Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-20-2002 . ~ ~~HILLS MEETING MINUTES Approved June 24, 2002 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, MAY 20, 2002, 4:45 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Probst callcd the meeting to order at 4:5] p.m. Present: Council Members Beverly Aplikowski, David Grant, Lois Rem, and Gregg Larson, . Also present: Administrator, Joe Lynch; Operations and Maintenance Director, Tom Moore; City Planner, Aaron Parrish, City Accountant, Terry Post; Recreation Program Supervisor Michelle Olson; City Engineer, Greg Brown; and Deputy Clerk, Cynthia Young. School District #621 Transportation Discussion Mayor Probst introduced Mounds View School District #621 School Board Member Barb Bollum, and School Board Chair Dr. Jan Witthuhn, Ms, Bollum reported that of the current budget cutting in the district, most cuts are occurring in areas other than directly in the class room, She stated class sizes are already large. She noted that of three community meetings relating to with transportation and extra curricular activities, 30 teaching positions and building support staff cuts were made. She explained, regarding the recent bus controversy, the district is allowed by law to charge a fee to anyone who lives further than two miles from schools. Ms, Bollum said the response at the community meetings was, a) Increase class . sizes or do something concerning transportation because it did not affect class size, . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 2 b) Limit the number of roads which have hazardous crossings, c) Students who have to cross where there are entrances to major roadways wi]] be bussed. She said the transportation department would send out letters to residents that week as to whether they are in or out of the 2-mile limit. Council Member Grant expressed his concern for the lack of bussing more students. Council Member Larson said although this policy does put the City Council at a disadvantage, the safety issue is paramount. Ms. Bo]]um said the clear fact in this matter is there is no funding, and the trade- offis increasing class sizes. Council Member Aplikowski asked what the current class sizes were, and if crossing guards were being utilized, Ms, Bollum said the high school averages were 36-39 students per class, middle school 30-35, and elementary was 20-29, Accountant Post asked if Community Education programs could provide some funding, to which Ms. Bollum replied, "No," Council Member Grant said other cities had adopted this 2-mile walk, but Arden Hills does not have any sidewalks, which ultimately puts kids on the street and at risk. Council Member Larson asked if there had there been discussion of closing any schools, Dr, Witthuhn replied that because neighborhoods were spread out all over, the district was locating offices in schools, and the result was to maximize space, and not close a school. Council Member Grant indicated he heard that Mounds View High School could have provided 200 more parking spots. He stated with the lack of bussing, there would be an increase of parking on City Streets. . I. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 3 Dr. Witthuhn said this issue is a growing challenge with a less sense of common good that is becoming more and more difficult, every year with the constant criticism from the Taxpayers League. Council Member Aplikowski expressed her concern regarding schools funding special services such providing an excess oflanguage instructors. Dr. Witthuhn and Ms. Bollum urged the City Council to keep abreast of related events through the media and invited the Council to attend any pertinent meetings, TCAAP - GSA Mayor Probst introduced John Kelly (Washington D,C,), Ralph Connor (Boston), and Bill Burney, (Department of Army), program managers from GSA, Mayor Probst said the focus is on the early transfer of authority, Mr. Burney said one big change since the last meeting is that the Anny has resolved the issue of the 276 acres, which, when transfen-ed out of government ownership, a wan-anty is issued. He noted any early transfer demands a clean-up schedule, stating this does not mean Army is relieved of its liability, He explained that special legislation is not going to get the property transfen-ed to Arden Hills any sooner. Mr. Connor asked what steps Arden Hills need to take to get approval for this process, He said delays are most always tied to the environmental commission. He explained the question is can you have development occur simultaneously with clean-up. Mayor Probst said the vision for city is to run a parallel path and work the transfer process along in 24 months, if possible. He said the City would like to bring along the community with some degree of confidence, Mr. Connor noted the City is off to a great start by working with a master developer. The Mayor asked if a formal request was recommended at this point. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 4 Mr. Kelly said once the property is handed over to GSA, GSA will do screening with civilian agencies, then cities and townships can lay claim to the sites. Council Member Larson asked iflegislation dictated the level of clean-up, Mr. Connor said there was not enough money to clean-up the site to pristine levels, and generally, the government will clean-up to commercial level. Mr. Kelly said the issue the government is dealing with is the government can clean-up this property and make the most advantageous plan in the shortest amount of time, and whether the it is valuable to bring a third party in on the clean-up. Council Member Grant inquired if a well-articulated plan would secure the City's development rights, Mr. Kelly said yes, a well defined plan with an overlay is desirable, but keep it as one parcel, with no disjointed land issues. He noted many agencies are not interested in developing land that is not pristine. Council Member Larson asked ifthere is any residual liability, Mr. Burnes said, yes, the government is always responsible for what it did, but the City would be responsible for contamination subsequent to development. Mr. Connors said the government ultimately responsible, and insurance can be an issue, but the more the variables can be defined, cities can be insured against that. Mr. Kelly stated the Department ofthe Army is determining that this property is no longer of any need with the Next being site characterization, as early as 30 days from now. He said after a staging plan is presented, a 60-day public body screening would occur. Within 120 days, the City could begin serious negotiations with the government. 