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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-13-2002 . . . ~ ~~ILLS MEETING MINUTES . ~.. -_._-_._~. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2002, 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 --~ -.. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:08 p.m. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Council Members Beverly Aplikowski, David Grant, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rem. Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Joe Lynch; City Planner, Aaron Panish; Operations and Maintenance Director, Tom Moore; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. APPROY AL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Larson seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the May 13,2002, regular City Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROY AL OF MINUTES a. March 18, 2002 City Council Work Session b, April 8, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting c. April 29, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13,2002 2 . Council Member Rem requested the following changes: On the April 29, 2002 City Council Meeting Minutes, Page 1, Motion under the Approval of the meeting agenda should to be adopt the agenda for the April 29, 2002 meeting. Page 3, last paragraph, add a sentence at the end to read: The lot predated the City's existence and before park dedication fees were required to be paid, Page 6, second paragraph, change Krerr to Krenn. Page 11, first paragraph to read: "Council Member Rem stated she understood on a previous proiect, the residents were in favor of a 28-foot street and due to the cost difference, she would recommend it staying as it was. However, she stated if these residents wanted to retain the wider street, she would agree to do this." . Council Member Grant requested the following changes: On the April 29, 2002 City Council Meeting Minutes, Page 8, second paragraph, second sentence should read: "He stated the number of full-time equivalent children would drive what they approved. Mr. Parrish stated the number of full-time equivalent children at anyone particular time,.,"; On the April 8, 2002 City Council Meeting Minutes, Page 2, last paragraph, to read: "Council Member Grant asked about the Joliet, Illinois property, and whether or not it involved an early transfer process". Page 3, 4th paragraph, ",., the large scale retail format or the smaller retails." Page 11, second paragraph to read: "Council Member Grant stated, relative to TCAAP, we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. However. at this point. they did not know,. ." Mayor Probst requested the following changes: On the April 8, 2002 City Council Meeting Minutes, Page 2, the representative from Faegre and Benson was Walter Rockenstein. April 29, 2002 City Council Meeting Minutes, Page 4, 8th paragraph, should read, "Mayor Probst offered the following friendly amendment: The basis for deviating from the park dedication standard in this instance was because this was a reconstituted lot and as a previously existing lot, would have been excluded from consideration were it not consolidated. MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Rem seconded a motion to approve the March 28,2002 City Council Work Session; April 8, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting; and April 29, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting as amended, The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13,2002 3 CONSENT CALENDAR a. Claims and Payroll b. Proposal to Install Interior Comer Guards - City Hall c. Proposal for Emergency 200kW Generator for City Hall Council Member Grant requested Consent Agenda Item b. Proposal to Install Interior Comer Guards - City Hall be moved to 6.c under Unfinished Business. Item c. Council Member Rem questioned the cost ofthe Emergency 200kW Generator that was not to exceed $35,000,00 per prior Council's direction, and whether or not the trailer was included, Mr. Moore replied the trailer was included in the cost and the previous estimate that they had discussed did not include quick connect adaptors or sales tax. He stated the box also needed to be wired by an electrician, which could bring the cost up to approximately $40,000.00. Council Member Aplikowski inquired about screening for the generator. Mayor Probst stated the generator would not be sitting at the City Hall all of the time and would only be used in an emergency and therefore did not need to be screened. Council Member Larson questioned the fact that 48 other cities did not have this type of a generator. Mr. Moore replied most Cities had installed permanent generators that were on site and were not portable, He stated this generator was a unique and large piece of equipment that would run all of the City Hall. MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Rem seconded a motion to approve the items a. and c. of the Consent Agenda contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Probst invited those present to come forward and address the Council on any items not already on the agenda, No one was present for public comments. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13,2002 4 . UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Case 02-06: Pilgrim House-Special Use Permit City Planner Parrish eXplained the applicant was requesting an amendment to their existing Special Use Permit to allow a daycare facility at Pilgrim House, He indicated this item was being reconsidered from the April 29, 2002 meeting of the City Council after Council referred this back to the Planning Commission for additional consideration, At the May 1, 2002 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission recommended approval of the revised Special Use Permit. MOTION: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve Planning Case 02-06, Pilgrim House _ Special Use Permit allowing a daycare facility with the five conditions as noted in the staff report. