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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-22-R "ENILLS Approved: February 14, 2022 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 10,2022 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, Steve Scott and David Radziej Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen; City Planner Jessica Jagoe; Planning Consultant Jane Kansier; City Attorney Joel Jamnik; and City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting auenda as presented. The motion carried (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Mary Henry, 3521 Ridgewood Court, she stated by mid-2022 the City would receive $1.25 million in ARPA funds to help residents recover from the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic. She discussed how there was a growing need for low income housing and encouraged the City to consider how to use ARPA funding to encourage more affordable housing in the community. Lynn Diaz, 1143 Ingerson Road, spoke to the Council about housing. She indicated few cities have the opportunity to plan and develop a plot of this size. She encouraged the Council to pursue new and better, instead of more of the same suburban sprawl. She encouraged the Council to consider pursuing more dense and affordable housing within Rice Creek Commons. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 2 Mayor Grant addressed the Council and stated due to COVID numbers it would be reverting to virtual meetings. He discussed how cities and their staff were being impacted by COVID cases. He stated Arden Hills was a small City and was looking to protect its staff. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES A. Public Inquiry Response from December 13, 2021 City Council Meeting City Administrator Perrault provided the Council with a response to the public inquiry that was made at the December 13, 2021 City Council meeting. He responded to the questions that were raised regarding increased housing density on TCAAP, how an increased density would impact the community, and discussed how affordable housing projects were funded. He stated the City representatives continue to hold JDA meetings noting the County has not reengaged and in the County's absence the City has been working with the developer to ensure the City can move forward with the development when needed. 4. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS A. Appointment of David Radziej to City Council—Oath of Office City Clerk Hanson administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed Councilmember David Radziej and welcomed him to the City Council. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Mayor Grant congratulated Councilmember Radziej for being appointed to the City Council and stated he looked forward to serving with him. 5. STAFF COMMENTS None. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 6, 2021, Special City Council B. December 13, 2021, Regular City Council C. December 20, 2021, City Council Work Session D. December 20, 2021, Special City Council Councilmember Holmes explained she spoke with City staff regarding changes to Items F and G to the December 20, 2021 City Council Work Session minutes. City Clerk Hanson confirmed a correction to the December 6, 2021 minutes in which a duplication of verbiage was deleted. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 3 MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the December 6, 2021, Special City Council meeting minutes as amended; the December 13, 2021, Regular City Council meeting minutes as presented; the December 20, 2021, City Council Work Session meeting minutes as amended; and the December 20, 2021, Special City Council meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried (5-0). 7. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item- Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Resolution 2022-001 Relating to the 2022 Organization of the City of Arden Hills C. Motion to Approve Ramsey County Shared Service Agreement for Erosion and Sediment Control Inspections D. Motion to Cancel January 24 and February 28, 2022 City Council Meetings. E. Motion to Accept Resignation of Customer Service Representative F. Motion to Authorize Recruitment of Customer Service Representative G. Motion to Approve Resolution 2022-002 Authorizing No Parking Areas within the Snelling Avenue North Improvement Project H. Motion to Approve Jaycon, LLC Invoice for Spoils and Clean Sand Hauling Costs 1. Motion to Approve Resolution 2022-003 Appointing Shelley Blilie to the Planning Commission J. Motion to Accept Resignation of David Radziej from the Economic Development Commission(EDC) and the Financial Planning and Analysis Commission(FPAC) 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. The motion carried (5-0). 8. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Planning Case 21-028 — Planned Unit Development Amendment — Mounds View Public Schools Planning Consultant Kansier stated at their May 22, 2019, the City Council approved Planning Case 18-014 for a Planned Unit Development with Mounds View Public Schools for Mounds View High School. The approved PUD allowed for several additions to the existing high school, a reconfiguration of the existing parking lot, and the use of the property at 1901 Lake Valentine Road, for parking and other school purposes. The PUD was subsequently amended on April 27, 2020. This amendment added 14 additional conditions to the existing Planned Unit Development to address existing traffic and pedestrian safety issues based on the findings contained within the traffic study report, an evaluation of existing site conditions, and the Planned Unit Development ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 4 Agreement. The terms of the PUD approval require the School District to implement safety improvements on Lake Valentine Road to address traffic and increased pedestrian crossings between the school building and the north parking lot, including installation of turn lanes and other access improvements, trail and sidewalk improvements, pedestrian signal, signage and striping modifications, and drainage and utility improvements. Planning Consultant Kansier reported the Applicant originally proposed two separate