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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-21-RApproved: August 9, 2021 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 9, 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. Present: Absent: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Fran Holmes, Dave McClung (attending remotely), and Steve Scott Councilmember Brenda Holden (excused). Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Interim Public Works Director David Swearingen; Senior Planner Jessica Jagoe; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holmes requested Item 7G be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion as Item 8A. MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Scott seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried ( 4-0). 2.PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, discussed the public inquiry section of the Council agenda and questioned why items on the agenda were not allowed to be addressed unless there was a formal public hearing. 3.RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 4.PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 9, 2021 2 A. Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau Presentation Allen Stauffacher, Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau, provided the Council with an update from his organization. He discussed the amount of tourism that occurs in the State of Minnesota each year noting 17% of all Minnesota sales tax comes from the tourism industry. He described what happens when more people come to town and how the economy is positively impacted. The TCG strategic objectives were reviewed with the Council. He commented on how sporting events at the NSC and the surrounding area has driven hotel reservations this summer and reviewed the events the TCG member cities would be hosting in the month of August. He reported TCG spends more money on marketing their member cities than any other visitors' bureau in Minnesota. Natalie Conrad, Twin Cities Gateway Visitors Bureau, commented further on the market and communication efforts for TCG. It was noted all marketing efforts were led by the organization's strategic goals. She reported it was crucial for her to have the organizations website up to date. She commented further on how social media and marketing analytics are utilized by her organization. She indicated she was just beginning to reenter the meetings and events market post COVID. Joshua Clark, Regional Director of Sales for Hawkeye Hotels, introduced himself to the Council and noted he owned six properties in the twin cities, one being the Spring Hill Suites in Arden Hills. He spoke to the importance of how the CVB assists him in getting rooms rented in his hotels which allows him to keep paying his staff full time. Mayor Grant discussed the economics of the hotel industry and noted it was similar to the airline industry and asked how hotels break even. Mr. Clark explained opening a new hotel was all about market awareness and the overall hotel industry. He commented further on how he supported TCG. Councilmember Holmes questioned what the cost was to be a part of TCG. Mr. Clark commented there is no cost to the City of Arden Hills. Rather, 3% of all lodging taxes are collected by hotels from visitors and this is passed along to TCG. Councilmember Holmes requested further information regarding TCG's branding. Mr. Stauffacher explained the meaning behind "Gateway" was that the cities involved in the visitors' bureau were the gateway into the Twin Cities. Councilmember Scott asked if people were able to find the new Spring Hill & Suites hotel for the Back to the 50's event. Mr. Clark stated he did have people that found his hotel and actually rebooked for 2022. He anticipated that as more people became aware of this new hotel, room rentals would continue to increase. Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Stauffacher for his presentation. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 9, 2021 3 5. STAFF COMMENTS A. Transportation Update Interim Public Works Director Swearingen reported the 2021 PMP project was about half complete. He noted the utility work throughout the entire project area was completed. He explained Gerald Avenue and Prior Avenue would be graded this week, following the driveway and curb construction. He stated this project was moving along per the schedule but would disrupt traffic during typical working hours. He indicated residents within the project area would continue to receive newsletters throughout construction. In addition, up to date information was available on the project page on the City's website. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen stated the Hamline crosswalk project was almost complete. He noted the crosswalk stripes were installed today. He reported there were several ADA matters that would have to be corrected by the contractor. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 12, 2021, Special City Council Work Session B. July 12, 2021, Regular City Council Councilmember Holmes reported she had discussed with the City Clerk with a minor change to the July 12, 2021 Special City Council Work Session minutes. MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Scott seconded a motion to approve the July 12, 2021, Special City Council Work Session meeting minutes; and July 12, 2021, Regular City Council meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried (4-0). 7. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Amendment to Urban Requalification Joint Cooperation Agreement C. Motion to Approve New Tobacco License— Cub Discount Liquor, 3715 Lexington Avenue North D. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2021-043 Approving Charitable Gambling License for Spring Lake Park Lions at Welsch's Big Ten Tavern E. Motion to Approve Changer Order No. 8 and Final Payment—Northwest Asphalt, Inc. —2018 Street and Utility Improvements Project F. Motion to Approve Payment No. 1 — Pember Companies — 2021 Concrete Improvements Project H. Motion to Approve Payment No. 2—C&L Excavating, inc. —2021 PMP Street and Utility Improvement Project ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 9, 2021 4 MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Scott seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended, removing Item 7G, and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried (4-0). 8. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Motion to Approve Resolution 2021-044 Receiving Feasibility Report and Calling for Public Hearing on Improvements — Lexington Avenue Reconstruction Project(Traffic Signal at Target Road) Councilmember Holmes stated she spoke with Interim Public Works Director Swearingen regarding this matter. She understood this matter was on a tight timeline. She discussed the concerns she had within the feasibility report which had to do with the number of signals along Lexington Avenue and that these signals should be synchronized. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen reported Ramsey County was responsible for the maintenance and operation of this roadway. He explained operation included the signals. Councilmember Holmes commented further on the benefitting properties from this project. She questioned if the properties to the south of the new development would be part of this project. She recommended this be clarified within the feasibility report. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen stated the decision for assessments does not have to be made during the feasibility report phase. He indicated the feasibility report analyzes all options for the City. It was noted there were two options available to the City at this time and the option that would move forward for this project would be determined at the assessment hearing. Councilmember Holmes explained she would like more clarity on this project. Councilmember McClung commented he agreed with Councilmember Holmes. He recalled the County previously discussing synching all of the lights along Lexington Avenue from 1-694 to County Road E. He recommended the City get some clarification from the County that the lights will be synced. If this doesn't happen, this stretch of roadway could become a mess. He believed it was important that the City put a tagline within this report that Option 1 and Option 2 will be determined at the assessment hearing. He questioned when the assessment hearing would be held. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen stated the assessment hearing would be held in September of 2022. Councilmember McClung recommended staff speak with the developer of Lexington Station Phase 3 to see if they want to be a part of this project. Mayor Grant recalled that the City guaranteed this intersection would be done and Lexington Station Phase 3 could pay for that. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 9, 2021 5 MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution No. #2021-044 Receiving Feasibility Report and Calling for Public Hearing on Improvements — Lexington Avenue Reconstruction Proiect (Traffic Signal at Target Road). The motion carried ffiL 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 10. NEW BUSINESS None. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember McClung stated Night to Unite was held last week and noted he was able to attend two small parties. Councilmember Scott reported he attended eight Night to Unite parties last week. He explained the Ramsey County Parks was holding several public comment forums in order to take public comment on the future of their parks. Councilmember Holmes stated on July 29, 2021 she attended a neighborhood meeting at North Heights Church. She indicated the church was looking at building an apartment complex and the neighbors were invited to share their comments and concerns. Councilmember Holmes reported on August 6, 2021 she attended the grand opening for the new Crumbl Cookies. Councilmember Holmes indicated she attended a number of Night to Unite parties with a Ramsey County Deputy. She thanked the Public Works Department for having vehicles available for the public to view that evening. She discussed the comments she received from the public regarding the lights along County Road E2. Councilmember Holmes reported the City was considering lowering the speed limit in Arden Hills' neighborhoods to 25 miles per hour. She noted the Ramsey County Deputy was very supportive of this change. Mayor Grant explained he attended the neighborhood meeting at North Heights Church on July 29, 2021 as well. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 9, 2021 6 Mayor Grant reported he was unable to attend any Night to Unite events due to a COVID concern. Mayor Grant stated he attended the Crumbles Cookie grand opening and encouraged residents to visit this new business at the Lexington Station. Mayor Grant commented he was looking for feedback from the Council regarding Perry Park and the need for a charcoal receptacle. He indicated this park also has no charcoal grills. He then discussed the trash receptacle situation at Perry Park and Cummings Park, stating they were in need of covers in order to keep critters out. He reported the Foundation was looking at purchasing a dual grill along with a coal receptacle and eight garbage receptacles. He indicated these purchases would assist in upgrading the experience at Perry Park and Cummings Park. He asked if the City Council would support these park upgrades. The Council supported these purchases. Councilmember Holmes thanked the Foundation for their assistance with these park upgrades. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Scott seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried (4-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:06 p.m. J Jul' Hanson David Grant Ci Clerk Mayor