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). B. 2002 Metropolitan Council Opportunity Grant Resolution 02-20 . Me Parrish presented a draft grant application for the Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Demonstration Account Opportunity Grant Program. He indicated the particular grant request was for master planning assistance for the TCAAP property in the amount of $1 00,000. Mayor Probst stated he believed this was a good idea and was in favor of this grant application. Council Member Rem stated she understood the development partner would be paying for this and was surprised they were asking the Metropolitan Council for money for this assistance. Mr. Parrish replied there was vast scope associated with the planning process and the resources associated with it and while the developer had agreed to pay for some costs, there may be many add-on items that the developer might not be willing to pay for. . Council Member Aplikowski asked if this grant would tie the City to the Metropolitan Council Livable Community more so that they would have been anyway. Mr. Pan-ish replied the Metropolitan Council could be invited into the process and work with them on an ongoing basis, or they could invite themselves into the process, He indicated the Metropolitan Council had the authority to take --- . . . - ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13,2002 5 additional regulatory authority over this type of process by designating the site as regionally significant. Council Member Grant stated he was also surprised about the City seeking this grant. He stated he understood the developer would incur this cost. He asked who directed this. Mr. Lynch replied Mr. Parrish approached him regarding applying for funding and he asked Mr. Parrish to obtain the information. He stated the developer did expect the City to have some money on the table and staff thought they would first attempt this route to attempt to obtain funding from the Metropolitan CounciL Council Member Larson stated whoever came up with the idea of this should be commended, He indicated this would help the City with the preparation for planning to develop the land. He stated the developer was not out to do the City a favor, and the City needed its own resources to participate in this project. He stated this was a great idea and it gave them the funding and the independence to do this without relying on the developer for funding. He stated the alternative was that the City taxpayer money be spent, and he believed they should obtain funding from the Metropolitan Council. He indicated he believed this was a significant project regionally and wanted to obtain the Metropolitan Co unci I' s assistance with this. Council Member Rem asked what the long-term implications would be if they obtained this grant. She stated the Metropolitan Council was not going to give the City something for nothing either. She indicated she did agree going to the Metropolitan Council for funding for the planning process, but to her it would make more sense if it was put into the framework as to what the City had just committed to in terms of working with the developer. Mr. Parrish replied this grant application process was directed by deadlines, He indicated the Metropolitan Council would be making a decision in July. Otherwise, they would need to wait until next year to submit another a grant request. Council Member Aplikowski stated her concern was if money was going to be pooled with the developer's money, but if the City kept it separate and if this helped the City with the planning process, she thought this would be a good way to proceed. Council Member Grant stated Metropolitan Council money was tax money and they had a developer who would come forward for this funding, it seemed to him . . . - ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MA Y 13,2002 6 that they should be working on the development agreement first and then go for the funding, not the other way around. He stated this would tie them closer with the Metropolitan Council. He stated they had not discussed the City's vision, had any public input, or had any discussions with the developer. Mr. Lynch stated staff felt the City should be in charge of the planning process and therefore, the City should participate in funding that process. He stated if the City did not have the funds, they would be tied to what the developer wanted. He stated this would ensure that the City had their visions met, and not those of the developer. He stated the City should be in control of the planning process. Mayor Probst stated they should not be disillusioned that the developer would pay for all costs involved, and he felt it was necessary that the City had some money also to obtain what they wanted. He stated this was going to be a very, very expensive project. He urged the Council's support of this proposal. Council Member Grant expressed concern about the order in which they were proceeding. MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Larson seconded a motion to authorize Resolution 02-20 the 2002 Metropolitan Council Opporttmity Grant. The motion calTied unanimously (5-0). C. Proposal to Install Interior Corner Guards - City Hall Mr. Lynch stated the City Hall was built without comer guards, He stated staff had noticed that the daily wear and tear of normal workday duties had taken a toll on the interior corners of City Hall. He indicated staff was recommending that the type of corner guards in City Hall be stainless steel at a cost not to exceed $1,600,00, Council Member Grant asked staffs thoughts on why the remaining 29 corner guards being recommended for installation in 2003. He believed it would be worth the City's to do all of it at this time, Mr. Lynch replied they were mainly concerned with the main level, particularly the staff area and getting the corners done at this time. Mr. Moore stated it was staffs . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY ]3, 2002 7 feeling to take care of main level where most of the daily wear and tear was. He stated the upper and lower levels had received some damage, but not enough to justify corner guards at this time. Mayor Probst stated he had a tour of the City Hall tonight, and he would like to see the corner guards used on a limited basis. He stated some amount of money could he authorized at this meeting with staff installing them as appropriate. Council Member Grant asked if some of the comer guards would not be needed. Mr. Moore replied they might not need corner guards upstairs at this time. MOTION: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Rem seconded a motion to authorize the purchase of Interior Comer Guards for City Hall as submitted. Council Member Aplikowski requested a friendly amendment to state "only as needed". Council Member Grant accepted Council Member Aplikowski's friendly amendment. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS A. Operations and Maintenance Emplovee Replacement Hire The City Administrator Lynch explained a current Operations and Maintenance employee announced he would be leaving the City at the end of October, 2002. He stated staff thought this would be a good opportunity to hire a replacement employee before the departure of another. He summarized the advantages of hiring someone at this time. Mayor Probst stated he believed a 60-day process would be better than a 90-day process. Council Member Aplikowski stated they were really looking at having additional help for the summer. Mr. Moore replied the summer season was a very busy time and to get this extra person out on the street would be very he]pful. He indicated this was going to be a very busy summer for the City. . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13,2002 8 Council Member Grant agreed with the 60-days advance time period. Council Member Aplikowski stated she understood they wanted to get someone on staff as soon as possible because they needed the help, Mr. Moore replied they would hire temporary seasonal help, but seasonal help typically did the turf maintenance, not street repairs MOTTON: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Aplikowski seconded a motion to authorize the City Administrator to begin the hiring process for replacement of one Operations and Maintenance employee, with a 60 day overlap period for training and to return to the City Council with a recommendation for hire, The motion carried unanimously (5-0), COUNCIL COMMENTS Council Member Grant stated School District #621 was being very strict about the 2 mile busing limit, and reminded the residents that there was a deadline for applying for busing. Council Member Grant inquired about the installation of the blinds for the Council Chambers. Mr. Lynch replied they did not 1mow when the blinds were scheduled to be installed. The lead time for the product is twelve weeks, Council Member Grant stated the Maintenance Task Force would be meeting on May 15 at 7:00 P,lll. Council Member Grant requested clarification from the City Administrator regarding a letter received from Rehbein, Council Member Larson stated the flower garden sites were going to be planted this weekend and they were meeting at the Holiday Inn at 9:00 a.lll. Council Member Larson commended staff on the conclusion of the labor agreement. . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13, 2002 9 Council Member Larson asked that Rehbein be cautioned that this was a partnership, and the City should review any future press releases and work with the City. Council Member Larson stated he believed the Council made two decisions that were not good decisions at the last Council meeting, one being the reduced park dedication fee, the other was the Pavement Management Program Plan. He indicated he could not find any good justification for what the Council did with respect to this fee, He believed the COLmcil made the wrong decision regarding this. He indicated the second decision was the widening of the street and the street reconstruction project, and the decision to proceed with a more costly street width He noted he thought Council had already discussed this type of an issue and had reached a previous conclusion as to how they were going to reconstruct the City's streets, He believed Council made a bad decision regarding this project also. Council Member Aplikowski indicated she did agree with Council Member Larson and suggested that the Council as a group do some dialogue about amending motions. She stated she would welcome amendments to motions made. Council Member Aplikowski stated the Events Committee was meeting this Thursday, May 16, 2002, Council Member Rem updated Council on the Northwest Youth and Family Services Board meeting. She stated the Northwest Youth and Family Services is involved in a summer bike ride on June 30 and a 50's theme party on October 25t\ stating both events would be fundraisers, Mayor Probst updated Council on the phosphorus fertilizer issue and asked if the City wanted to adopt something on its own. After discussion, Council directed staff to put something together for the next Council meeting to start the process. RECESS Mayor Probst recessed the Regular City Council meeting at 8:50 p.m. . . . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 13,2002 10 EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive Session convened at 8:50 p.m. MOTION: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Aplikowski seconded to approve the 2002 Union Contract, as presented and to authorize the City Administrator to execute all necessary documents on behalf of the City. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Council directed the City Administrator to investigate the correspondence received from Mr. Terry Post and report back the City Council with any information and recommendation for action. Council Member Larson moved and Council Member Rem seconded to adjourn the Council meeting at 9:12 p,m. the motion carried unanimously (5-0). ~k Dennis Probst Mayor ~~ Joe Lynch City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Arden Hills Council chambers.