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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-10-2020-R -` HILLS Approved: March 9, 2020 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2020 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 Dave McClung Absent: Councilmember Steve Scott (excused) Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Public Works Director/City Engineer Todd Blomstrom; Community Development Manager/City Planner Mike Mrosla; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holmes requested Item 6D be pulled from the Consent Calendar 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 (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL None. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES A. Public Inquiry Response from January 27, 2020 City Council Meeting. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated the City initiated a project feasibility study in September of 2019 to evaluate improvements to Old Snelling Avenue. He stated this ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 10, 2020 2 study was evaluating options for this roadway and the potential for a trail. He commented several issues arose during the feasibility study which impacted the project delivery schedule. He discussed two projects being planned by Ramsey County and explained the County has requested the Old Snelling Avenue project be pushed back to 2022 due to traffic impacts during construction. He then commented on the hydrocarbon odors that were found during the geotechnical portion of the feasibility study. He reported this information was mailed to the resident that brought this inquiry to the City Council. 4. STAFF COMMENTS A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP)and Joint Development Authority(JDA)Update City Administrator Perrault provided an update on TCAAP stating litigation with Ramsey County was ongoing. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-008 Approving Off-Site Gambling for Merrick, Inc. at Flaherty's C. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-009 Approving Agreement for the State Transportation Fund Local Bridge Replacement Program D. Motion to Approve Reseltifien 2020 010 Establishing a Sehoel Zone Speed bi E)a Lake Valentine R-e,� 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 (4-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-010 Establishing a School Zone Speed Limit on Lake Valentine Road Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated in September 2019, the City Council approved a professional services agreement with WSB to complete a traffic study for Mounds View High School. The City and Mounds View School District are conducting this traffic study to address pedestrian safety and traffic concerns along Lake Valentine Road adjacent to the school. The traffic study is anticipated to be completed by March 1, 2020 and presented to the City Council at a future work session. City and school district staff are working with the engineering consultant to expedite completion of the study. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 10, 2020 3 Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported a primary recommendation from the traffic study involves the establishment of a school zone speed limit along Lake Valentine Road due to the current posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour and peak hour pedestrian crossing counts exceeding 250 pedestrians. The consultant recommends implementation of the school zone speed limit at this time as an initial safety measure while additional safety improvements are evaluated and constructed during the 2020 construction season. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained local authorities may establish a school speed limit within a school zone of a public or nonpublic school upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation. This investigation was included within the scope of work for the traffic study awarded to WSB in September 2019. A memo summarizing the findings of the school zone speed limit investigation was reviewed with the Council. The proposed school zone speed limit, the effective hours, and the extent of the school zone are recommended by City staff and Mounds View School District staff. Councilmember Holmes stated she did not object to the 25 mile per hour speed limit near the school. She questioned if there was enough activity at the school throughout the week that the school speed limit should be in place at all times. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom commented this was a valid safety concern. He stated the effectiveness of getting cars to slow down was to create an isolated timeframe when children are present for school arrival and dismissal. He reported a pedestrian traffic signal may be considered in the future, along with reconfiguration to the entrance to the parking lot. Councilmember Holmes discussed how different the traffic was between Valentine Hills Elementary School and the Mounds View High School. She reported the traffic at the high school was all day and at night. Mayor Grant questioned how staff decided on 230 feet to the west and 110 to the east. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained there was guidance in Minnesota State Statute for establishing a school speed zone and the area of pedestrian activity adjacent to the school. Councilmember Holden stated students would need to learn how to cross the street properly with the pedestrian crossing future lights. She anticipated the City could change the school speed zone timeframe in the future if concerns were to arise. Councilmember Holmes believed it made more sense to have the school speed limit in place at all times and not just during arrival and departure times. Councilmember McClung stated he believed the flashing speed signs would be important. He asked who would be paying for the signs based upon the conditions of approval for the school site improvements. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported the school district would be paying for the signs. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 10, 2020 4 Mayor Grant questioned if the school district had provided input on the school speed zone signs. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated the school district reviewed the sign location, the speed limit and the time of day that the speed limit would be enforced. He noted the school district supported all three of staff's recommendations for the school zone speed limit. He commented further on the sign placement noting the 35 mile per hour signs would be moved out of the school zone to reduce confusion. Councilmember Holden reiterated that this was a short-term solution. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported this was the case. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #2020-010 Establishing a School Zone Speed Limit on Lake Valentine Road. The motion carried 3-1 (Councilmember Holmes opposed). 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Cancellation of Summit Development Easement Vacation Public Hearing Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated staff and Summit Development have determined that all required easements have been vacated and that the previously scheduled public hearing is no longer necessary. No further action is required at this time. MOTION: Mayor Grant moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to Cancel the Summit Development Easement Vacation Public Hearing because all required easements have been met. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 9. NEW BUSINESS None. 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember McClung reported he attended the EDC meeting last Wednesday. He noted this group would begin meeting every other month on the 4t" Wednesday of the month. He explained the EDC was seeking input from the City Council on their 2020 work plan. Councilmember Holmes stated on Thursday, February 6 she attended the City's employee recognition event. Mayor Grant commented on the Admin Update and requested staff clarify the information provided to the Council in this document. Mayor Grant requested the Council speak with staff regarding date preferences for the State of the City event. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL— FEBRUARY 10, 2020 5 ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mayor Grant adj urned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:28 m-. Je Hanson David Grant C y Clerk Mayor