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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-2020-R EN HILLS Approved: December 14, 2020 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS,MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 9,2020 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. Note: On March 20`" the Mayor signed a determination allowing Councilmembers to participate in City Council meetings via telephone pursuant to State Statute 13D.021 Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Steve Scott Absent: Councilmember Dave McClung (excused) Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Public Works Director/City Engineer Todd Blomstrom and Finance Director Gayle Bauman; present via telephone: Community Development Manager/City Planner Mike Mrosla; City Clerk Julie Hanson and Kyle Axtell,Rice Creek Watershed District PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously(4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 4. STAFF COMMENTS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 9, 2020 2 A. COVID-19 Update City Administrator Perrault provided the Council with an update on how the City was responding to COVID-19. He encouraged residents to visit the City's website for the most current and up to date information regarding COVID-19. He reported the Minnesota Department of Health and CDC also had websites with current guidelines and recommendations. He explained the City of Arden Hills remains in a peacetime state of emergency and City Hall will remain closed until further notice. He indicated City staff remains operational and can be reached via phone or email. He reported Ramsey County recently announced a program that would assist landlords during COVID-19. Landlords were encouraged to contact Ramsey County for further information. B. Transportation Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom provided the Council with an update on the I- 35W MNPASS project. He explained the County Road D ramps and County Road I bridge have been reopened. He noted the contractor was finishing work for the season and would begin the third and final construction year in the spring of 2021. Councilmember Holmes asked if the different routes on I-35W would remain in place this winter. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated these routes would remain in place through the winter. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom also noted that the transportation updates provided at the regular City Council meetings would be suspended until the spring. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Acknowledge the Application of Catholic United Financial for an Exempt Permit to Conduct a Raffle with the Drawing Being on March 11, 2021, With No Waiting Period C. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-053 Designating Polling Places for the 2021 State Primary and State General Election D. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-054 Approving a Premise Permit Application for Minnesota Fastpitch Academy Foundation for Charitable Gambling at Northern Lights Bingo Hall at 3776 Connelly Avenue E. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-055 Authorizing Application for Recycling SCORE Grant Funds from Ramsey County for 2021 F. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-056 Allocating CARES Act Funds for Public Safety Payroll Costs i ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 9, 2020 G. Motion to Approve ESRI Small Local Government Cloud-Based Enterprise Agreement and GIS Migration Assistance from WSB & Associates H. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-057 Indicating the City of Arden Hills' Intent to Withdraw from the Super Rink Agreement I. Motion to Approve Resolution 2020-058 Accepting Donation from the Arden Hil s Foundation for Neighborhood Watch Signs MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. A roll call vote w s taken. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 9. NEW BUSINESS None, 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Resolution 2020-051 To Conduct Drainage Proceedings for Ramsey County Ditch Number 4 Under Watershed Law MS 103D (Rice Creek Watershed District) Public Works Director/City Engineer stated on October 19, 2020, the City Council reviewed a request from the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) for the City's consent to conduct drainage proceedings for Ramsey County Ditches 2, 4 and 5 under the Watershed Law. The Council directed staff to place the RCWD's requested resolution on the City Council agenda for October 26, 2020. The resolution was tabled during the October 26 Council meeting with direction to modify the text to limit the City's consent to the currently proposed project along Ramsey County Ditch No. 4. Public Works Director/City Engineer explained the RCWD is currently developing plans for improvements to Ramsey County Ditch No. 4 (RCD 4) to convert a section of open channel ditch to piped storm sewer between County Road C and Terrace Drive. The proposed improvements would address bank failures, erosion and sediment being transported downstream into Oasis Pond, Little Johanna Lake, and Lake Johanna. Public Works Director/City Engineer reported the Rice Creek Watershed District is requesting concurrence from the City of Arden Hills to conduct the necessary proceedings for the project in accordance with the Watershed Law (Minnesota Statute 103D) rather than the Drainage Code ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 9, 2020 4 (Minnesota Statute 103E). Kyle Axtell, project manager for the Rice Creek Watershed District, will be