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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 10-15-2002 . . . ~ ~~HILLS MEETING MINUTES APPROVED CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MTNNESOT A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2002, 7:00 P.M. . . CITY HALL COt:NCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and noticc thcrcof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:02 P.rn. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Council Members Beverly Aplikowski, David Grant, Gregg Larson, and Council Member Rem Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Joe Lynch; Director of Community Services, Aaron Parrish; City Planner, Peter Hellegers; Director of Operations and Maintenance, Thomas Moore; City Engineer, Greg Brown; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. 1. APPROV AL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Rem seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the October 15, 2002, Regular City Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 30, 2002 Council Meeting Council Mcmber Grant requested thc following changes: Page 8, second paragraph from the bottom, second sentence should read: Council Member Grant replicd he was concerned about smart growtb and walk able neighborhoods..." ARDEN HILLS CITY COUKCIL - October 15, 2002 2 Council Member Larson requested thc following changes: Page 2, third paragraph, second sentence should read: "Mayor Probst said he saw the previous discussion itcms..." Page 8, last paragraph, second to the last sentence, change mitigating to mitigation. Page 4, first paragraph, third sentence from the bottom should read: "He stated this new building proposal was actually a foot lower than the previous building that was approved". Page 5, last paragraph, first sentence should read: ". . . expressed concern about his privacy, trat1ic increase, and the location of the ramp to the basement..." Page 7, first paragraph should read: "... stated her main concern..." Page 8, second to last paragraph, last sentence should read: "...what was actually built did not necessarily work and hc did not..." . Council Member Aplikowski requested the following changes: None. Council Member Rem requested the following changes: Page 9, first paragraph, first sentence should read: Council Member Rem stated she did not realize when they heard the presentation at Work Session described as for infonnational purposes that they would be moving toward endorsing this." . 3. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. . Mayor Probst requestcd the following changes: None. MOTIOX: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the September 30, 2002 Council Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). CONSENT CALE~DAR Claims and Payroll 2002 I st Payment: 2002 PMP Hunters Court/Waldon Place: T.S. Schifsky 2002 1 st Payment: Sewer and Watermain Rehabilitation Project: Visu-Sewer Clcan & Seal. 2002 1 st Payment: Storm Drainage Improvements: Dryden Excavating Resolution No. 02-52: Authorizing Application for Recycling SCORE Grant funds for 2003 Resolution No. 02-53: Establishing Service Fee Charge for 2003 Residential Curbside Recycling Program Resolution No. 02-54: A Resolution Approving an Application for Authorization for an Exempt Gambling Permit to Trinity Lutheran Church MOTION: Council Member Larson moved and Council Membcr Grant seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 15, 2002 3 . authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 4. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS Carol Jacobsen, 1295 Wvncrest Court, stated she had lived in her home for 18 years and indicated she found moisture in her lower level as well as a sewer smell in her basement last week. She stated she had spoken with Tom Moore, who investigated this, but could not locate the source o[ her problem. She noted since the City had started pumping Karth Lake, she has had moisture in her home. She stated this had not happened because of the rain and the wet summer. She stated it was not a coincidence, that once they started pumping Karth Lake that she has had moisture problems. . Mayor Probst asked if Ms. Jacobsen had any connection to the storm sewer and asked if the City could dye test the sewer system. Mr. Moore replied they had done a dye test today, but did not see any problems. He noted the sanitary and manhole covers were Gowing fine. He indicated there was no standing water in Ms. Jacobsen's yard. Ms. Jacobsen stated she did not have a logical explanation for what was going on, but she did not believe it was a coincidence that they were pumping Karth Lake, and now she had moisture problems. She stated even with all of the rain they had this summer she had no problems with moisture until they started pumping Karth Lake. She noted if they continued to pump Karth Lake over the next couple of weeks and she continued to !lave problems, she would need to come back to the City for help. Council Member Aplikowski asked if any of her neighbors had moisture problems. Ms. Jacobsen replied she had spoken with the neighbors, and the ones she had spoken with stated their yards were very wet, but they did not have moisture in their basements. . Pat Krenn, 1230 Wvncrest Court, stated 15 years ago his lower level got wet like Ms. Jacobsen's basement due to the City pumping Karth Lake over a short period o[time. He stated he did not have a problem while they were pumping, but shortly afterwards; there was a 5-inch rainfall that collapsed the storm sewer ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL .. October 15, 2002 4 . farther down the street which collected in his pond. He noted thcre werc nine springs in Karth Lake and one of those springs went into his pond. He stated Ms. Jacobsen's property is situated on a former pond. Mr. Krenn stated since they had started pumping Karth Lake the water table around his home and his pond had gone down. He expressed concern that they would not be able to ice skate on the pond this year if it continued to go down. Mr. Krenn suggested stopping the pumping of Karth