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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 02-25-2002 . . . ~ ~~HILLS MEETING MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2002, 7:30 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and noticc thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:05 p.m. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers David Grant, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rem. Absent: Councilmember Beverly Aplikowski. Also present were City Administrator, Joc Lynch; City Accountant, Terrance Post; City Planner, Aaron Parrish; Interim Public Works Dircctor and Parks & Recreation Director, Thomas Moore; and Recording Secretary, Nancy Czajkowski. APPROY AL OF MEETING AGENDA Councilmember Rem requested the Worksession Minutes be deleted from the Agenda. MOTIO:\f: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the February 25, 2002, regular City Council meeting, as amended. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). APPRO V AL OF .vllNUTES A. January 22, 2002 Worksession B. January 28,2002 Regular City Council Mecting Councilmember Rem requested the following changes to January 28, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting minutes: 1. On page 9, the motion to adjoum has to be completed. 2. On page 9, in the last sentencc, replace "March 11,2002", with "February 11, 2002". Councilmember Larson rcquested the following changes to the January 28,2002 Regular City Council Mccting minutes: . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING \1INUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 2 1. On page 6, in the third paragraph, in the first sentence, Councilmember Larson had asked about the City's response to the Fire Department. 2. On page 6, in the second paragraph from the bottom, in the third sentence, delete "that he sh-esses that". 3. On page 7, in the sixth paragraph, in the second sentcnce, replace "that he why" with "that was why". Councilmember Grant requested the following changes to the Jannary 28, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting minutes: I. On pagc 4, in the ninth paragraph, directly above the motion, replace "his conncctions" to "previous indirect ties". 2. On page 6, in the fIrst paragraph, replace the first sentence with "Councilmember Grant noted thc importance of appointing a Maintenance Facility Task Force". 3. On page 6, in the Erst paragraph, in the second sentence, rcplace "they were" with "thc Mayor was". 4. On page 6, in thc first paragraph, in the third sentence, insert "Connty" before "process". Mayor Probst reqnested the foJJowing changes to the January 28,2002 Regular City Council Meeting minutes: I. On page 7, in the third paragraph, in the Erst sentence, in the second line, replace "but" with "or"_ 2. On page 7, in the third paragraph, replace the last sentence with "Hc stated his concern that the Fire Departmcnt was building an expectation that thcy could not keep up." 3. On page 9, in the fourth paragraph, replace the fourth sentence with "Hc stated they discussed an agreement about Ardcn Hills." 4. On pagc 9, in the fourth paragraph, in the third from the last sentence, replacc "they" with "Arden Hills". 5. On page 9, in the fourth paragraph, rcplace the second to the last sentence with "He added there was a nced to take formal action." MOTION: Councilmember Rcm moved and Councihnemher Larson seconded a motion to approve the Januaty 28,2002 Regular Council Meeting minutes as corrccted above. The motion canied unanimously (4-0). . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 3 CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll B. Resolution #02- J 5 Accepting the Adequacy of the Environmental Assessmcnt Worksheet for the Gateway Business Center C. Regular Full Time Employee Status City Planncr Aaron Parrish D. Probationary Appointment of Cynthia Young to Deputy Clerk Position and Probationary Appointment of Sandra Byl to CSRll Position E. PTRC appointments F. Contract Services payment request #3. G. Architectural AlJiancc invoices H. Public Works Purchase ofa Replacement I Ton Truck 1. Parks & Recreation Purchase of a Replaccment Pickup Truck J. Parks & Recreation Purchasc of a Replacement Toro Groundmaster Mayor Probst requested Agenda Item 4E be pulled from the Consent Calendar and moved to Agenda Item 6B for discussion on how to make such appointments in the future. MOTlO:\f: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant scconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, as amended and authorize execution of all necessary documcnts contained therein. Thc motion carried unanimously (4-0). PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Probst invited those present to come fOf\vard and address the CounciJ on any items not already on the agenda. 