phases of traffic and pedestrian safety improvements for Lake Valentine Road. Phase 1 safety improvements, installed in 2020, included installation of a pedestrian traffic signal system, crosswalk markings, temporary painted center median, curb ramps and sidewalk pedestrian routes to the front of the school. Planning Consultant Kansier explained the Phase 2 traffic and pedestrian safety improvements were scheduled for construction in 2021 in order to allow the School District to acquire additional property from the State of Minnesota. This additional property would have allowed the relocation of the west entrance to the north parking lot to align with the drop-off/pick-up lot on the south side of Lake Valentine Road. Additional improvements include construction of a center median at the crosswalk, modifications to the south boundary of the north parking lot, and the construction of dedicated right turn lanes for westbound traffic accessing the east parking lot entrance and for the eastbound traffic accessing the drop-off/pick-up lot. The Applicant worked with the State of Minnesota for nearly two years on purchasing property, but has been unsuccessful in obtaining an easement or acquisition of land. The State indicated they were at least another year out in considering the sale of this land. As a result, the Applicant believes this option is no longer feasible and asked the City Council to consider a revised alignment. The City Council reviewed this issue at their May 17, 2021, workshop. The Council noted the use of the State property is preferred; however, they understand there is no guarantee the school district will be able to purchase that land. Safety is the most important factor. In August, 2021, the City Council approved an extension of the original Phase 2 construction to 2022. Staff provided further comment on the request and recommended the Council hold a public hearing. Councilmember Holden requested further information regarding the number of parking stalls. Mike Tierney, Bolton & Menk, explained he was the civil engineer that designed the north parking lot. He reported that after all of the revisions were made the north lot would have 335 parking spaces. He indicated the parking deficiency was now 77 spaces. Councilmember Holden questioned why the islands were in place. Planning Consultant Kansier indicated the islands assisted with traffic flow, landscaping and relief from the mass of parking pavement. She indicated the Planning Commission supported the islands because it would assist with traffic circulation within the lot. Mr. Tierney reviewed the revised landscaping plan in further detail with the Council. It was noted the plan includes 27 trees. Councilmember Holmes asked if the ADA ramp requirements had been addressed. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 5 Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported the ADA ped ramps were changed within the 100%design plans. Councilmember Scott noted the Council received a comment from a resident this afternoon who stated the vast majority of students were not using the current crosswalk. He stated this was an enforcement issue that would have to be addressed by the City. Councilmember Holden indicated there has been a lot of complaints about parents doing u-turns. She asked if the school district could be required to post a "No U-Turn" sign where parents are exiting the property. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen commented this wasn't something he had considered in the signage plan but he could work with the design team on this. Councilmember Holmes indicated a lot of the parents were making u-turns on Lake Valentine Road going west. She stated the safety of the students at Mounds View High School was not as tight as it could be and she understood not all students were crossing at the crosswalk. Councilmember Holden stated the Council liked to make conditions for approval versus making recommendations to staff or the design team to ensure all concerns from the City were being addressed. She asked if staff had any concerns that should be included in the conditions for approval. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported the school district needs to look at illuminating the northern part of the ped crossing. He explained the school district would be meeting with Xcel to discuss how to add this feature. He stated one more condition could be included to state: The applicant shall enhance lighting at the norther portion of the crosswalk and at the intersections of the driveways. Further discussion ensued regarding the location of the handicap parking stalls. Mayor Grant commented on the size of the parking islands and discussed the number of parking stalls that had been lost due to their size. He anticipated 20 parking stalls could be gained if the size of the islands were adjusted. Mr. Tierney reported this was the case. He stated he had tried to find a balance between the number of parking stalls and the proper amount of green space. Mayor Grant indicated the Council would have to decide if they wanted to have big islands or small islands within this parking lot because this was impacting the number of parking spaces. Councilmember Holden asked what the percentage of parking space was occupied by the parking islands within the plan that accommodated 381 parking stalls. Planning Consultant Kansier stated this was approximately 6%. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 6 Mr. Tierney explained how the plan for 381 parking stalls had been completed with incorrect stall sizes and after making adjustments,parking stalls had been lost. He reported he would like to move forward with the plan that has smaller islands with a total parking count of 335. Councilmember Holden inquired if this plan had been submitted to City staff. Mr. Tierney stated he was uncertain if this updated plan had been submitted to staff. Councilmember Holden questioned how the Council could be asked to proceed with approving plans that it had not received. Paul Aplikowski, Wold Architects, apologized for the confusion. He discussed how plans were submitted to the City at 60% and were then revised after the Planning Commission meeting. He reported the stalls had to be made bigger to meet City requirements. He noted the correct stall count that was being requested was 335. Mayor Grant asked why the stalls were widened. Mr. Tierney indicated this was done to meet City Code requirements. Councilmember Holden questioned what the size was for an average parking stall. Planning Consultant Kansier reported parking stalls are typically 9 feet by 18 feet, but this can vary if the stalls are angled. Councilmember Scott inquired if a section of the parking lot could be designated for compact cars in order to gain a few more parking stalls. Mr. Tierney stated this would help in gaining a few more parking stalls. Councilmember Holden questioned if this item was reviewed by the Planning Commission on January 5. City Administrator Perrault noted the Planning Commission reviewed this matter in December. Councilmember Holden stated she did not support this project moving forward given the fact the Council had not been provided with the proper plans. Councilmember Holmes reported the Planning Commission supported the request moving forward and had no concerns regarding the proposed number of parking spaces, because at the time the parking deficiency was only 31. Mayor Grant asked if there was a representative available from the school district. He questioned how the missing parking stalls would be managed by the school district. Chris Paquette, Director of Operations for the Mounds View School District, stated the proposed numbers were to meet the needs of the building when 100% fully occupied. He reported the ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 7 northeast side of the bus garage parking lot was virtually empty every day of the week. He indicated he would love to get rid of all of the islands in the proposed lot for snow removal purposes, however the districts goal was to have this parking lot and the bus garage be aesthetically pleasing. Councilmember Radziej inquired if only half of the islands could be preserved, noting this could create an additional 25 parking spaces. He recommended the trees still be planted along the roadway. Mr. Tierney anticipated this would be the case and would create more parking spaces. Councilmember Holmes asked if the gas tanks on the property had been removed. Mr. Paquette commented the tanks had not been removed. Councilmember Holmes requested staff speak to the Council regarding what he found about regarding the gas tanks. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated he learned the MPCA submitted a letter and that they have inspected the site. He reported the MPCA created a work plan related to the submitted plans for the school district because contaminated material was found on the property. Mr. Paquette discussed how the school district would have to follow the work plan from the MPCA in order to correct the soil conditions. Councilmember Holden questioned when the contamination would be addressed. Mr. Tierney explained this work would be completed through the earthwork as part of this proj ect. Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 8:27 p.m. Phillip Schmidt, 4057 Fairview Avenue, explained he lived three houses from the high school. He indicated his main concern was if there would be any traffic changes at Fairview Avenue and Lake Valentine Road. He hoped this intersection would remain the same. He expressed concern with the number of u-turns occurring to the west of the school. He asked if the additional parking was necessary to accommodate an expected influx of future students that would be coming to this school from the Rice Creek Commons property. Mayor Grant indicated he was uncertain if the students living within Rice Creek Commons property would go to Irondale High School or Mounds View High School. He anticipated this would be determined at a future date. Mr. Aplikowski reported the future students living within Rice Creek Commons were taken into consideration by the school district within the Planned Unit Development improvements the City ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 8 has approved. He explained Mounds View High School received a net of seven additional classrooms. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported there were no changes planned for the intersection at Fairview Avenue and Lake Valentine Road. Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 8:32 p.m. 10. NEW BUSINESS A. PUD Amendment — Mounds View Public Schools — 1900 and 1901 Lake Valentine Road (PC 21-028) Planning Consultant Kansier stated this item was introduced under Item 9A. Staff offered the following Findings of Fact: 1. The properties located at 1900 and 1901 Lake Valentine Road are located in the R-1 Single Family Residential District. 2. The proposed conditions when implemented will create a safer environment for pedestrian movement across Lake Valentine Road. 3. The proposed roadway improvements will improve traffic flow through the road section adjacent to the school. 4. With the applied conditions, the application is not anticipated to create a negative impact on the immediate area or the community as a whole. 5. The traffic and pedestrian study was reviewed as part of the April 2020 Amended PUD application by City and School District staff. 6. The City and School District staff concur on the proposed conditions and recommended improvements. Planning Consultant Kansier commented further on the request and recommended approval of Planning Case 21-028 for an Amended PUD at 1900 and 1901 Lake Valentine Road as amended by the conditions in the January 10, 2022, based on the findings of fact and submitted plans, and subject to the following conditions: 1. The road construction and realignment as shown on the approved plans must be completed prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year. 2. All other conditions of the original Planned Unit Development and Amended Planned Unit Development shall remain in full force and effect. Mayor Grant requested further information regarding the approval timeline for this project. City Attorney Jamnik reported the 60 day deadline for this item was January 30, 2022. Councilmember Holden commented she would not refigure the parking lot from the bench given the fact the Director of Operations for the Mounds View School District supported the plan with 335 parking spaces. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 9 Mayor Grant supported the parking lot having islands noting this would assist with traffic flow. Planning Consultant Kansier reviewed the revised parking lot plan with the smaller islands with the Council. MOTION: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Radziei seconded a motion to approve Planning Case 21-028 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment for ISD #621, Mounds View High School at 1900 and 1901 Lake Valentine Road based on the Findings of Fact as amended by the two (2) conditions in the January 10,2022 report to the City Council. AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to add Condition 3 to read: City staff will work with the Sheriffs Department and Traffic Engineers to determine the proper location for"No U-Turn" signs. Councilmember Holden asked what would happen if the Sheriff's Department determines no u- turns signs were needed. Mayor Grant questioned if the City was responsible for the signage on this street. City Attorney Jamnik reported this was the case noting the City generally defers to the Traffic Engineers regarding sign location. He indicated the Council could direct the study and sign placement west of Janet Court and east of the west boundary of the property to the extent possible. Councilmember Holmes commented she has seen u-turns taking place on the bridge. Mayor Grant inquired if the motion language should be amended. Councilmember Holden asked if staff had any feedback regarding the language for this motion. She suggested the language be amended to remove the Sheriff's Department noting she would rather see staff make a determination on the sign placement. Councilmember Holmes stated she supported the recommendation to change the language to remove the reference to the Sheriff's Department as proposed by Councilmember Holden. The amended motion was restated as follows: AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to add Condition 3 to read: Developer shall install, or pay for the installation of traffic control shmage prohibiting U-turns on Lake Valentine Road from Janet Court to the western city border, in locations as determined by the City Engineer. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated this language would be appropriate. The amendment carried (5-0). i ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 10 AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to add Condition 4 to read: Removal of existing gas tanks on the site will be completed concurrent with the lot construction and the removal shall be compliant with all MPCA and other legal requirements. Councilmember Holden asked if a deadline should be set for this work to be completed. Mr. Aplikowski explained this work would be done early in the project because it would have to be done prior to the parking lot being paved. The amendment carried (5-0). AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to add Condition 5 to read: Developer shall install ADA compliant directional pedestrian ramps as approved by the City Engineer. Mayor Grant requested further information regarding the proposed pedestrian ramps. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained the specifics of the ADA ped ramp being proposed was a style called directional. He noted this style of ped ramp would direct people to cross in a specific direction. He reported all of the ped ramps would be ADA compliant. Councilmember Scott commented the proposed condition may be redundant. Councilmember Holmes stated she would still like the condition added because the original plan presented to the Planning Commission showed ramps that were not ADA complaint. She indicated this condition would ensure the ramps met all ADA requirements. Mayor Grant supported the condition remaining in place. The amendment carried (5-0). AMENDMENT: Councilmember Holmes moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to add Condition 6 to read: Developer shall provide additional lighting for the crosswalk as approved by the City Engineer. The amendment carried (5-0). The motion to approve Planning Case 21-028 for a Planned Unit Development Amendment for ISD #621, Mounds View High School at 1900 and 1901 Lake Valentine Road based on the Findings of Fact as amended by the two (2) conditions set forth in the January 10, 2022 report to the City Council and the addition of conditions three (3) through six (6) as indicated above carried (5- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 11 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Radziej stated he had been appointed to the City Council to replace Dave McClung and he was honored to help the City move forward. Councilmember Scott welcomed Councilmember Radziej to the City Council. He thanked all of the candidates that applied for the City Council position. He said farewell to the City's Customer Service Representative Sue Johnson. Councilmember Scott discussed the residential fire that occurred in Arden Hills on Saturday, January 8. Councilmember Holmes welcomed Councilmember Radziej to the City Council. She wished Sue Johnson all the best and thanked the Public Works Department for all of their efforts during the recent snow events. Councilmember Holmes thanked the City's block captains for all of their efforts on behalf of the community. Councilmember Holden welcomed Councilmember Radziej to the City Council and thanked all of the individuals that applied for this position. Mayor Grant reported the Council would be holding remote meetings going forward. Mayor Grant thanked all of the residents that applied for the open City Council seat. He explained Arden Hills had very talented and accomplished individuals and he was pleased these individuals were willing to serve. Mayor Grant wished Sue Johnson all the best. Councilmember Holden reported the celebration of life for Councilmember Dave McClung would be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the Bethel Anderson Center at 2 Pine Tree Drive from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried (5-0). ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 10, 2022 12 Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:58 p.m. J 1 Hanson CW Clerk Mayor �t�oT�rti