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Home My WebLink About11-20-23-SWS & SEC City of Arden Hills ▪1245 West Highway 96 ▪ Arden Hills Minnesota 55112 Phone 651.792.7800 ▪ Fax 651.634.5137 ▪ www.cityofardenhills.org Request for Special City Council Work Session and Special Executive Closed Meeting A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers. Reason for meeting: 1. Public Inquiries/Informational 2. Response to Public Inquiries 3. Agenda Items A. Proposed Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail - Ramsey County Discussion B. Union Negotiations Update (Closed per M.S. 13D.03, Subd. 1(b) and 179A.01 to 179A.25) 4. Council/Staff Comments Adjourn Requested Date: 11/20/2023 Requested time: 6:00 pm Open meeting X Closed meeting X (Union Negotiations) Signature of person(s) making request: 11/16/2023 Mayor or Council Member Date / / Council Member Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: 11/16/2023 Date meeting to be held: 11/20/2023 Time of meeting: 6:00 pm Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. 11/16/2023 Signature of City Clerk Date -A IRPEN_HILLS Approved: December 11, 2023 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION NOVEMBER 20,2023 6:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council Special Worksession at 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Emily Rousseau, Tena Monson and Tom Fabel Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault, Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen, Ramsey County Public Works Director Brian Isaacson, and Ramsey County Commissioner Nicole Frethem 1. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, expressed concern given the fact there was no plan for the stormwater along Lake Johanna Boulevard. He explained he was excited to see a trail being built along Lake Johanna Boulevard,but recommended the City and County have a solid stormwater plan in place for this corridor. He commented on the grit chambers that were already in place,but supported the City and County reengineering how this stormwater was managed before being dumped into the lake. He did not recommend running the stormwater directly into the lake,but rather suggested retention ponds be created on the non-lakeside of Lake Johanna Boulevard. Kristine Poelzer, 1870 Indian Place,reported she lives one block off of Lake Johanna Boulevard. She stated she was concerned with how traffic passes through the intersection of County Road E and Lake Johanna Boulevard. He encouraged the City to find a way to slow traffic down at this intersection. 2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 3. AGENDA ITEMS ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSESSION—NOVEMBER 20, 2023 2 A. Proposed Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail—Ramsey County Discussion City Administrator Perrault stated Ramsey County Public Works Director Brian Isaacson would be presenting this item to the Council. Ramsey County Public Works Director Brian Isaacson stated in 2021, Ramsey County initiated a preliminary design development study for the Lake Johanna Boulevard (LJB) Trail corridor. The report that was completed September 27, 2022 and on May 8, 2023 the City Council adopted Resolution 2023-023 relating to Local Match Commitment for Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail Project: 2024 Met Council Regional Solicitation. It was noted Ramsey County has begun the application process for the Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation Grant program. He provided further information on the project overview detailing the key takeaways, reviewed project plans and explained he was looking for discussion with Arden Hills City Council and City Staff. Councilmember Monson asked if there would be a sidewalk and turf on the southern side. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson reported there would be a sidewalk on one side and a trail on the other. Councilmember Holden recommended the County consider how fast traffic was moving along this corridor and to have proper safety measures in place. Councilmember Monson suggested the roadway width be narrowed to assist with calming traffic. Councilmember Holden questioned if the County had standard shoulder widths. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson stated the County did have different roadway designs. Mayor Grant reported this plan was preliminary and noted the County would continue to take feedback from the City. Councilmember Holden requested the County consider improving safety around the curves in order to slow traffic and to protect pedestrians. Councilmember Fabel asked if the proximity to the lake creates any DNR concerns for this road reconstruction project. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson stated there would be a lot of complications and the County would have to work with the DNR throughout this entire reconstruction project. Councilmember Rousseau questioned if the watershed district would be a stakeholder in this project as well. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSESSION-NOVEMBER 20,2023 3 Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson reported this was the case noting the County would be working with the watershed district along with the DNR when developing this project. He commented further on how the County would work through best practices in order to address the stormwater runoff. Councilmember Monson suggested the pedestrian crossing into the beach be reconsidered. Councilmember Rousseau requested the City and County look into the DNR Regional Trail grant opportunities for this project. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen commented this could be investigated further. Councilmember Holden encouraged the County to consider designing this corridor in a manner that requires less salt and brine, as this would lessen the stormwater impact on the lake. Ramsey County Commissioner Frethem commented on how important it was for the County to manage its water well and stated a comprehensive stormwater management plan would be developed for this project. Councilmember Holden requested the medians be removed from this corridor because they were not well maintained by the County. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson reviewed the project schedule noting the County was working on funding at this time. Ramsey County Commissioner Frethem stated based on several legislative changes the County had legislative action teams that were working to secure additional funding. Councilmember Holden suggested the City look at replacing watermain along this roadway, if repairs or replacement were needed. She anticipated the City would have to come up with another $1 million or more for this work. Mayor Grant stated the project costs were estimated to be somewhere between $9 and $10 million. He asked if inflation had been factored into the project given the fact the project would not be completed until 2028. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson reported the estimates were 2028 numbers. Councilmember Monson questioned if the County would pursue this trail without federal funding. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson stated he did not have an answer to this question. He commented on how the County was working on a comprehensive traffic study and he would have more information once this study was complete. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSESSION-NOVEMBER 20, 2023 4 Councilmember Monson explained this corridor was multi-modal and she wanted to ensure the City and County complete this project in a manner that considers the safety of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Further discussion ensued regarding the grant, state and federal funding that would be pursued by the County. Councilmember Fabel asked if the County could address the roadway design at County Road E. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson explained when he gets into the project design, he would be looking at ways to slow traffic at this intersection. Councilmember Holden recommended the County have numerous pedestrian safety crossing features be built into the corridor near the beach. Mayor Grant questioned how far along the design plans were at this time. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson estimated the design plans were at 5% at this time. Councilmember Monson asked if there was value in having the project further designed when pursuing federal funding. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson reported if the designs were further along, he would have a better understanding of the costs, but noted this does not have an impact on federal funding. Councilmember Rousseau requested a bump out or other safety measures be considered along the corridor in the short term. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson stated temporary measures could be considered such as bollards or striping. Councilmember Holden indicated the City's main concerns were in the spring and summer when there were more pedestrians along the corridor. Councilmember Monson summarized the temporary solutions will be addressed by the County once they have state funding in place and County staff will work with City staff to understand the City's priorities. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson reported this was how he would proceed. Councilmember Fabel recommended the parking along the corridor be reconsidered because there were many places where it was unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel along the corridor. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORKSESSION—NOVEMBER 20,2023 5 Mayor Grant agreed the City could not wait until 2029 to have pedestrian improvements in place along this corridor. Ramsey County Public Works Director Isaacson stated in February or March he could plan to meet with City staff to speak about potential safety measures along the corridor. B. Union Negotiations Update (Closed Per Minnesota Statute 13D.03, Subd. 1(B) and 179A.01 to 179A.25) City Administrator Perrault requested the Council move to a closed session to discuss union negotiations per Minnesota State Statute 13D.03, Subd. 1(b) and 179A.01 to 179A.25 MOTION: Councilmember Rousseau moved and Councilmember Monson seconded a motion to move to a Closed Session meeting. The motion carried(5-0). The Council moved to a closed session at 7:15 p.m. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Special Worksession at 7:45 p.m. J e Hanson David Grant Cjyy Clerk Mayor