1\0 public comments werc made. CNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution #02-16 St.lVIary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church Charitable Gambling Premises Permit Renewal at Pot O'Gold Bingo Hall Mr. Post cxplained the Agenda had a mistake. He stated this item should be listed as St. Mary's Romania.tl Orthodox Church. He noted this organization has givcn generously to many lawful purchase expendi tures in trade areas. He added that while some organizations give $200 to $500 here and there, this one gives significant contributions. He stated Mr. Frank Belgis is in the audience this evening to answer any questions. Mr. Belgis stated he had nothing to add except that they enjoyed doing business out there and are happy to continue. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY C01.;~CIL MEETTKG MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 4 MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 02-16, Resolution approving St. Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church Charitable Gambling Premises Pem1it Renewal Application at Pot O'Gold Bingo Hall as recommended by Staff. The motion canied unanimously (4-0). B. PTRC Appointments Mayor Probst stated he had no objection to the appointments. He noted his belief that this appointment would take the Commission to nine members. He added that although he does not disagree with that numbcr, thc previous City Council had seven members on this Commission. lIe stated he wanted to make sure the City Council knew where it was headed. Councilmcmber Grant statcd he did not think the size of this body was detennined by city ordina.t1ce. Mayor Probst concurrcd. He stated it is a decision of the City Council. Councilmember Larson stated it is great that they had additional persons that wanted to serve on this Commission. He noted his conccrn that they have Committees begging for pmiicipation and other ones with plenty of applicants. He questioned whether any of these appointments expressed interest in serving on any other committees. )'lr. Lynch responded not to his knowledge. MOTI01\: Conl1cilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve the PTRC appointments, effective immediately. The motion carried unanimonsly (4-0). AD""nNISTRATOR COMMENTS Mr. Lynch explained his memo regarding the health care facility revenue refunding note and housing facility revenue note. He stated unfOliunatc1y, there was no language between Presbyterian Homes and the bank regarding penalty payments. He noted the bank has requested an amendment to the language to allow for such penalty payments. He added staff recommends the amendment to the notes approving a penalty. Mayor Probst asked ifthere were other changes. Mr. Lynch responded there werc none. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to adopt and approve the execution of an amendment note to the Health Care Facility RevellLle Refunding Note, Series 2001 A, and Housing Facility Revenue J\otc 2001B as requested. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mr. Lynch noted the Mayor's birthday was tonight. Hc added the City's website is getting requests for links that mayor may not be city business. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 5 Mr. Lynch stated he had received a faxed copy of the legal opinion from Mr. Filla regarding the City's jurisdiction in the Xcelmattcr. He noted Mr. Filla had changed his mind on the opinion based on li,lrther discussions. He added that based on thc statutory definitions of right of way, it is interpreted to be where the City has jurisdiction. He stated he would provide a copy orthc opllllOn. Mayor Probst asked that assLlming the City Attorney's position does not change, did the City Council wish to pursue this matter any further. He stated they had discussed a letter or telephone call regarding the City Council's indignation over this matter. He noted his personal opinion would be not to let this pass without offering some official commentary on the very poor way this was handled. Couneilmember Larson stated he shared the Mayor's lrustrations. He noted there is even greater frnstration when there is no avenue to challenge these actions. He added they still need to let Xce1 know it needs to talk to the City. lIe stated maybe there is no legal obligation, but there is one as a good neighbor. He noted Xcelneeds to have a good relationship with the City conceming the power lines in the City of Arden Hills. Councilmember Grant stated a letter expressing their opinion is appropriate. He requested an opportunity for thc City Council to review it at a worksession before it is sent. COlll1cilmember Rem stated she agrccd it would have been better had Xcel come to the City prior to making these decisions. She noted that if the legal opinion is that Xcel did what it was required to do, it gives the City less reason to say Xcel was out of bounds. She added she agreed with a letter noting Xcel should have given the City council the courtesy of an opportunity to comment. Councilmember Grant stated Xcc1 obtained a county pemlit because it is a county road. He noted his recommendation to send a letter also to the county. He added this letter would request that the County cncourage Xcel to contact the communities involved in the future when requesting such a pemlit. Mayor Probst stated he would work with Mr. Lynch on the letters. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Grant stated there would be a meeting with Mr. Moore and the Chair of the Maintcnancc Task Force this Wednesday. He notcd that during that mceting, they would sct up a time for first meeting of the task forcc. He added he urged that it be done quickly since the County continues to movc quickly on this matter. Councilmember Larson statcd he had noted in the non-agcnda packet a mission statement as a potential item. He noted this should be a high priority on the agenda. He added the Councilmembers should all do their homework in advance. ARDEN HILLS CITY COU"lCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 6 . Councilmember Larson stated he was amazed to read Representative Krinkie's proposal to drop residence inspections. He asked if Rcpresentative Krinkie had made any contact with thc City. Mr. Lynch responded a rcprcsentative of the City of Goldcn Valley called today about this issue due to their concern. Councilmember Larson statcd it baffled him that Reprcscntative Krinkie would propose this without discussing it with the cities affected in his constituency. He noted it is a terrible idea. He added he hoped it does not end up being cnacted in the house. Mayor Probst stated it was on his list of questions. Hc asked if the City Council wanted to go on record opposing this and have it delivered to Representative Krinkic. He stated it would rcquest that Representative Krinkie withdraw the support for his proposal. Councilmember Rem asked for clmification. Mr. Lynch responded it would create a systcm that is not accountable to anyone. He stated it would be beneficial for the City to come out in opposition to it. MOTION: Councilmember Larson movcd and Councilmembcr Rem seconded a motion to authorize staffto mcmorialize the City of Arden Hill's opposition to the legislation introduced by Representative Krinkie eliminating city Building Inspectors in the state ofMinncsota. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). . Councilmember Larson statcd he had noted that the City Platmer had moved out of his probationary pcriod and into full time status. Hc noted he and thc rcst of the City Council feels that Mr. Parrish is doing a good job for the City. He added this is not only on planning issues, but also on other issues relatcd to technology in the City. Councilmember Rem stated the Newsletter Committee would meet \Vednesday morning. She noted that in the CUlTent draft the first page is on City Hall. She added the last page focuscs on April 20, 2002. She read the agenda. She statcd that perhaps it would be a good timc to get the City's Web site Task Force back together to ha.tldle these rcquests. Mayor Probst statcd the Metropolitan Council continues to roll out its blue print for 2030. He noted he encourage anyone who was available to attend thc meetings and to participate. Mayor Probst asked staff to meet with the Presidcnt of Bethel CoJJegc and the new president of Northwestern Collage. He staled they have had an opportunity to meet with the Bcthel President previously. He asked staff to find out what the schools are doing and to report back to the City Council at the March I, 2002 meeting. . Mayor Probst stated he had received a proposal from Ramsey County and the schools regarding the Dare program. He asked if this needed to be discussed. Mr. Lynch responded it is a $10,000 expcnditurc to thc City currently. He stated the proposal is from the school district. He noted there would be no additional cost. Hc added they would do away with the uniform officers. He stated it is a change in philosophy. He noted there is an upcoming county meeting if the City Council wanted him to express an opinion. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUKCIL MEETING MTNUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 7 . Mayor Probst stated that as long as the change was revenue neutral he had no real opinion on the matter. Mayor Probst explained he would give a further update on the TCAAP issucs. lIe stated he did have a call from Ms. Link. He noted he did not have an opportunity to retum that call. Hc added one other party remains very interested. He added he had indicated that the City is still on track to make a decision by the end of March. He stated he did not know if othcrs had been contacted or have an interest beyond these folks. Mayor Probst stated that concerning the TCAAP meeting this evening he would have to confess to being a bit discouraged with the conversation. He noted it was not ncarly as positive as the previous meeting. He added he did not know ifit was because something was in writing. He stated it is clear the City would have strong support from the surrounding communities. He noted it is not clear, where the enviromnental groups would be on this issuc. He added it is clear they have more work to do there. Councilmcmber Rcm statcd it