Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-23-R�`i DI�EN HILLS Approved: April 24, 2023 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 13, 2023 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, Emily Rousseau, Tom Fabel and Tena Monson Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen; Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; City Attorney Joel Jamnik; and Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Holden requested Items 7D and 7K be pulled from the Consent Agenda for further consideration as Items 8A and 8B. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Councilmember Holden expressed frustration with how the Public Inquiries/Informational portion of the meeting was handled at the February 27 City Council meeting. She questioned why the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office was involved. She requested the Mayor review how public comments would be managed going forward. Mayor Grant explained he attended the February 27 meeting remotely. He was told someone on the City Council asked the Sheriff's Office to enforce the time limit. He reported this will not be ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 2 something he will be request going forward, but rather he would ask speakers to keep their comments to three minutes and would manage this situation with the gavel. Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, explained there was a misunderstanding by some of the citizens about the use of the term "the slate". She reported at the last Council meeting a citizen stood up saying that they found it offensive to call the new Councilmembers "the slate". She stated the phrase "the slate" originated from the new Councilmembers during their campaign. She encouraged the public to visit their website where they ask residents to elect "the full slate" of candidates and that the new candidates were running on a "slate" entitled Advance Arden Hills. She stated Councilmember Monson states in her bio on the City's webpage that Gregg Larson, Emily Rousseau and Tom Fabel were running as a slate. She indicated she was surprised and disappointed that the new Councilmembers did not remind the concerned citizens that they were the ones that originated the term "slate". George Winiecki, 4175 Old Highway 10, explained he has lived on his property for the past 74 years and has watched Arden Hills change over the years. He noted he was not at the January Council meeting, but he had read through the minutes. He indicated at the February meeting he listened to residents express displeasure against the Mayor and Councilmember Holden. He noted he understood where the Mayor and Councilmember Holden stood on the TCAAP property, but he did not know where the new Councilmembers stood on this property. He indicated he would be calling each of the new Councilmembers in order to gather this information. He explained he did not understand why TCAAP was an issue when the City and County signed a document for this development, Ramsey County then sued the City and the City won. He questioned what the problem was. He feared there was some hidden agenda behind this project because it was not moving forward. He commented on how he was impacted by big government (MnDOT) when I- 694 was reconstructed. He encouraged the new City Councilmembers to not believe everything Ramsey County was telling them, but rather they should be doing their due diligence on behalf of the residents of Arden Hills. Donna Wiemann, 1406 Arden View Drive, explained Arden Hills residents would be more financially impacted by the TCAAP development compared to Ramsey County as a whole. She noted Arden Hills residents will shoulder most of the front end costs and City staff will put in the most hours for this project. She reported if TIF was used for this project this will also impact Arden Hills residents. She commented on how Arden Hills residents will be impacted by the traffic that is generated from this project. She asked that Arden Hills residents be involved in the planning of this project because of the impact it will have on the community. She asked that the new City Councilmembers remain transparent throughout the entire planning process. Mary Henry, 3521 Ridgewood Court, reported she read the minutes from the last work session and she supported the City holding open houses for the Rice Creek Commons development. In addition, she suggested a survey be conducted by a consultant of all Arden Hills residents. She feared that not enough residents would attend the open house meetings and the survey would provide the City Council with greater information. Kathy Sukke, 1286 Karth Lake Circle, explained she has lived in Arden Hills for the past 37 years. She thanked Mayor Grant for chairing this meeting in a professional manner. She indicated she was very disturbed by the last Council meeting. She indicated the February 13 Council ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 3 meeting was chaired by Mayor Pro Tem Emily Rousseau and it was disorderly and fraught with confusion. She questioned why Mayor Pro Tem Rousseau found it necessary to call in the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office to manage the public inquiries portion of the meeting, when that was her job as the Mayor Pro Tem. She indicated critics of the slate received less