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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 10-21-2002 . . . ~ ~~!iILLS MEETI.\1G MINUTES APPROVED CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2002, 4:45 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Probst called the meeting to order at 4:47 p.11l. Present: Council Members Beverly Aplikowski, David Grant, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rern. Also present: City Administrator, Joe Lynch; Director of Operations and Maintenance, Tom Moore; Director of Community Services, Aaron Pan-ish; Superintendent of Operations and Maintenance Jim Perron; City Engineer, Greg Brown; and Personnel Direetor/Deputy Clerk, Cynthia Young. 2.A OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE: Karth Lake Pumpioe Engineer Brown detailed the flow of travel of the water related to the Karth Lake issue. He said there was concern from the Wyncrest Circle homeowners that pumping may have caused moisture problems in their basements. He explained that URS had checked out the physical restraints of the area stating the pipe is much lower than the basement(s) in question. He said the water is high, and the DNR did approve the pumping permit. Mr. Brown eXplained that the pumping commenced two weeks earlier. Mr. Brown said all the manholes and storn1 lines were in good condition. He noted that no drainage pipes were plugged. The Work Session audience ineluded several residents with property which abuts Karth Lake, and also neighbors who felt their property was affected by the pumping and high water levels. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2002 2 . The Council members stated that the lake levels in Arden Hills were all at high levels, not just Karth Lakc. Councilmember Larson suggested the City continue the pumping procedure for a short time, then stop. He said no empirical evidence of damage to property or basements of homes had been introduced. Councilmember Larson said the sentiment was to avoid pumping to the goal. Rather, pump to two foot level, stop and assess the situation over the winter season, then spend more time on a permanent solution. Councilmember Aplikowski suggested that the pumping procedure should continue until the next Council meeting, and the drainage pipes should be checked for blockage. Councilmember Grant stated the City should continue pumping, and look to a longer term solution in the spring, but currently pump to levcls no lower than the Ordinary High Water level (OHW). . Councilmember Rem said she was not convinced the City should to go back to the full pumping rate, stating half rate speed seemed to be working. She noted one factor missing with this issue was the need for representation from the DNR and the Rice Creek Watershed District. She recommended pumping continue for seven more days at half rate, stop, and re-visit the issue mid-winter. She also recommended the City televise the lines. The Council received {attached several letters and a petition from Arden Hills residents concerning the Karth Lake Pumping issue. Mayor Probst suggested the City continue to pump at CLment levels and make a decision at the Monday, October 28, 2002 City Council meeting. The Council consensus was to continue pumping at hal f rate pace, televise the stonn sewer, the City Engineer viOrk with Ms. Jacobson and any other rcsidents regarding problems, and revisit the situation at the Monday, October 28, 2002 Council meeting. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21,2002 3 . 3.B COMMLNLTY SERVICES Guidaut Update Dircctor Pan-ish stated that Guidant had submitted an application for a preliminary plat and master plan PUD. He noted the Planning Commission held a public hearing and made a recommendation to the Council on October 2, 2002 to approve the preliminary plat with the recommendations as found in the October 15, 2002 staff report. He explained that Guidant proposed the following response as it relates to the park dedication issue: I. Provide an easement for the existing City trail that crosses onto the Guidant Campus; 2. Provide public access to the trail systcm being developed within the Guidant Campus; 3. Contribute $350,000.00 toward the constmction of a combination warming house/activity center/picnic pavilion. Director Parrish requested Council's input and direction. . Councilmember Larson said he was not supportive of the proposal, stating his concern was that the dollars spent on Cummings Park is not in line with the Park Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Grant said he did not agree with Councilmember Larson. Councilmember Aplikowski asked what a new building cost. Director Moore stated he expected bids in at $350,000. Director Parrish said he thought Guidant was less inelined to provide park fee, when they are also making such significant public improvements. Mayor Probst said when this issue initially came up, he felt uncomfortable with the calculation of the park dedication fee, and suggested further discussion regarding re-routing trails. . Administrator Lynch said the basic premise of the park dedication fee is to deal with potential demand on parks, donate money on an annual basis, over the years. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2002 4 Councilmember Larson stated he was not supportive of dropping $350,000.00 in one park, when other shelters arc needed in the City. Councilmember Rem asked if PTRC had reviewed the proposal. Director Moore answered yes, and asked if there was a way to accomplish the idea that this park is NOT Guidant's parle After further discussion, the Council conscnsus was to "move down the Guidant path", and commit to the $350,000.00. 3.B TECHNOLOGY MASTER PLAN Director Parrish explained that staff prepared a Master Technology Plan for the Council's consideration. He noted the plan sought to outline the strengths, weakncsses, threats and opportunities relative to technology in the City. Mr. Parrish said the plan had been reviewed by the City Management Team and other staff members along with the Websitc Taskforce. The Council briefly discussed the strengths of the document, citing the specific strategic initiatives, and dirccted staff to bring forth an approval document at the next Council meeting. 3.C I-35W BUILD-OUT STL'DY Director Parrish presented the I-35W Build-Out Study, and requested Council comment. Mayor Probst suggested the Council dialogue conceming the I-35W Build-Out Study to the November Work Session. 4.A 2003 Non-Bargaining Emplovee Benefit Renewal Personnel Director/Deputy Clerk Young presented the Council with a summary of the non-bargaining unit employees 2003 benefit, 2000-2002 benefit history, and a summary of the salary and benefits costs. Ms. Young requcstcd Council review and provide comments. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2002 5 No comments from the City Council indicated any amendments to the 2003 Non- bargaining Employee Benefits. 4.B 2003 Council Retreat Ms. Young explaincd that she and the City Administrator had met with Marilyn Condon of M.M. Condon and Associates to discuss the idcntification of thc nccds, project outcomes and action plans for the 2003 Council Retreat. Ms. Young said the first step in the process was that Ms. Condon would meet [infOlmally] with the Couneilmembers, individually. She noted that Ms. Condon would then prepare ideas set forth in those meetings as the basis for a 2003 Retreat Agenda. The Councilmembers agreed to the approach and the consultant and requested staff alert Ms. Condon that they wanted to arrange the informal meetings after the Novcmber 5,2003 General Election. 4.C Emplovee Recognition Committee Ms. Young reviewed the currcnt employee recognition staff voluntccr rostcr, and also mentioned that the employees had been working on a staff newsletter. She noted that the staff committee would be presenting a formal recommendation to thc Council at its organizational meeting in January, 2003, but requested direction from the Council at this time for Operations and Maintenance Worker Michael McKinney, who retires October 31, 2002. The City Council directed staff to purchase a gift equal to $10.00 for each ycar of service by Mr. McKinney and also prepare a plaque honoring him for thirty-one years of service to the City of Arden Hills. After receiving brief Council comments, Mayor Probst adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. /1 Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Young - Personnel D'/'ectortJ,1eputy Clerk " /;:P' Mayor Dennis Probst