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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-21-R'It ,-AR�EN HILLS Approved: April 12, 2021 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 22, 2021 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, 2020 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, Dave McClung and Steve Scott Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Interim Public Works Director David Swearingen; and City Clerk Julie Hanson; via telephone Steve Schneider, St. Paul Regional Water Services 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 (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 4. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS A. St. Paul Regional Water Services Presentation ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 22, 2021 2 Steve Schneider, St. Paul Regional Water Services, thanked the Council for its time. He discussed the new McCarrons Water Treatment Plant, noting this was where all water was treated. He explained this treatment plant was constructed in the mid-1910's and additions were completed in the 1930's and 1950's. He reported much of the infrastructure was nearly 100 years old and still produces excellent water quality. He stated in 2014 the Board of Water Commission requested an asset inventory and a 30 year CIP. He explained this led to plans for the rehabilitation and replacement of the McCarrons Water Treatment Plant. He discussed how the project would improve capacity to handle containment of emerging concerns, along with improving reliability while also reducing the footprint of the plant. Further discussion ensued regarding the preliminary scope for the water treatment plant project along with the public outreach that would be completed. He commented on how the plant improvements would impact residential and wholesale water rates. It was noted there would not be a disruption in water services throughout the entirety of this project. Councilmember Holden questioned why St. Paul had not considered using bonds to finance this project. She requested further information on how the water rates would increase after completion of the new water treatment plant. Mr. Schneider explained the financing for the project would be subsidized by the Environmental Protection Agency and would come at an interest rate of 1 %. He discussed how the rates would be impacted by the new water treatment plant. Councilmember Scott stated he has lived all over the country and parts of the world where water quality was an issue. He indicated he appreciated the access he had to high quality drinking water. He questioned if the treatment with ozone would reduce the level of chloramines in the water. Mr. Schneider described how the ozonation would improve the water quality by breaking down the carbon particles in the water and would also reduce the chlorination in the water. He noted the water taste would not change. He further discussed the security that would be in place to protect the water treatment system. Councilmember Holmes explained she toured the facility off of Rice Street and stated it was fascinating. She commented further on the proposed rate increase for water customers. Mr. Schneider discussed the estimated water rates that would be in place after the new water treatment plant was completed. Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Schneider for his presentation to the City Council. 5. STAFF COMMENTS 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 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 22, 2021 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 encouraged all residents to monitor the State's rollout of the COWD-19 vaccine as eligibility requirements can change. He stated another round of federal stimulus has been approved and further information will be brought to the Council regarding this funding at a future meeting. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 8, 2021, Special City Council Executive Session (Closed) B. March 8, 2021, Regular City Council MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the March 8, 2021, Special City Council Executive Session (Closed) meeting minutes; and March 8, 2021, Regular City Council meeting minutes as amended. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 7. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve City Administrator Three -Year Performance Evaluation C. Motion to Approve Resolution 2021-015 Recommending the City of Coon Rapids Award the 2021 Street Maintenance Program D. Motion to Approve Proposal for Construction Materials Testing Services with Braun Intertec — 2021 PMP Street & Utility Improvements 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 was taken. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 8. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities City Administrator Perrault stated water customers whose accounts are 90 days past due were informed that the City intends to certify delinquent charges to Ramsey County to be collected with property taxes. These customers have the right to a hearing in front of the City Council to discuss this matter prior to certification. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 22, 2021 4 With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:44 p.m. 10. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution 2021-016, Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities City Administrator Perrault stated delinquent utility amounts are certified to Ramsey County quarterly. A list of utility accounts with a delinquent balance was compiled and notices dated February 12, 2021 were mailed. These customers were informed of their delinquent status and were asked to make payment of the delinquent balance by March 12, 2021. Utility accounts with an unpaid delinquent balance would be certified to Ramsey County to be added to property taxes payable in 2022. The certification amount is equal to the unpaid delinquent balance plus an eight percent penalty. The City will request that Ramsey County levy the delinquent balances against the respective properties. Councilmember Scott discussed a comment he received from an Arden Hills resident. City Administrator Perrault explained this individual was not on this list and and the resident may address the Council with their concerns at a future meeting. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-016 — Adopting and Confirming Quarterly Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (5-0). B. Request for Proposals (RFP) for Preparation of a Feasibility Report — Arden Oaks Street Improvements Project Interim Public Works Director Swearingen stated the 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies proposed street and utility improvements within the Arden Oaks area for 2022. The value shown in the above budgeted amount included Eide Circle, Indian Circle and Indian Place. Those streets were rehabilitated in 2020 as part of the Public Works In-house paving project so they have been removed. The proposed area now consists of Arden Oaks Drive and Arden Oaks Court which includes approximately 40 single family homes and is generally referred to as the Arden Oaks Neighborhood. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen explained the City Council work session on March 15, 2021 included discussion of the anticipated scope of work, schedule and an initial estimate of costs for potential improvements within the project area. Based on this discussion, the feasibility study will include an evaluation of potential improvements to streets and storm sewers. The study will review alternatives for street and drainage designs to determine the extent that the cost of street improvements, and the associated special assessments, can be reduced based on existing soil conditions and drainage needs within the residential neighborhood. Staff commented further on the scope of the work and recommended approval of the request for RFP's. Councilmember Holden asked if the City had to request RFP's for this project. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 22, 2021 5 Interim Public Works Director Swearingen stated staff would prefer this project to go out to RFP given its size. Councilmember Holmes thanked staff for the additional information provided for this project. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to Authorizing Request for Proposals for the preparation of a feasibility report of the Arden Oaks Street Improvements project. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (5-0). 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Holmes stated she appreciated the presentation from Mr. Schneider on the new St. Paul water treatment plan. Councilmember Holden asked how the City handles severely wounded deer in residential yards. City Administrator Perrault explained Ramsey County handles animal control for the City. He noted it is animal control's policy that if the animal flees they let it be, otherwise they will deal with living animals that are injured or otherwise unable to move. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to adjourn. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:56 p.m. Juli Hanson City Clerk David Grant Mayor