time and those for the slate's agenda received more time. She assumed Mayor Pro Tem Rousseau signaled the officer from her chair with the time. She anticipated if Mayor Pro Tem Rousseau was able to signal an officer, she would be able to use the gavel. She explained she has never seen a fully uniformed officer attending a City Council meeting in order to assist with public inquiries. She anticipated the officer that attended this meeting had more pressing matters in the community they could have been dealing with than to do Mayor Pro Tem Rousseau's bidding. She asked that the new Councilmembers brush up on their civics, and she provided the new Councilmembers with a copy of the Constitution. She reminded the new Councilmembers that law abiding residents have the right to exercise their first amendment right. She then read the first amendment from the Constitution. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 4. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS A. Twin Cities Chamber North Updates John Connelly, President of Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, introduced himself to the Council and thanked them for their time. He explained the vision for the Chamber was to promote business, develop leaders and connect communities. He noted the Chamber currently had just over 300 members from seven different cities. He reported the Chamber had a healthy fund balance with five months reserves and no debt. He encouraged the Council to consider attending an upcoming program or event. He commented on the makeup of the nine member Chamber Board. He then discussed the new initiatives the Chamber was pursuing which included the manufacturing cohort. He commented on the Chamber opportunities noting he enjoyed participating in grand openings, engaging in new initiatives, bringing important items to businesses, and sharing vital news with the community. He thanked Arden Hills for being an inviting City for the community and its businesses. Councilmember Holden encouraged the Chamber to plan an event to celebrate the reopening of Lexington Avenue. Mayor Grant reported the City received $3,500 from Twin Cities Gateway Visitor Bureau and noted these funds were used to assist with a marketing campaign for Lexington Avenue. Mr. Connelly explained the Chamber was planning to celebrate this event and to encourage the public to come back to this corridor. 5. STAFF COMMENTS A. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Update ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL —MARCH 13, 2023 4 City Administrator Perrault reported on March 7 the City Council interviewed two candidates for the JDA Chair and appointed Jonathan Wicklund. He explained Jonathan Wicklund will serve as Chair until December 31, 2024. He noted the JDA advisory group met last week and reaffirmed that meetings of the advisory group would not be public unless a quorum is present, future communication efforts by the JDA will be a joint effort by both the City and the County, and the County is pursuing a legal services agreement with Kennedy & Graven. He noted the JDA advisory group also discussed the possibility of future open houses and public engagement regarding: financing of the project, real estate trends, economic inclusion, and climate policies. Future discussions need to happen as to the timing of the public discussions and engagement. He said that the group also discussed the creation of additional advisory committees, such as an energy committee. Lastly, they discussed the County would be reviewing options on the thumb property and will be seeking guidance from the JDA. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 13, 2023, Regular City Council B. February 21, 2023, City Council Work Session C. March 7, 2023, Special City Council Councilmember Holden reported she spoke with staff regarding minor changes to the minutes of the February 13 regular City Council meeting as well as the February 21 work session. Councilmember Rousseau explained she spoke with staff regarding a minor correction to the February 13 regular City Council meeting minutes. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a motion to approve the February 13, 2023, Regular City Council meeting minutes as amended, the February 21, 2023, City Council Work Session minutes as amended; and March 7, 2023, Special City Council meeting minutes as printed. The motion carried (5-0). 7. CONSENT CALENDAR struck through items below were pulled and will appear under Pulled Consent Items A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion To Approve Resolution 2023-008 Affirming Allocation Of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Revenues C. Motion To Approve Appointment Of Senior Planner D. Motion T Approve D Gr7C„ of Pokey T.d 4e Pertaining To Paid Par -eating Lo u. Language E. Motion To Approve Resolution 2023-009 — State Of MN Bureau Of Criminal Apprehension Joint Powers Agreement And Court Data Services Subscriber Agreement Amendment F. Motion To Approve Resolution 2023-010 Appointing Nancy Jacobson To The Parks, Trails And Recreation Committee (PTRC) G. Motion To Approve Payment No. 1 — Margolis — Tree Planting H. Motion To Approve Payment No. 2—Astech Corp. — Arden Oaks Neighborhood Improvements Project ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 5 I. Motion To Approve Purchase Of 2023 Bobcat Toolcat And Snowblower Attachment J. Motion To Approve Resolution 2023-011 Ordering Preparation Of Feasibility Report — 2024 PMP K. Motion To Approve a Resol„t;.,.