2.A Indykiewicz Parcel Discussion Broker Rob Davidson said he had been working with Arden Hills for several years, noting this is a very challenging site, coming to the general conclusion that the appraisal is f1awed, . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 5 Mayor Probst askcd what the likelihood is for this property. Mr. Davidson said, "As it sits right now, thc short-term for retail is dismal and he did not see it happening. This site is not going to support a large office use." Planner Parrish asked, from a marketing perspective, what uses will work on this site. Mr. Davidson suggested convenience store/gas/sandwich may be an appropriate retail use, further stating this is a very limited market site. Mr. Post asked how the use would change the value of the site. Mr. Davidson said retail use would support the appraised value, but clearly any upgrade to the neighborhood would hold a positive impact on the site, although short term retail on the site will not work. . Council Member Larson asked what Mr. Davidson's strategy would be? . Mr. Davidson said development on the end of W, Round Lake Road mayor may not impact in an appreciable way, He said he understood the convenience store idea is not acceptable, noting an office use on the site could occur because of a good value on the land, The fact that the bridge is going to be repaired and the high power lines could cause an issue, stating again, this is a very challenging site. Mayor Probst suggested further discussion with Chesapeake regarding this site. 1-694 Desil!n Guidelines Planner Parrish said anything outside the presented manLlal and the cost sharing element is available for review, 2.B Finance Department Mr. Post requested City Council comments concerning the Capitol Improvement Plans he had submitted in his report. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 6 . Administrator Lynch said the tanker truck funding should continue, and regarding the Operations and Maintenance video camera, he was hearing that the City should be more aggressive with this approach. Planner Parrish said it could be as early as March, at a minimum, assessment of our current water quality. The Mayor asked what the consequences would be. Planner Parrish suggested some permits may be withheld. Mr. Moore said, regarding the video camera -staff received notice today of another claim, and said the City does not have the proper equipment, and without it, the problem is becoming unmanageable. In response to the League of Minnesota Cities, the City cannot justify that they are managing and maintaining the City's system. He explained that a "predator" is a cutting tool which will allow the City to be self-contained. . Council Member Larson asked how many surrounding communities have this equipment. Mr. Moore stated all surrounding communities own this equipment. Mayor Probst said the issue is not just the cost of camera, but training cost involved and staffing issues, as well. Mr. Moore said URS would review the films with City personnel, therefore the City will do the work, eliminating the "middle-man", Council Member Larson said he was comfortable with the camera purchase, especially because other communities have also made this investment, but he was not comfortable with the purchase of a new truck at this time, Mr. Moore explained that the current vehicle had a host of problems including the brakes are not correct, the gauges are malfunctioning, but that he still can make the current truck run, . Council Member Grant inquired about the all season plow, . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 7 Mr. Moore said this equipment could clear all trails, brush-clean all trails, and clear-cut trails in one trip. Mr. Post said the recreation fund/long term balance continues to shrink. Mayor Probst said it might be helpful to have an annual summary by each department. Council Member Larson suggested a range of fee increases for recreation programs in order to compensate for what is not being subsidized by charitable gambling, Ms, Olson said she had made overall cuts where she can. Council Member Larson suggested funding half of recreation out of the "general fund." Mayor Probst suggested a line item on the budget for expenditures for maximum levy increase. Engineers Report Regarding Hunters Court and Waldon Place, Council Member Larson said he was wondering if taking on two neighborhoods is too much to take on at one time, Engineer Greg Brown said should to invest in some neighborhoods in order to keep up with the needs. Mr. Post said the City should address the notification early on for the 2004 PMP. Council Member Rem asked for more information to neighborhoods be forthcoming stating timing on these projects is uppermost. Mayor Probst suggested a reasonable level of expenditure by full reconstruction of streets and mill/overlay of the remaining street, sensing Ingerson and Karth Lake as projects to bring back to City Council for discussion, . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2002 8 c.t Maintenance Facilitv Task Force Mayor Probst asked if the City should order an appraisal of the current Maintenance Facility property, Council Member Grant suggested there might be a drastically different appraisal of the proposed Maintenance Facility property based upon the future of TCAAP, He said a number of parties have shown an interest in the current facility. Council Member Larson said he was apprehensive regarding the facility, and the site line barriers, stating it is a large building, with potential residential uses which may be affected by the decision. Planner Parrish said at an earlier meeting, Ramsey County discussed some space constraints. Council Member Larson suggested viewing the Hennepin County facility to use as a benchmark. E.t Council Chamber Signage Deputy Clerk Young presented the Arden Hills logo slgnage designed by FASTSIGNS, Inc. Council Member Grant asked if another material could be used. Ms, Young eXplained that due to the curvature of the wall surface, metal, which is flexible, was the recommendation, The Council Members agreed to the proposal and asked that it be brought forth as a consent item at the next City Council Meeting, . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MA Y 20, 2002 9 E.2 2002 Personnel Policy Deputy Clerk Young presented the draft 2002 Personnel Pohcy, Council Member Larson requested similar language in the harassment section and equal opportunity section be adjusted. The City Council directed staff to bring to the May 28, 2002 meeting as a consent item. Council Comments Mayor Probst adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. Respectfully submiyted, Cynthia Young - Deputy Clerk Ii 1/ /! I" ,.' // . . , ! '. _.-.~-- "i ,/,/1 i-:>/ , / // /7/"" - IiI' / /, ~ / .);1/L/f;!-/ /',t!r,~1 D~nririPr()b Mayor