concerns.
Warming House at Hazelnut Park and Horitas Acres were requested to be added to the list.
F. Water
Councilmember Holden said they used to get reports of City water usage and asked if they could
get those numbers again. She was interested in knowing how much water the City is getting, how
much is being used and how much may be wasted.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka noted that Council had approved the water
supply plan and as part of that plan an ordinance about water usage needs to be passed, it will be
coming forward at a future Council meeting.
Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka said Public Works keeps track of water
that gets used for street sweeping, ice rinks, tree watering, jetting of sewer lines, flushing
hydrants, irrigation, etc.
Staff was directed to provide actual usage numbers to the Council.
2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES
Councilmember Scott requested that Council receive the actual letters that are sent for
neighborhood meetings.
Mayor Grant said he'd like to receive the neighborhood meeting notices by mail and email.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — June 17, 2019 4
Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla said he will make sure all
Councilmembers get future neighborhood meeting notices by mail and email.
Councilmember Scott asked if Northern Soda could be incorporated into the All Commissions
and Committees Picnic in July.
Deputy Clerk Trauba replied that Northern Soda had been discussed and they will be
approached to purchase soda from them for the picnic.
City Administrator Perrault noted that Jason Isaacson may be at a future meeting to receive a
certificate of recognition.
City Administrator Perrault stated that Arden Hills Precinct 2 voting place will be moved from
Valentine Hills Elementary to North Heights Lutheran Church.
ADJOURN
Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 7:36 p.m.
I Te Traub David Grant
Deputy Clerk Mayor