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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 06-17-2002 . . . ~ ~~HILLS MEETING MINUTES Approved June 24, 2002 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, JUNE 17,2002,4:45 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Probst called the meeting to order at 5:07 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; Recreation Program Supervisor Michelle Olson; City Engineer, Greg Brown; and Deputy Clerk, Cynthia Young. 2.A TCAAP - Land Transfer Process Mr. Barry Steinberg, who is engaged by Rehbein to assist with project, discussed the following points: · Federal land enjoys fair market value and does it competitively, unless dealing with state, federal or municipal government, who has the authority to negotiate. . TCAAP is one of the more contaminated sites in the nation. · Federal property deed must define the historical impact of the site. There is as deed restriction provision which affects human health and the environment. · Early transfer process is available. · EP A must provide approval along with Governor of State for early transfer. . Federal government wants financial assurances that the private sector contractor that is implementing the clean-up is protected. US government is ultimately responsible no matter what the contract defines, Municipal . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17,2002 2 government may enter into a cooperative agreement with a private developer to negotiate clean-up, Mr. Ray Clark stated TCAAP is a high priority project. He referenced a similar scenario in Joliet, Illinois, Mr. Clark stated four major elements to accomplish the transfer: 1) Coordination of all elected officials 2) Complete understanding to engage in a regulatory scheme 3) Continuous outreach to the entire commtmity 4) Engagc a high quality master development team Mayor Probst asked if the excessing has begun. Mr, Clark reported that this process has begun, Mayor Probst asked ifmapping the master strategy had been accomplished. Mr. Clark said he owes Arden Hills a timeline no later than Friday, and reminded the Council that they must have total community support. Mr. Steinberg suggested two years from the time environmental study begins, that is optimistic, Senator Grams said a meeting was scheduled Tuesday 25th of June at Governors office regarding the TCAAP issue, Council Member Rem requested a realistic timeline, Mr. Clark replied that "notice of intent" goes out on day one; then frame a decision; draft to EPA and public for at least 45 days (EIS); EPA reviews; final EIS-public gets an additional 30 days. He said the process could clearly be complete in eighteen months with a six month cushion. 4.A PTRC - Parks Comprehensive Plan/Funding The Parks, Trails, Recreation Committee members introduced themselves and briefly discussed their priorities (passions), Roberta Thompson - Trails . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17,2002 3 Steve Zilmer - Trails Cindy Garretson - Valentine Hills area, trails are an important element. Bill Henry - Trails which can unite the community. Don Messerly - Nature areas, especially Creapeau Rich Straumann - discussed current inventories, implementation; signage; gardens and flower gardens; benches. Requested Council approval to install sigJlage and non-park funding to develop a master plan for park structures. Director Moore suggested situating benches to promote a sense of community, and encourage trail usage. The Council directed staff to bring the sigJlage issue and benches discussion to the June 24, 2002 City Council regular meeting. (Council Member Larson arrived 7:00 p,m.) Council Member Aplikowski said she feels it is a little too early to go to Guidant for funding for a Park shelter to be located at Cummings Park without some planning. Council Member Larson suggested certainly approaching Guidant and other companies located in Arden Hills, but not to necessarily discuss issues relating to City parks adjacent to their properties. Mayor Probst suggested companies typically budget for these kinds ofprojects, but would recommend some things for 2003. Mr. Stromann asked if current funding will be replenished in the following years. Mayor reminded that all expenditures occur with City Council approval. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17, 2002 4 . 2.B Cub Foods Concept pun Planner Parrish reviewed the Cub Foods Concept Planned Unit Development as found in the June 10,2002 staff report to City COlmcil. Paul Tucci - OPPIDAN Development said he heard from the Planning Commission that green space was an issue, therefore, the plan is to install some further islands in the parking lot area and stagger spacing of landscaping to increase the green space, He noted 99% of delivery trucks will arrive from 694 then further down Lexington A venue. Council Member Grant said he was pleased the entrance is redesigned, He asked if the Shannon Square lighting could be redone, and encouraged Mr. Tucci to consider lighting options consistent with the proposed Cub lighting plan. Mr. Tucci answered that they did not plan to remove and replace the existing light poles. . Council Member Larson asked what the customer base is considering the near location of Rainbow, other CUB Foods, and he noted that this design will set the tone for this side of Lexington and County Road E. He said he had hopes that there can be some design guidelines in Arden Hills which will set itself apart from other communities. Mr. Tucci said the Cub organization had done zip code studies related to customer demographics, Mayor Probst agreed with Council Member Larson regarding setting this CUB apart from other stores, by "raising the bar a bit". He expressed his concerns regarding sidewalks and fayade of the building. Council Member Aplikowski expressed her support for the Cub proposal. 2.C Vaul!hn Tower Administrator Lynch reviewed the background of the 700-foot Arden Tower located at 1770 Gateway Boulevard, as found in the June 12,2002 staff report. . The Council Members discussed the specifications of the original tower proposal, finding that the antennae should be modified to compliance, and not removed. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17,2002 5 Mayor Probst suggested pursuing the removal of the tower due to non-compliance and the length of time this issue has been allowed, Council Member Larson asked if the original tower installation was permitted at the current height. He said if the applicant applied for a 600 foot tower, he should have to come into compliance now. Planner Parrish eXplained the application process. Administrator Lynch brought up the idea that the City negotiated easement rights for the property exchange with Cbesapeake, It was agreed that Dan Vaughn should be responsible for engineering expenses, 2.D Indv Parcel Planner Parrish discussed tbe three eligible uses within the Gateway Business District as presented in the staff report. The Mayor and City Council discussed the options and directed staff to bring back for recommendation at the June 24, 2002 meeting. 2.E Planninl?: Commission Appointment Council directed staff to appoint Cathy Smithknecht as Planning Commissioner and bring to CC as consent agenda item for Monday, June 24, 2002 CC meeting, 2.F Cable TV Services Planner Parrish discussed expanded enhancements to cable services to be paid for from current franchise fees, the intent being to use franchise flmds for public servlcc. Mayor Probst said he supported the idea of further enhancements especially in light of the impending TCAAP process, stating this would be another tool to keep the public informed. The Council Members agreed that the primary focus would be to utilize the enhancements and additional staffresponsibiJities for a cable technician. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17, 2002 6 . 3.A 2003 Recreation Program Budget Administrator Lynch stated staff would like to have a more productive discussion regarding Recreation Programs and the funding thereof for 2003, He requested Council comments, Council Member Aplikowski asked if classes were full and was the City turning people away, She noted other issues which seem to be changing due to lack of funding, such as the Ramsey County Library and Day in the Park event. Supervisor Olson said rather than turn people away, she will hire staff to handle the overflow and additional classes. She stated that some programs are fully self- supporting and some that have low administration costs and not as high enrollment. She said the City offered a wide variety of programs, which may be amended to align with what other cities are offering, and the demographic changes within the population. She suggested adjusting the program goals while making some tough cuts that should result in increased revenues, She said she had taken a closer look . at the budget this past year, and would be pleased to do so in the coming years, Council Member Grant suggested funding Park and Recreation at the same level as 2000 with inflationary increase, He noted that funding the fire department services would not be dependent upon charitable gambling, and posed the question why should recreation programs be. He suggested again using the cable services to advertise programs. He said another option may be to coordinate with other communities. Council Member Larson commended the programs and the directors, but noticed the lack of growth as a reason to view some programs as a luxury during good economic times. He suggested prioritizing provided services. He suggested a reduction of programs so they could be more self-supporting, He said his inclination to reduce the recreation budget was based upon so many other options and opportunities offered through churches, schools, scouts, etc, Mayor Probst said the difficult decisions are based the uncertainty in the predictability of programming, He said there is indeed a budget reality that needs to be dealt with relative to the decrease in charitable gambling revenues, . . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17,2002 7 Council Member Rem suggested the population of Arden Hills is changing, and that could be reflective in the enrollment in programs. Administrator Lynch said the City needs to define more than a one year plan to deal with these issues. Mayor Probst suggested the City may need to look at charitable gambling revenues in a different way, and recreation programs as more significant than other Council's may have. He noted the difference between capitol expenditures and ongomg expenses, Director Moore said the focus should be to create community spirit, and urged the City Council to spend the money to do so, with pride. 4.C 2003 PMP Schedule Engineer Brown reviewed the smmnary of the proposed design/construction schedule for the 2003 PMP. Mayor Probst suggested focusing on the neighborhood meetings, 4.B 2002 PMP Assessment Rate Engineer Brown reviewed the June 12, 2002 Proposed Assessment Role for the 2002 PMP role utilizing the Cities assessment policy guidelines. Mayor Probst reminded the Council that the original establishment of the rate was not based upon an actual estimate. Administrator Lynch explained the 429 statutory requirements. The City Council agreed to the 2002 PMP Assessment Rate. 5.A Organizational Restructure Council Member Rem said she sees the bottom line with the organizational issue is to hire a planner and not go with using a consulting planner. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES JUNE 17, 2002 8 Mayor Probst encouraged forward movement, and said he did not see TCAAP as the only driving force, He suggested staff move to fill the position, and not hire a contract planner. Council Reports Council Member Rem offered her paid registration to the League Conference on Wednesday, June 19,2002. Council Member Grant discussed the proposed maintenance facility and said at the meeting on the 2Slh of June the costs should be brought forward. Council Member Larson reported he would be meeting at 6:30 in the morning, June 19,2002 to participate in the interviewing of Fire Chief candidates. Council Member Aplikowski reported she had -turned in complaint to the City Administrator. She said a decision had to be made about the use of a convertible for the Day in the Park Parade. She also reviewed Day in the Park updates and instructi ons. Mayor Probst said the City had literally a month and a half to make a decision on fertilizer legislation, He requested input regarding the League of Minnesota Cities Permit Guide Plan. Mayor Probst adjourned the meeting at 11:00 P.M. Respectfully sub itted, Cynthia Young - Deputy Clerk I / I. ~ III {I / /-~~ " Ii I /,. / ./ ./ 1""" /f'l r .I /. // /1:- /r:a ,../ " ~J;~'- . t?J Dennis Pobst Mayor