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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-24-SWS City of Arden Hills ▪1245 West Highway 96 ▪ Arden Hills Minnesota 55112 Phone 651.792.7800 ▪ Fax 651.634.5137 ▪ www.cityofardenhills.org Request for Special City Council Work Session A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers. Reason for meeting: 1. Public Inquiries/Informational 2. Response to Public Inquiries 3. Agenda Items A. 2024 PMP Update Discussion B. Concept Review for Primer Tracer Property C. State of the City Update D. Public Works Maintenance Flexible Schedule Discussion E. Ground Solar Energy Systems in Residential Districts Discussion F. Work Session Priorities G. Monthly Commission/Committee Reports H. Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP Discussion I. Council Tracker 4. Council/Staff Comments Adjourn Requested Date: 01/08/2024 Requested time: 5:00 pm Open meeting X Closed meeting Signature of person(s) making request: 01/05/2024 Mayor or Council Member Date / / Council Member Date -This section to be completed by City staff- Date received: 01/05/2024 Date meeting to be held: 01/08/2024 Time of meeting: 5:00 pm Location: City Hall All necessary posting and notices have been completed. 01/05/2024 Signature of City Clerk Date lt ,-ARQEN HILLS Approved: February 12, 2024 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 8, 2024 5:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the Special City Council Work Session at 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Emily Rousseau, Tena Monson and Tom Fabel Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault, Finance Director Joua Yang, Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe, Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen, Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson, Senior Communications Coordinator Luke Cardona, Bolton and Menk Principal Engineer Brad Fisher, Maplewood Development President Mario Cocchiarella and Alliant Engineering Vice President Clark Wicklund 1. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL None. 2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. 2024 PMP Update Discussion Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained that this was an update to the Council of where they are at with the PMP. This will be the last conversation with Council before it is brought forward in February for approval of final plans and specs, and to authorize bidding. Mr. Fisher stated they would be discussing the project overview — final design scope, RCWD requirements, preliminary estimated costs, preliminary assessment roll and the project schedule. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 2 He reviewed the scope of work and alternates. He explained the difference between reclamation and full depth resurfacing, and mill and overlay. Mr. Fisher discussed the maps showing the north and south halves of the project area. He reviewed the water quality improvements that will be a part of the project or alternates to the project. He noted the Council had approved applying for a storm water management grant, that has been submitted to the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) and that could finance 50% of the SAFL Baffle which is estimated to be about $95,000. Mr. Fisher explained the proposed watermain replacement work on James Avenue, the parallel parking along Royal Lane at Floral Park, and the trail and retaining wall rehab included in the project. He reviewed the RCWD requirements. Mr. Fisher reviewed the summary of preliminary estimated costs that included a 10% contingency and 27% for indirect overhead costs. Final costs will be presented at the February Council meeting. He also reviewed the summary of funding sources, the special assessment process and the application of special assessments. He explained where they were on the project schedule and next steps. Mayor Grant stated that essentially Mr. Fisher was asking for approval to go ahead, and that he has the numbers close enough that Council won't be surprised. Councilmember Monson wondered what the 2023 PMP estimated cost was versus actual. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said there was a PMP in 2022 where they reconstructed Snelling Avenue North and the Arden Oaks neighborhood. Last year was the roundabout and trails. Councilmember Monson asked why not all of the houses on the James Avenue section weren't being assessed. Mr. Fisher explained that per the assessment policy each property was assessed based on the street address, so the properties not being assessed were not facing James Avenue. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen added that in 2018 they reconstructed Indian Oaks Trail and Indian Oaks Court and those homes were assessed during that project. Councilmember Monson said she assumed the estimates did not include a grant being received. Mr. Fisher replied the estimates are the cost the City will be obligated to, if they get the grant, it would be deducted from one of the funding sources. Councilmember Rousseau asked what kind of feedback they got from residents about the amount of the last PMP assessment. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said everyone questions what the amount is and if it's relevant to other costs throughout the City, so they go historically back to other projects. He recalled the Snelling Avenue North and Arden Oaks neighborhood had reclaim assessments of around $4,800 per property. He felt the assessments for this project were accurate. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 3 Councilmember Rousseau asked if they had looked at a specific section of trail. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen didn't think the trail section was maintained by the City, he thought there was a homeowner's association that maintained it but he could check on it. Councilmember Holden wondered if there were other pinch points in the watermain in the James Avenue area. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said the watermain was being replaced because it is undersized. Councilmember Holden asked if the price includes project management. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen replied it did, it was included in the 27%. Councilmember Holden asked when they would dredge the pond if they didn't get the funding this time. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated the pond in this area along with most of the ponds in Arden Hills haven't been dredged since they were created. They are starting a dredging program and rolling it into the PMP. There are some higher priority ponds included in the next four years. Mayor Grant thanked Mr. Fisher for presenting. B. Concept Review for Primer Tracer Property Mr. Cocchiarella introduced himself as the owner of Maplewood Development Company. They have been in business for 43 years and he has developed some 15,000 residential and commercial lots across the metro. They are familiar with remediation sites; he also owns Belair Sitework Services and they are uniquely qualified to handle a site like this. Mr. Cocchiarella felt it was important to know that the site has some natural relief to it, there are berms along the southern boundary of the site that may not stay but he thought the site was sheltered from County Road I and I35. There is also a relief of separation from the Rice Creek Commons site. He thought they could take advantage of the natural topography in addition to the landscaping they will provide on the site. Access to the site is unique, there is a 100-foot easement off of County Road I that has been granted to Ramsey County but there is a clause that demands it be subgranted to the developer of the site. He would let the engineer speak to the challenges with sewer and water connections, and if Ramsey County decided to build trails or park facilities on the site to the west. Mr. Cocchiarella said they would like to have some flexibility on the site. He explained one of the concepts they have planned so far. He would like the Council to consider rezoning the property to I-2 in hopes of attracting a national tenant. He further explained the separation of the site to the surrounding areas. He noted there are many buildings on the site, there will be demolition, excavation or removal of the underground heating system that is wrapped in asbestos, along with other site cleaning. They plan to mass correct the site, compact it and get it ready for ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 4 the buildings and parking areas. Demolition, remediation, and site preparation will take six months. Mr. Wicklund stated that both Arden Hills and Shoreview have utilities in the general area, but not to the immediate area. There is a 12-inch water main and a nine -inch sanitary sewer to the north that go into Shoreview. To the west there are utilities available from Arden Hills; an eight - inch sanitary sewer line and a 12-inch water main. He anticipated the area being serviced by the nine -inch line to the north as the County considered utility extensions from that direction. Water would potentially be connected to both locations. Mr. Cocchiarella said they were the high bidder for the property but they have not closed on it yet. There are some stumbling blocks with the Army; in the event of any discovery of contamination the Army needs to have unfettered access back into the site, and nobody will put a mortgage on that. Something needs to happen to change that but he's not sure what that could be. They are prepared to close and move ahead, but that is a big stumbling block. He explained the three key issues he saw: the source of sewer and water services, the easement that will provide access to the Ramsey County Park and to this property would have to remain a private road, and the zoning request to I-2 which would be a bit more flexible than the current zoning. Councilmember Holden asked if the County had intentions to have a road that comes to that parkland area. Mr. Cocchiarella didn't think there was any other way to get through there based on the impediments of wetlands and Rice Creek. Councilmember Holden asked how they would bring the water line through the nature preserve. Mr. Wicklund responded they would likely direction bore that line. Councilmember Holden suggested they talk with Betty McCollum's office to see if there are concerns because that is a sensitive area with Blanding's Turtles, Rusty Bumblebees and different plants. She asked if they could bring utilities from Mound Road. Mr. Wicklund said Ramsey County had communicated that the corridor easement area had been provided with the expectation that there be a private road to serve the property. Mr. Cocchiarella added the easement agreement from the Army is very specific to the site and the Ramsey County site. Councilmember Holden asked if they would participate in the MPCA Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup program as it was easier to get brownfield money. Mr. Cocchiarella stated they hadn't anticipated doing the project in any way other than as a market rate deal. Councilmember Fabel asked if the private road would preclude any commercial use of the property. Mr. Cocchiarella said it gives them their access and the easement agreement is set out specifically to provide access to that site so commercial would be included. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 5 Councilmember Fabel asked about a hold harmless agreement regarding the remediation. Mr. Cocchiarella replied that the NBCA is a governing body they deal with a lot. Once the property is cleaned up, then they want a deed that is clean too. His legal counsel is telling him that one of the problems is the CERCLA Clause which is Federal law. He hoped that once it was cleaned up the Army's access could be limited. He thought the difference between this site and the land to the south was there wasn't any PCBs on this site. It's about the pipe that provides heat and once that's removed along with the creosote they are hopeful they can find a way through it. Councilmember Rousseau asked if they have any estimates of how many jobs the two different scenarios might bring in or the average pay. Mr. Cocchiarella said across the site there is potential for 100-400 jobs. Councilmember Rousseau wondered if this property was included in the energy aspect scope of Rice Creek Commons. Councilmember Monson said at this time it is separate. Councilmember Rousseau asked if solar might be a possibility on the roofs. Mr. Cocchiarella felt that wouldn't generate enough power for what the potential needs would be inside the buildings, but it was an option. He thought the market was looking for that with users that want alternative energy sources. Mayor Grant noted they are estimating one million square feet. Mr. Cocciarella responded that was roughly what they were estimating, but the second option would be more like 750,000 square feet. Mayor Grant said they seem to think Option 2 would bring in more of a regional account. Why did they believe that? Mr. Cocciarella said they owned a 36-acre industrial site right across the freeway. They just sold it and the number of companies that contacted him for trailer storage and for transportation related distribution was off the charts. The need for that kind of distribution center is very high. There are a lot of national companies looking for that. Mayor Grant said not all warehouses are the same, some are much more automated than others. He'd like to see this generate some jobs. Mr. Cocciarella stated they won't really be in control of that as they market the site, but the hard reality is too many people want to stay home and finding labor is difficult. So, they mitigate that through the kind of workforce they think can manage the kind of operation they have. Mayor Grant said it would be nice if one of the buildings could incorporate an office/warehouse concept. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION — JANUARY 8, 2024 6 Mr. Cocciarella explained they all have some office component, many in the 5,000 square foot range, some up to 10,000, and the rest is warehouse. Mr. Wicklund added the footprints they use are an office flex footprint with a 20/80 split. Councilmember Monson said they were also interested in EV charging and she assumed if their clients were also looking for EV charging they would include that. She wondered if the market was already there or if Amazon using EV was the tip of the spear. Mr. Cocciarella said EV charging has become kind of the norm, he fully expects there would be something like that here and he didn't see any problem getting the electric to service that. Councilmember Monson asked what the second type of use would be. Mr. Cocciarella felt there would be a mix of trailers for distribution; outdoor storage limited to semi -trailers. The first option did also show the potential for trailer storage. Councilmember Holden stated all jobs were important but so is tax revenue, so she wanted decent buildings, not a slapped together warehouse that would give the minimum amount of taxes. Mr. Cocciarella felt the benefit in dealing with someone like him was that they would come back for approval on each building so they would see the vertical construction. He didn't think there was junk anymore, the buildings were all pretty high quality. Councilmember Holden agreed that there was a high demand for outdoor storage, at places like International Paper they don't have enough space to put their trucks. Councilmember Monson asked for an explanation of I-1 versus I-2. Community Development Director Jagoe replied they have very similar land uses that are allowed in each district. She felt the reason why Maplewood Development was seeking I-2 was that manufacturing and processing has Class 1 and Class 2, Class 2 allows for outdoor storage and that is only permitted in 1-2. Mayor Grant wouldn't want a building removed for trailer parking for a business of its own, he felt it should be an accessory amenity to a business in the building. Councilmember Holden asked if they could make a building 20% office in I-1 or I-2. Community Development Director Jagoe said she would have to look at the code specifically for that information. Councilmember Fabel asked if there was a deadline for the closing date. Mr. Cocciarella said the deadline had past. In addition to the problems with the deed restrictions, there have also been problems with the access easement not being described correctly and title issues but he thought they could get through those. Both parties want to close so they are trying to work it out. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 7 Councilmember Monson commented that she would like to see topography views or visual renderings. She wasn't particularly excited about outdoor storage right next to the nature center or Rice Creek Commons. Discussion ensued regarding which option would need which zoning district and what was allowed in those districts. Councilmember Holden said since they could control the I-2 she felt that was a good use, there was a need for it, it needs to be cleaned up and it would be nice to get some tax dollars out of it. Mayor Grant said his preference was Option I but Option 2 would be acceptable. Councilmember Rousseau agreed. She understood that the market would drive the possibility of Option 2. Councilmember Monson was open to either concept. The challenges on the site will be difficult and given Maplewood Development's experience with contaminated land she supports the project. C. State of the City Update Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona explained he'd like Council to review and give feedback on the presentation, determine what method they'd like to use for Q&A, and decide if the Council would like postcards mailed to residents and/or businesses. City Administrator Perrault added that this was the last official meeting they would have before State of the City. Council will get an electronic version of the entire presentation closer to the date. Councilmember Holden stated she thought they needed to add the city logo with the tree to the slides. Mayor Grant thought he should introduce the Council and Staff. Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona said that would be included in the script. Councilmember Holden felt it was hard to read white lettering on the organization chart. Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona noted that in 2022 there were 30 informational slides, so far this year there are 27. Mayor Grant said they should send postcards. He thought when they didn't send postcards they didn't have a good turnout. City Administrator Perrault said 2018 was the last year they sent actual postcards and only to businesses. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION — JANUARY 8, 2024 8 Councilmember Rousseau would like to do note cards for Q&A and put them together if there are multiple questions on a topic. She wondered if Community Members were ever put above the Council on the org chart. Mayor Grant said to also include Businesses at the top of the chart. Councilmember Rousseau asked what the game plan for THC, Committees and Commissions and NYFS. City Administrator Perrault replied that he would be crafting those, they would be simple overviews. Discussion ensued with comments for changes to the presentation slides. Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona clarified that the Q&A would be on note cards handed out to attendees. He asked if they were sending postcards to businesses only or also to residents. After discussion is was decided to send postcards to businesses only. Senior Communications Coordinator Cardona stated that if they had other changes to work directly with the staff person for that department. He would have the final version of the presentation and scripts for everyone the week before the event. D. Public Works Maintenance Flexible Schedule Discussion Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained that at a previous Council meeting Staff was directed to request a proposal from the Public Works Maintenance Workers regarding a flexible schedule. The proposal would be to define the winter months as the first full week of November to the last full week of March, and summer hours defined as any days outside of winter hours. Proposed summer hour times: 6:30 am to 3:30 pm Monday — Thursday, Friday 6:30 am — 10:30 am. Winter hours proposed: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday — Friday. He approved this schedule, there was no loss of working hours, but downtime in the middle of the day would be shortened. There would be longer work days during summer hours Monday — Thursday and Friday would be utilized as a short maintenance day and regrouping/setting up for the next week. Councilmember Rousseau was fine with the changes. Councilmember Holden reminded them that the City doesn't allow workers until 7:00 am, and they need to make sure staff follows the same rules. She wondered if they could do this as a trial. City Administrator Perrault said ultimately this wouldn't require Council approval as Superintendent Frid and Director Swearingen would be allowed to set the maintenance employee schedule, but it may require a Personnel Policy change. If Council is comfortable with this, it could be done with a trial period and if it works out it could be made permanent or adjusted. It isn't intended to be a union negotiated contract item. Mayor Grant thought the contract said management sets the hours so they're not giving that up. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 9 Councilmember Fabel agreed with the proposal. Councilmember Monson also agreed. Mayor Grant said as long as they could assess it and put it out as a trial he was OK with it. E. Ground Mounted Solar Energy Systems in Residential Districts Discussion Community Development Director Jagoe said that in November, 2023, the City Council reviewed Planning Case 23-018 from Mr. Wahlberg for a request to amend city ordinances to allow for ground -mounted solar energy systems in residential zoning districts. Based on discussions with Councilmember Monson, there are two draft ordinances for Council review. Attachment A removes screening requirements entirely and Attachment B is a modified version of screening requirements. Both revisions have been amended to allow for ground -mounted solar energy systems to be located in the side yard and remove language for glare and nonfunctioning systems. Councilmember Monson added that her preference is the no screening option but she believed the Council would want to go with some language for screening in case there was a problem. Overall, they are extremely difficult to screen, and screening could create problems for the facility. Councilmember Holden stated that you could have someone with a large yard so it wouldn't be visible from their house but the neighbor would look at it. If it doesn't reduce the efficiency, she thought they should be able to say there should be some screening. Councilmember Rousseau said the Planning Commission has concerns around this issue such as screening impacting the overall effectiveness, and additional costs. She was OK with removing the screening. Councilmember Fabel asked if the no screening option gave more discretion to the department to review each application? Community Development Director Jagoe replied that with the no screening option they wouldn't require or look for that, so the applicant wouldn't need to produce anything that said where they had fencing or trees. Councilmember Monson said in her experience of doing this for the last ten years you can't hide the systems, so she wouldn't ask people to spend more money to try to hide them. Councilmember Fabel said he would go along with that. Mayor Grant asked if they choose the option for some screening, could they waive the screening. Community Development Director Jagoe said yes, if the applicant can show that the screening reduced the efficiency of the system or the cost of the system was increased as a result, they could say it wouldn't be required; the language in Draft Ordinance #2 would allow that review. Mayor Grant said due to the many different kinds of lots in Arden Hills, he would rather have the screening and waive it than not have the screening and someone proposes something they felt required screening. ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY 8, 2024 10 Councilmember Holden asked if there was a number of units allowed. Community Development Director Jagoe said this would be considered a detached accessory structure so two would be the maximum. They would be limited to the lot coverage requirements just like any other accessory structure. They would evaluate it with whatever the zoning district requirements are to make sure they don't exceed the coverage requirements. Mayor Grant could go either way. As a practical matter they're mounted so high they are difficult to screen. He directed staff to move forward with one option and if they find the need to change it they can change it later. F. Work Session Priorities Mayor Grant asked for comments. Councilmember Rousseau said she was hoping to have the PTRC items on the February or March work session. She was also wondering about the accessory dwelling unit discussion. City Administrator Perrault said an application had come in so they have to discuss it. Community Development Director Jagoe added a resident had submitted a land use application so they are working with her. The language would be for the concept review to see if there was a willingness to allow for accessory dwelling units. Councilmember Holden asked to add infill, and discussion of a single person issue such as one person asking for ducks and it gets on the list. She would also like a building materials update. She also asked to have the list arranged in groups like committee things, management etc. Mayor Grant asked if they really need to talk about the Coon Rapids JPA. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said they normally do this time of year, but if Council was trusting of staff to handle the process he was OK dismissing the item. He did want to have discussion regarding Red Fox and Gray Fox, he would write a memo and if Council wanted to discuss they could bring it back. Councilmember Rousseau would like to talk about doing a community survey as well as the economic development vision for the City outside of Rice Creek Commons. City Administrator Perrault clarified that there were some items they were going to have to get to, and he would like Council to affirm the next work session items so they can agree to what is coming forward. Councilmember Monson asked if they could just give him a list of their own priorities and see if any of them happen to line up? Councilmember Rousseau thought that was a good idea. G. Monthly Committee/Commission Reports ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION — JANUARY 8, 2024 11 Not discussed. H. Rice Creek Commons/TCAAP Discussion Not discussed. I. Council Tracker Not discussed. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 6:50 p.m. Afth A J e Traub David Grant D puty City Clerk Mayor