Lake temporarily to see if this was causing the problems at Ms. Jacobsen's home. Mayor Probst asked if they had taken the elevations of the pond. Mr. Brown replied they had not, but they would. . Ms. Jacobsen asked if it would make sense to let nature do its part and come to some agreement to reduce the pumping of Karth Lake. She stated she was opposed to the pumping originally, and now she was very much against the pumping because she believed it was affecting her home. She asked what would happen when the ground started freezing. Would she continue to have problems? Mr. Brown replicd they expected the pumping to be completed within the next three weeks, and the ground would not be frozen during that time. He noted if the water started freezing in the pipe, they would stop pumping. Ms. Jacobsen asked if someone could investigate if hcr home was sitting on a former pond. Mr. Parrish replied the City had aerial photos dating back to the 1940's and that they would look into this issue. Council Member Larson suggested reducing the pumping by one-half the volume, which would still allow the City to address the concerns of the residents of Karth Lake. . MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Grant seconded a motion to authorize the stafI to check Ms. Jacobsen's home, the surrounding properties, and the propcrties around Karth Lake and Wyncrest Court that were suspected of having problem associated with the pumping of Karth Lake. Staff was also authorized to make the decision to go to one-half pumping immediately. StafI was authorized to stop pumping entirely if they deternline thc pumping was affecting residents in the Wyncrest Court area. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COlJl\CIL - October 15,2002 5 Council Member Larson requested they revisit this issue at their next workshop mceting to determine ifthcy should stop the pumping or reduce the now. Council Member Rem asked that the residents of Karth Lake and the Wyncrest Court neighborhood be informed about the Work Session meeting, if thcy were going to discuss this issue again. MOTION: Council Member Larson moved and Mayor Probst seconded a motion to amend the previous motion to authorize staff to measure the flow at the outlet, determine the impact the pumping may be having on the area, but NOT reduce any now rate until they met at Work Session next week. Council Member Rem noted she still supported Council Member Aplikowski's original motion to cut the now in half. Mayor Probst stated his concem was that he did not bclieve any change to the flow would solve Ms. Jacobsen's problem. Amended Motion failed (2-3). (Mayor Probst and Council Member Larson - Yea. Council Members Rem, Aplikowski, and Grant - Nay.) Original Motion passed (4-1 ).). (Council Members Grant, Larson, Aplikowski, and Rem- Yea. Mayor Probst - Nay.) 6. COM\WNITY SERVICES A. Fireworks Ordinance No. 342 Mr. Panish explained that the Lake Johanna Fire Department was requesting that member cities consider passing an Ordinance regulating consumer fireworks. More specifically, they were requcsting that a license be required to sell and store fireworks in the city. B. TCAAP - Update Mr. Parrish stated staff had had various meetings with thc Development Team, Ramsey County Parks and the DNR, and John Shardlow, DSU. He updated the Council on the various meetings. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL October 15,2002 6 . Mayor Probst noted thcy needed to keep in mind that a north/south connection was very important and had been a part of the Vento Plan. 7. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE None. 8. ADMINISTRATION A. Personnel: Appointment of Sandra Byl to Regular Part-time Status Mr. Lynch stated Ms. Byl began working for the City as a part-time Customer Service Reprcsentative II. Ms. Byl had completed her six-month training period and per the Personnel Policy, Ms. Byl was evaluated at the end ofthat period. Her performance had been satisfactory. Staff recommended the Council appoint Ms. Byl on a regular, part-time basis. . MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Council Member Rem seconded a motion to appoint Sandra Byl to regular part-time status as Customer Service Representative II. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). (Council Member Larson was not present for the vote.) B. Discussion: TCAAP Advisory Panel Mr. Parrish stated the candidates for the TCAAP Master Planning Advisory Panel Community Representative seats had been ranked by the Council, and askcd if the Council wanted to set up interviews for the Octobcr 21, 2002 Work Session. MOTION: Council Member Rem movcd and Council Member Aplikowski seconded a motion to appoint the top six candidates to the TCAAP Advisory Panel. Mr. Lynch noted the Council had originally told thc candidates there was going to be an interview process, and it would be necessary to communicate with each candidate abOlLt the Council's logic not to hold interviews. Mayor Probst stated he would likc to accept the top four candidates, or interview . all of the candidates. . . . ARDE~ HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 15,2002 7 Council Member Aplikowski notcd if they were going to interview candidates, they needed to interview all ofthc candidates. MOTION: Council Member Aplikowski moved and Mayor Probst scconded to amend the previous motion to appoint six candidates to the Advisory Board after intervicwing all twelve candidates Amendment canied (3-2). (Mayor Probst, Council Members Aplikowski and Rcm - Yea. Council Members Larson and Grant - Nay.) Original Motion failed (2-2-1) (Council Member Aplikowski and Mayor Probst- Yea. Council Members Larson and Grant- Nay. Council Member Rem- abstained.) MOTION: Council Member Larson moved and Mayor Probst seconded a motion to approve the top six candidates plus Sharon Klump, who was rated number one by one of the Council Members. Council Member Larson noted he did not see the point in interviewing twelve candidates. Council Member Aplikowski stated she supported appointing the bottom SIX candidates as altemates. Motion failed (2-3). (Council Member Larson and Mayor Probst - Yea. Council Members Grant, Aplikowski, and Rem Nay.) MOTION: Council Member Grant moved to appoint the bottom SIX candidates as alternates. Motion failed for lack of a second. Council .Member Rem noted Mayor Probst did not call for a second to the motion. MOTION: Council Member Grant movcd and Council Membcr Rem seconded a motion to appoint the top six candidates to the TCAAP Advisory Panel, and to appoint the bottom six candidates as altemates. ARDEN HILLS CITY COL'NCIL - October 15, 2002 8 . The motion carried (4-1). (Mayor Probst - Nay.) . . Council Member Aplikowski stated she would like to see a small business owner appointed as a Business Representative in addition to Guidant Corporation. C. Metropolitan Council Redistricting Proposition Mr. Lynch explained the State was required to redraw boundarics for each of the Metropolitan Council Districts. He noted the Metropolitan Council had provided three options for consideration: Alternative 1 aligned Arden Hills with the surrounding communities of Shoreview, Mounds View, New Brighton, and Vadnais Heights. Alternative 2 aligned Arden Hills in a district with a portion of the City of Minneapolis. Alternative 3 aligned Arden Hills with the cities of Coon Rapids, Fridley and Spring Lake Park. He asked for thc Council's recommendations. MOTION: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Larson seconded a motion to instruct staff to draft a lettcr to the Metropolitan Council in support of Option I, and to propose that Roseville, Lauderdale, and Falcon Heights be traded for Maplewood and North St. Paul. The motion carried unanimoLlsly (5-0). D. Livable Communities Grant - Metropolitan Council Mayor Probst noted therc was an issue raised at the last meeting regarding the contract. He indicated he had since looked at this issue and he believed this should be discussed further. Council Mcmber Grant noted the Council was led to believe this was a planning grant with no strings attached, but in reading through the contract there was a clause or two which was of concern to him because it did not leave all of the planning options open. He stated he did not believe this was in line with the values of the community. Mayor Probst noted they had already approved this and he supported their original decision. Council Member Larson bclieved they were making a mountain out of a molehill and suggested thcy let the planning process occur. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -- October 15, 2002 9 . Council Member Rem stated she also had a concern regarding the requirements of the contract, and noted the Council had not agreed to support the requirements of the contract. Council Member Aplikowski asked if they needed the grant to continue the process. Mr. Parrish replied they would have to amend their budget to make up the difference, or utilize the City funds. Hc statcd thcy had other alternatives in the event they did not have it. Council Member Aplikowski stated she was against the premature planning they had experienced and thc mandates of the contract. MOTION: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Aplikowski seconded a motion to extcnd the Council meeting until 10:30 p.rn. The motion carricd unanimously (5-0). . Council Member Larson stated if the Metropolitan Council did not agree with the planning process in the end and wanted the money back, then they would give the money back, but he supported going forward with the planning process. Mayor Probst indicated the Metropolitan Council was not going to go away and stated they needed to work with thern. He noted if they did not accept this grant, it would impair the City's ability to obtain grants in the fLlture. He urged the Council to stay with their original decision. MOTION: Council Member Grant moved and Council Member Aplikowski seconded a motion to authorizc the City Administrator to return the grant money back to the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Lynch noted they had not actually received any money at this point. Mr. Panish replied they had not executed the contract yet. Council Mcmber Aplikowski stated they did not need the grant money, and she did not believe they should tie themselvcs to the Metropolitan Council more than they were already required to be. . Council Member Grant noted the Vento Plan did not address mixed use or high density and the City had agreed to follow the Vento Plan. AROEl\ HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 15,2002 10 . Mayor Probst stated he believed they were better off partnering with the Metropolitan Council. Council Member Rem noted they should be partnering with the residents and businesses in Arden Hills. Council Member Rem noted she would be comfortable with signing the contract, only if it was the Council's understanding that the money may need to be returned, ifit did not meet the contract requirements ofthe Metropolitan Council. Mr. Lynch noted the contract did not require any of the Metropolitan Council's concerns, but instead "encouraged" the City Council to consider certain suggestions. He noted nowherc in the contract did it address mixcd use or high density. Council Member Grant called the question. . Motion failed (1-3-1). (Council Member Grant - Yea. Mayor Probst and Council Members Larson and Rem - Nay. Council Mcmber Aplikowski - Abstain.) 10. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Council Member Grant had no comments. Council Member Larson had no comments. Council Member Aplikowski stated she came being prepared to stop the pumping on Karth Lake, so hopefully they could resolve that issue to the benefit of evcryone. She requested staff put on the agenda for the 28th Work Session a discussion of AMM Policy Recommendations. Council Member Rem stated there was a recent artiele in the Pioneer Press that included a comment on hcr membership on the TCAAP and RAB and requested clarification ofthis comment. Mayor Probst updated Council on a recent meeting with Guidant and requested a future Work Session discussion regarding Guidant's proposal for the park . dedication fee.