seemed clear to her that one person speaking on behalf on the environmental group wanted to see specific acrcagc and designations on this land for public use. She noted the resolution seemed too vague to them as drafted. She added that it could be it was thc first timc that they saw something in writing. She stated people wanted more specifics. . Councilmember Grant stated the represcntative from Representative McCollum's orficc wanted more specilics. He noted thc resolution was not intended to be legislation, but just a show of support from the surrounding communities. He added that once it is complcte they could move forward on legislation. He slated that is not clear to all the parties. Hc noted that over the ncxt few weeks he thinks that all thc units that review it would approve it. He added the environmentalist wanted to save open space. He stated the advocate was present and wanted to attach a certain nunlber of acres to a spccific use. He noted that to get down to that level of detail would bog down the proccss. He added some felt that way while others wanted more details. He stated more discussions are wananted. He statcd it is important that a member of the City Council appear at each meeting. Mayor Probst stated he came away somewhat frustrated. He noted that when they go into the right level of detail there are already accusations. He added some fccl that the Mill's plan is the City's plan. He stated the City had no involvement in the Mill's plan. He noted hc does not know how to get past that viewpoint. He added therc are concems about prcserving features and open space. He stated there is somc clear work to do. He noted he is at a loss on how to solve somc of thcsc issues. Councilmcmber Larson stated the Vento plan was among the packet materials. Hc noted it had a map accompanying it showing as far as it could what was intended. He added they could includc . the number of acres in the resolution. Mayor Probst stated those were inclllded in an attachment. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETlKG MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 8 Councilmember Rem stated there was discussion that some people got only thc text and not the attachmcnts. Shc noted that perhaps recapping the acreage would be a good solution. Mayor Probst stated that at this point he would suggest they do nothing further unless requested. He noted the resolution was just a starting point. He addcd he had only requested the parties not make unachicvable conditions part of their support so as to stop the program. Councilmember Larson stated that perhaps the City should adopt the resolution as it is now. He notcd that ifthc cl1vironnlental groups are not agrccable they should just go forward with thc cities. Mayor Probst stated one suggestion is to go back and atDend actions already taken by the National Guard. He added that perhaps the National Guard should now be included into the discussions. He stated the National Guard is the other entity that has some degree of control. Councilmember Rem stated it might be useful since some questions revolved around the cleanup. She noted they could have somebody [rom the Army EP A to answer some of those questions. She added there might have bcen more of a comfort level if everyone had received a copy ofthc attachments. Mr. Lynch stated the cities received the full package. Hc noted other represcntatives got just thc resolution. He added this was based on staff's undcrstanding that they would wait until there was an undcrstanding that all of them would support the City's position. Councilmember Larson statcd that this week the Lakc Johanna Benefit Association Board of Trustces would be meeting. He noted the city is on that Board. He added he previously brought infoffilation on the fire department benefits of surrounding cities. He stated he feels they should not sLlpport the proposcd twenty-five percent incrcase. He noted the fire department has three pcrcent increases each year atId AlJiant Tech funds. He added his belief that the other cities feel it is not the correct time to make this increase. Mayor Probst concurred. He stated they looked at this information at the last meeting. He noted his concern that an expectation is being built. He added the expectations would be that when the contract goes away, then the cities would fund at that level. He stated this would set the stage for a day of reckoning. Coullcilmembers Rem and Grant concurred. ,-- . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETlKG MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2002 9 ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Rem seconded a motion to adjou 1 the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion canied unanimously (5-0). "lJ i iV~ "C~J~ B("mlis Pro Mayor NOTICE OF MEETINGS -;1 'v~~:.~~;>>t0~-~:_),::.-(r,1//, / c ...-- .-1/~" u Joe,iLy:tlc 1 Cj.ty Administrator ./ The next Council Meeting win be held Monday, March 11, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at the ArdeD Hins Council chambcrs.