-. 2023 012 Relating Bing To No Mew May For- A, --den Hills Residents And Businesses MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as amended and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried (5_0). 8. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS A. Motion To Approve Personnel Policy Update Pertaining To Paid Parenting Leave Language City Administrator Perrault stated the Personnel Committee recently discussed adding Paid Parenting Leave to the City's Personnel Policy. The draft language would allow for eighty hours of paid leave to be provided to parents upon the birth or adoption of a child assuming they met certain criteria. As part of the research for this draft policy change, City Staff looked at what nearby cities offer to set a baseline. Cities vary from offering no Paid Parental Leave to more than the eighty hours being proposed; for example, White Bear Township offers no paid leave, while Vadnais Heights offers up to 200 hours depending on the type of birth and other circumstances. It should be noted that for mothers, they also have available the City paid Short Term Disability insurance, which offers four to six weeks of disability pay upon the birth of a child. When combined with this leave it would offer approximately six to eight weeks of paid leave. Should Council approve this language it will be incorporated into the City's Personnel Policy. Councilmember Holden asked if this change would apply to union employees. City Administrator Perrault reported this policy update would apply to both union and non- union employees. Councilmember Holden questioned if this leave was concurrent with FMLA. City Administrator Perrault stated employees could take this time with FMLA, or after the 12 week period if an employee had PTO saved up. Councilmember Holden inquired if staff received any negative feedback from staff regarding the proposed personnel policy change. City Administrator Perrault explained he did not receive any negative feedback from staff regarding the proposed policy change. Councilmember Monson indicated she was disappointed with this policy and she believed the City could do more. She stated she did not support the proposed policy. She believed the City ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 6 could provide at least six weeks of paid leave. She supported the Council having a conversation around the value of its employees. She asked if the City valued putting money into its employees or did the City value something else. She explained she supported putting pay back into its employees and allowing them to have time with their children. She understood that not every employee may need six weeks, but she wanted to see the City having that as an option for new parents. She understood it was important to have the Public Works Department fully staffed, but she also understood raising families was just as important. She indicated she did not support the policy as is and noted if it were approved, she would be bringing it back for further consideration because she believed the City could do more. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Grant seconded a motion to Approve Personnel Policy Update Pertaining To Paid Parenting Leave Language. Mayor Grant stated he believed it was important for the City to offer its employees paid parental leave. He explained the Personnel Committee reviewed this item and offered their support. Councilmember Fabel reported he spoke with staff regarding the proposed policy and learned that the policy was fair when compared to communities of like size. Mayor Grant agreed this was a fair assessment, noting some communities offered two weeks of paid parental leave, some offered six to eight weeks and some offered none. The motion to Approve Personnel Policy Update Pertaining To Paid Parenting Leave Language carried (5-0). B. Motion To Approve Resolution 2023-012 Relating To No Mow May For Arden Hills Residents And Businesses City Administrator Perrault stated at the February work session, the City Council discussed No Mow May and directed Staff to move forward with bringing forward a resolution for approval that would allow residences and businesses the opportunity to participate. No Mow May is an effort to help protect pollinators during the spring season. He discussed how the City would manage complaints noting properties would have to be brought into compliance by June 10. Councilmember Holden stated she wanted citizens to be aware of No Mow May. She explained Arden Hills was a complaint based City and reported residents would have until June 10 to bring their lawn into compliance. Councilmember Rousseau recommended an article be included in an upcoming City newsletter to provide the public with further information on No Mow May. City Administrator Perrault reported an article has been included in the upcoming March newsletter. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL —MARCH 13, 2023 7 MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a motion to Approve Resolution 2023-012 Relating To No Mow May For Arden Hills Residents And Businesses. The motion carried (5-0). 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 10. NEW BUSINESS None. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Monson thanked Larry Higgins, resident of Arden Hills, for working with her on additional outreach and support to the citizens that live in Arden Manor. She explained she has been working with Mr. Higgins to address playground access within Arden Manor. Councilmember Monson thanked the Public Works Department for allowing her to complete a snow plow ride -along. She noted she would also be conducting a ride -along with the Ramsey County Sheriff's office. Councilmember Monson stated last week she visited the Capitol for Clean Energy Day. She discussed how important clean energy was to the community, noting she would be pushing for the TCAAP project to be net zero. She reported the Council would be discussing a climate action plan for Arden Hills. Councilmember Monson welcomed Jon Wicklund to the JDA and noted she was looking forward working with him. Councilmember Fabel thanked the Public Works Department for their tremendous efforts to clear the city of snow after the recent snow events. Councilmember Holden thanked Councilmember Monson for her efforts to champion climate and environmental issues for Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden asked that staff speak with the Mayor of Shoreview to see if Arden Hills residents could receive a discounted rate for use at their community center. She asked that this be placed on a future work session agenda. Councilmember Holden reminded residents that they are not to plow snow across City or County roads. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 8 Councilmember Holden explained the County filled some of the potholes along New Brighton Road, but not all of the potholes. She asked that staff speak with Ramsey County to ensure the remaining potholes on New Brighton Road are filled and requested information be included in this week's Admin Update. Councilmember Holden supported the City completing a City-wide survey and asked that this item be placed on a work session agenda. Councilmember Holden discussed the communication Alatus had with the City and reviewed the terms from Ramsey County as follows: • Total approved Units: 1,460. County is motivated to a project greater than 1,600 units. • Affordable Housing: 22.5% of total units o 10% of total units at 80AMI or lower (Master Developer provided) o 12.5% at <50% AMI (Master developer, City and County supported) • The County is willing to strategize additional funding to deepen affordable housing units (e.g., to reduce rent to a level that would be affordable at 30% of AMI). • The City will not collect Met Council SAC charges where credits are present. • The County may proceed with construction of the Spine Road. Councilmember Holden reported the City did not receive these terms until January 2023. She stated it was a real shame that this information had not been provided to the City sooner. Councilmember Rousseau explained she also supported the City completing a City-wide survey and discussing this at a future work session. Councilmember Rousseau commented on the items that were discussed by the PTRC at their last meeting. She welcomed Nancy Jacobsen to the PTRC and noted the PTRC still had one open seat. Councilmember Rousseau stated the Planning Commission met on March 8 and discussed two planning cases. She requested the Council add the removal of racial covenants to a future work session. Mayor Grant stated Barr Engineering and Consulting has sent the City a wellhead plan from Shoreview. He reported this plan has to be reviewed and commented on by City Staff. Mayor Grant explained he received a plan review approval request for the watermain at County Road E and Old Snelling from the Department of Health. Mayor Grant requested staff speak with Ramsey County regarding the retaining walls that had deteriorated and needed to be replaced in 2023. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported he had reached out to the County and they reported the project was on hold as of now but they are planning to replace the retaining walls this year. Mayor Grant requested an update on the Met Council water conservation program. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 9 City Administrator Perrault reported funding for this program was through the Legacy Grant Program with the State of Minnesota and this funding ended in 2022. Mayor Grant explained he attended the administrator and city manager meeting this afternoon. He noted the city of Roseville would be making changes to require EV charging stations. Mayor Grant supported the City addressing racial covenants that may be in place in conjunction with Just Deeds. He reported residents may not realize their deeds have certain restrictions in place from many years. He recommended this topic be further addressed at a future work session. Mayor Grant stated the City may need to consider a rental licensing program in the future. Mayor Grant commented on the Ramsey County Sheriff being asked to remove people from the podium at the last meeting. He noted he spoke with the Sheriff's Office and explained this action would not occur at future meeting. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Monson seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:22 p.m. -1 im J. VZY-X J e Traub David Grant D puty City erk Mayor