available at the City Council meeting to provide a presentation for the requested City concurrence. Kyle Axtell, Rice Creek Watershed District representative, provided the Council with a presentation on Ramsey County Ditch #4 which was located in the southern portion of Arden Hills. He explained much of Arden Hills drains through the Lake Johanna outlet channel north and west to Long Lake. He reviewed the area of the City that drains to Ramsey County Ditch #4. He commented on the basis of the RCWD request noting Ramsey County was responsible for managing and maintaining the 103E systems on behalf of the landowners who originally paid for the system. He described the assessment system that could be used for this project. Further discussion ensued regarding Watershed Law which grants the RCWD authority to undertake drainage system proceedings under 103D, rather than 103E, subject to concurrence by cities and towns within the drainage area of the system. He noted this facilitates flexibility for RCWD to finance repair work on its drainage systems and spreads charges across all parcels within a systems sub-watershed. He described why the Ditch #4 project was important now. He reported the new pipe would eliminate major sources of erosion, sediment, nutrients and trash. The project costs were reviewed with the Council and it was noted the City of Arden Hills would be responsible for $267 and the average charge to Arden Hills properties would be $25 to $75. He asked that the Arden Hills City Council adopt a Resolution consenting to the RCWD's request to conduct proceedings for Ditch#4 under Minnesota Statute Chapter 103D. Councilmember Scott questioned who the taxing authority is and how long the properties would have to pay off their assessment. Mr. Axtell reported the watershed district was the taxing authority and the assessments would be collected through Ramsey County. He noted the assessments less than $300 were considered one year charges and would be collected in 2021. Councilmember Holden asked how these residents would be notified of the assessment. Mr. Axtell explained the watershed district has notification requirements. He reported for this project notifications have been sent to property owners that were within the Ramsey County Ditch #4 project area. He stated a public hearing occurred earlier this year. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #2020-051 — To Conduct Drainage Proceedings for Ramsey County Ditch Number 4 Under Watershed Law MS 103D (Rice Creek Watershed District). Councilmember Holmes thanked staff for revising the Resolution to be more specific to this project. She stated she would be able to support the Resolution at this time. Mayor Grant agreed stating he appreciated the fact the Council now had a full understanding of the project being proposed by the Rice Creek Watershed District. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 9, 2020 5 A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (4-0). 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Scott reported Wednesday, November 11 was Veterans Day. He thanked all veterans in the community for their service. Councilmember Scott congratulated Councilmember Holden and Councilmember McClung on their successful reelection to the City Council. Councilmember Scott thanked all of the poll workers for making the recent election a success. Councilmember Scott reported the Ramsey County League of Local Government would be hosting their Annual Meeting on Friday, December 4 at 7:30 a.m. It was noted this would be a virtual meeting and the guest speaker would be David Schultz. Councilmember Scott thanked the Arden Hills Foundation for the new Neighborhood Watch signs. Councilmember Holmes thanked the Arden Hills Foundation for their generous donation. Councilmember Holmes stated the City sent out an alert on October 28 that had to do with the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). She noted this was a Department of Defense organization that has resident volunteers. She indicated this group has been dormant for a while. She suggested a member of the City Council serve on the RAB. She stated she was willing to serve on this group. Mayor Grant recommended the Council discuss the RAB at an upcoming work session. Councilmember Holden thanked the election judges for their service during the recent election. Councilmember Holden commented on the Administrative Report and the number of data practices requests. Mayor Grant congratulated Councilmember Holden and Councilmember McClung on their reelections. He thanked all of the election judges for their service to the City of Arden Hills during the recent election. Mayor Grant noted he met with residents from Edgewater. Mayor Grant asked if staff had spoken to neighboring agencies to see if they would be able to provide mutual aid this winter during major snow events if COVID cases were to increase within Arden Hills staff. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported he had not had this conversation but noted Arden Hills was a member of the Minnesota Public Works Mutual Aid PAC as well as ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 9, 2020 6 Shoreview and other communities. He stated the City had the foundation in place to share resources. Mayor Grant thanked the Arden Hills Foundation for their generous donation of the Neighborhood Watch signs. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to adiourn. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried 3-0-1 (Councilmember Holmes abstained). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:37 p.m. a"*-yj Julie Hanson David Grant City Clerk Mayor