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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-21-R Approved: June 14, 2021 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 10, 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 20th, 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; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; and City Clerk Julie Hanson 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 (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Amy Sopcinski, 1400 Arden View Drive, explained she lives in a townhome off of Hamline Avenue. She requested assistance from the City with her utility bill dated October 6, 2020. She reported her bill was for $944.11, which was a $700 increase from the last seven quarterly bills she received. She indicated she called the City after receiving the bill and has since had her water meter replaced. She commented she was at a loss as to why her water bill was so high for that one quarter. She noted she lives alone with an adult son and works seven days a week. She commented she did not have a hose for outdoor watering. She explained if there was a problem in her townhome unit, the January and April bills should have been off. She discussed the readings that came from her meter last summer and requested assistance from the City for the October bill. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MAY 10, 2021 2 Mayor Grant reported the City Council would be discussing water meters at the May 17, 2021 worksession. He encouraged Ms. Sopcinski to listen in on this meeting and noted staff would be getting back to her. Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, stated that he understood the City would be moving forward with this work but was disappointed that an investment would not be made in a trail along Snelling Avenue. He expressed concern for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists that would be forced to use the shoulder as a trail. He reported the Council could have directed staff to resurface the roadway with 11 foot wide lanes, a shoulder of no more than four feet on one side and 14 feet on the other side to be used as a trail. He indicated this would have limited the cost for the project, with the understanding this portion of roadway may have to be removed from the City’s MSA designation. Mayor Grant requested staff prepare a response to the Public Inquiries for the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting, which was May 24, 2021. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES A. Public Inquiry Response from April 26, 2021 City Council Meeting – Water Bill and Meter Finance Director Bauman stated the landlord and tenants at 3182 Cleveland Avenue North are disputing the water bill from first quarter 2021. She explained the landlord contacted the City the week of April 12, 2021 after receiving a copy of the first quarter bill. She noted the water consumption does appear high. She indicated staff does not know what caused the high usage, but this can be attributed to a running toilet or a faulty water softener. She stated water leaks are the responsibility of the homeowner. She noted leak letters are sent out by the City as a courtesy to homeowners. She indicated this property did not receive a leak letter in December because the water usage was intermittent. Regardless of whether or not a leak letter was sent, she reported the homeowner was responsible for the water that ran through the meter. Staff reviewed the water usage in further detail and requested direction from the Council on how to address this matter. Mayor Grant reported the Council would be addressing water meter concerns at the May 17, 2021 worksession. 4. 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 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 read the governor’s latest guidance on COVID-19 mitigation measures as he will be gradually rolling back restrictions over the next several months. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MAY 10, 2021 3 B. Transportation Update Interim Public Works Director Swearingen provided the Council with an update on the I-35 MNPASS project. He discussed the lane changes that would occur around Highway 10 in order to allow bridge work to be completed. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. April 19, 2021, City Council Work Session B. April 26, 2021, Special City Council Work Session C. April 26, 2021, Regular City Council D. April 29, 2021, Special City Council Councilmember Holmes reported she had two minor changes to the April 19th worksession minutes and these changes were provided to the City Clerk. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the April 19, 2021, City Council Worksession minutes as amended, the April 26, 2021, Special City Council Worksession minutes, April 26, 2021, Regular City Council meeting minutes; and the April 29, 2021, Special City Council meeting minutes as printed. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried (5-0). 6. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Professional Services Agreement for Construction Engineering Services with HR Green – Hamline Avenue Crosswalks and Shorewood Drive Drainage Improvements Project C. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2021-027 Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids – Lift Station No. 10 Rehabilitation Project D. Motion to Approve 2021 Public Works In-House Paving Project E. Motion to Approve Joint Defense Agreement with WSB and Associates F. Motion to Accept Resignation of James Lambeth from Planning Commission 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 (5-0). 7. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL _ MAY IO,2O2I 4 9. NEW BUSINESS None. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Scott stated he had a conversation with Dana Healy of NineNorth. He understood NineNorth would be producing a program on the 34ft Infantry. He was looking forward to seeing this presentation. Councilmember Holmes thanked Planning Commissioner James Lambeth for his service to the community. Councilmember Holden requested staff provide the Council with information on the water bills and water meters prior to the May 17 ,2021 worksession. Mayor Grant stated this afternoon he attended a meeting with neighboring cities and City Administrators to discuss development occurring in the community. Mayor Grant reported he would be attending the Ramsey County 9l I Dispatch Committee meeting on Tuesduy, May 11,2021. Mayor Grant thanked Planning Commissioner James Lambeth for his service to the City ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adiourn. A roll call vote taken. The motion carried (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at7:27 p.m. il*,1,U^*\ J Hanson David Grant MayorCity Clerk