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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 07-10-1995 I Ie I I I I I I I I' I I I I I I I. I I MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN Hll..LS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCll.. MEETING JULY 10, 1995 7:30 P.M. - NEW BRIGHTON CITY HALL CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof; Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:31 p.m. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst; Councilmembers Beverly ApJikowski, Dale Hicks, Paul Malone and Susan Keirn. Also present were: City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; City Accountant, Terry Post; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Parks Director, Cindy Walsh; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; and Recording Secretary, Ruth McLaurin. ADOPT AGENDA City Administrator Fritsinger noted the addition of Resolution #95-55, Supporting the Efforts of the Irondale Dugout Club. Councilmember Malone suggested this item be entered under the Consent Agenda as item D. MOTION: Hicks moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the July 10, 1995 City Council meeting as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROVAL OF COUNCll.. MINUTES June 26, 1995 City Administrator Fritsinger noted a change to page two, the last line, it should read: * Stowe A venue reconstruction rates will be $31.95 per lineal foot. which is less than the ori~inal tate of $32.50 per lineal foot. Councilmember Malone noted a change to page two, paragraph three: II..., the City is able to assess taxes to benefitting properties. II he noted taxes to should be eliminated. Councilmember Malone also noted on page 19, paragraph two, 1I...a session is defined as four, one hour sessions,...1I should read II a session is defined as a four hour session....1I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I Ie I I ARDEN HILLS CI]Y COUNCIL -JULY 10, 1995 2 Councilmember Malone noted on page 21, last paragraph, "no practical need for a water ban in Arden Hills, because of the well systems." should read "no practical need for a water ban in Arden Hills, because it's source of sup .,pI v is the St. Paul Water Utili1;y." Mayor Probst noted on page six, paragraph four, the date should be changed from 1992 to 1990. MOTION: Keirn moved and Hicks seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the June 26, 1995 regular City Council meeting as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5- 0). CONSENT CALENDAR A. ClaimslPayroll B. Adopt Resolutiou 95-52, Resolution relating to Apportionment of Assessmeuts Relating to Improvement No. W-78-5. C. Adopt Resolution 95-53, Resolution relating to Apportionment of Assessments Relating to Improvement No. ST -81-2. D. Adopt Resolution 95-55, Resolution supporting the efforts of the Irondale Dugout Club. MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented, and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried llnRnimously (5-0). PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Probst invited the audience to address the City Council with questions or concerns regarding issues not already on the agenda Hearing no public comments, Mayor Probst moved on to the next item on the agenda UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS Adopt Resolution 95-54. National Guard Water/Sewer Connection Agreement. City Administrator Fritsinger briefly reviewed the request for connection to municipal water and sewer from the National Guard. Mr. Fritsinger indicated this issue has been studied for the last several months. In June, 1995, the Arden Hills City Council agreed to participate in this project to an amount between $16,875 and $19,875. The level of participation was to be determined based on the oversizing of the public sanitary sewer lift station and whether or not a ten or twelve inch watermain was necessary. I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I. I I .ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -JULY 10. 1995 3 Mr. Fritsinger indicated the City Engineer believes a twelve inch watermain is more appropriate than a ten inch. He noted staff is still awaiting confirming data from the National Guard, indicating that a ten inch watermain would be adequate for their needs. Mr. Fritsinger pointed out there will be a $25,000 connection fee charged to the National Guard. This fee will be paid in two installments one of $5,000 at the start and $20,000 to be paid in 1997. Councilmember Hicks noted in regards to the letter received on July 10, 1995, it is the National Guard's opinion the ten inch pipe would be sufficient. He inquired if the City is anticipating development that would require twelve inch piping. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the City Engineer's recommendation is to use a twelve inch watermain. Staffhas requested computations from the National Guard, to show their basis for using a ten inch watermain. Mayor Probst indicated the Council had previously talked about oversizing the pipe because of the potential joint public works facility and any future looping etc. would be better served by a twelve inch watermain. Mr. Fritsingerpointed out the contribution of the City would not exceed the $19,875. This amount would include the twelve inch watermain. MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Malone seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 95-54, approving the water/sewer Connection Agreement with the National Guard subject to receipt of a signed Connection Agreement from the National Guard. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Presbyterian Homes Revenue Bond Refinancing Request City Administrator Fritsinger indicated the City has received a request from Presbyterian Homes to consider the approval of a Health Care Revenue Bond in the amount of $2,250,000. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the City in late 1991 and early 1992 approved action which permitted the refinancing of an existing Revenue Bond issued for Presbyterian Homes. Currently, the City records show an outstanding debt remaining on these Revenue Bonds of$619,000. Mr. Fritsinger pointed out these funds will be used exclusively for the operations in Arden Hills. There will be some savings to the residents of Sutton Place as a result of this refinancing. Mr. Fritsinger indicated staff recommends the Council schedule a Public Hearing on Monday, August 14, 1995 at 7:30 p.m. I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ,ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -JULY 1 OJ 995 4 , Councilmember Hicks inquired if there would be any site improvements that would require an amendment to the Special Use Permit. Mr. Fritsinger indicated there would not be a need for an amendment to the Special Use Permit. Mr. Dan Lindh, a representative of Presbyterian Homes, indicated there would be no additions or changes other than those previously approved by the City Council. Mayor Probst inquired for clarification, if there were any additional costs to the City. Mr. Fritsinger noted there would be no additional cost to the City. Councilmember Malone indicated he had no concerns for setting the Public Hearing, but expressed concern for notifying any buyers that the City is not backing the bonds. Mr. Lindh indicated they would fully disclose the information and would want the City Attorney to review and approve any docnmentation. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion scheduling a Public Hearing on Monday, August 14, 1995, at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed Bond sale. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). County Road F Change Orders City Administrator Fritsinger reviewed a Change Order for two projects related to the County Road F reconstruction project. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the Rice Creek Watershed District is requiring the City to install a Grit Chamber to control the storm sewer runoff. The Grit Chamber will be located on Valentine Park, at a cost of approximately $27,845. Mr. Fritsinger pointed out this is a new requirement not previously requested by RCWD. The Mounds View School District has also made a request to the City to connect to the Arden Hills sanitary sewer line as part of the County Road F reconstruction project. During a meeting this past week the School District indicated they would pay the City directly for this improvement, rather than pursue a Petition of Assessment. The cost of this is estimated at $21,683. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the School District currently receives its sanitary sewer service from the City of New Brighton. Apparently, the existing line to New Brighton is of an age where the potential exists to incur substantial costs if a problem were to arise. Mr. Fritsinger indicated staff recommends approval of these Change Orders subject to the contractors approval of these Change Orders. I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I Ie I I bRJ)EN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -JULY 10. 1995 5 Councilmember Hicks expressed concern that the Grit Chambers be secured similar to those near Valentine Elementary, so they are safe. Mr. Fritsinger indicated it was his understanding they would be secured in the same manner. Councilmember Malone inqnired as to how the Grit Chambers would be maintained and cleaned. Mr. Fritsinger indicated he was unsure if the City would need to hire outside help or not, he indicated he would confirm this with the City Engineer. Councilmember Malone indicated the cost of maintenance will need to also be considered in regards to total cost of the project. Councilmember Malone inqnired if there would be any capacity concerns regarding the Mounds View High School connection. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the City Engineer had no concerns. Mayor Probst inquired if the School District is currently paying ntility fees. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the district is currently paying for water consumption to Arden Hills and fees for sanitary sewer treatment to New Brighton. Mayor Probst inquired if the cost for Grit Chambers is included in the cost of improvements to Stowe Avenue. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the Engineer is aware of the need for a grit chamber on Stowe Avenue but would have to confirm if cost's have been included. MOTION: Malone moved and Keim seconded a motion to approve Change Orders subject to the contractors approval of these Change Orders. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Probst expressed frustration that the County Road F project has not been a model project. He requested staff strongly express the sentiments of the Council and residents to the contractor and engineer and indicate they will have to do better in the future. Authorize Distribution of Ol!l'en EA W. Community Development Director Ringwald briefly explained the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA W) is an informational source and is not designed to answer aye or nay for the proposed project, but rather to provide information and establish if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary. Mr. Ringwald indicated although an EA W may also accomplish other purposes, (provide permit information, inform the public about a project, help identify ways to protect the environment from harm) but the primary legal purpose is to provide the information necessary for decision on the need for an EIS. I I. . I I I I I I .e . I I . . I Ie I . ~ENHILLS CITY COUNCIL -JULY 10. 1995 6 Mr. Ringwald indicated the next step in the process is City Council authorization to distribute the EA W. If the City Council authorizes the distribution of the EA W, then the Staff would: 1) Submit the EAW to the EQB Staff for publication in the EQB Monitor on July 31,1995; 2) Distribute the EA W to the necessary agencies, departments and persons pursuant to Minnesota Rules, Chapter 45410.1500A; 3) Provide a copy of the EA W to any other person upon their written request pursuant to Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4410.1500 A(12); 4) Distribute a press release to the Focus News pursuant to Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4410.1 500B; and; 5) Conduct a public information meeting to gather comments on the EA W, as recommended by Minnesota Rules 4410.1600. Mr. Ringwald indicated the information meeting is not a requirement, but staff felt it appropriate. Mr. Ringwald indicated public comment will be open for thirty days from time of publication, or July 31,1995 to August 30,1995. After the close of the public comment the City Council will be requested to decide if an ErS is necessary. The decision of the City Council may be appealed. Mayor Probst noted a letter dated July 10, 1995 from Mr. Tom Casey, lawyer representing the Neighbors of Valentine Lake. Mr. Mark Chapin, 3947 Rolling Hills Road, read into the record a letter noting objections to the manner in which the EA W was conducted and requested the City Council have the consultant answer their questions prior to moving forward with the EA W process. Councilmember Malone indicated the purpose for the draft EA W is to receive comment, it is not to answer all questions. He felt criticism regarding the research for the EA W can be expressed during the public comment portion of the process. He felt the process should move forward. Mr. Jeff Smyser from RLK Associates, indicated he is responsible for the preparation of the draft EA W and feels the document is appropriate, although it may not be entirely complete, but the goal of the draft EA W was to establish a baseline for review of the document. Mr. Ringwald indicated he appreciated all comments made by the public and encouraged continued comments. Mayor Probst indicated with this process the City is trying to identify the general nature of the project and to establish if there is sufficient evidence to support an EIS. Councilmember ApJikowski inquired if there would be an additional cost if there is a need for archaeological digging. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that would be correct. MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to Authorize staff to distribute the EA W, pursuant to Minnesota Rules Chapter 4410. The motion carried IInanimously (5-0). I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I Ie I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -JULY 10~1995 7 Councilmember Malone inquired if a date should be set for the informational meeting. Mr. Ringwald indicated staff can set the date in the future, it would be sometime during the middle of the public comment period. He indicated the public will be notified. Councilmember ApJikowski indicated the meeting should be held at four or five in the afternoon. Nancy Levine Assessment Appeal City Administrator Fritsinger indicated Ms. Levine's original Assessment Notice included an assessment for 200 feet of front footage. Upon further review this footage was found to be incorrect and should be revised to 174 feet. Based on the direction given to staff at the June 26, 1995 Council meeting, a revised Assessment was prepared for Ms. Levine in the amount of $5,559.30. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to deny the appeal of Ms. Nancy Levine, 1926 Stowe Avenue, based on incorrect footage, and directed staff to adjust the assessment roll with the correct assessment. Mayor Probst indicated at the previous Council meeting it was also noted that the additional days given to Ms. Levine could not be used as an objection in the appeal process in District Court. Councilmember Malone accepted this comment as an amendment to his motion. ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS City Administrator Fritsinger had no comments at this time. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Aplikowski requested a meeting of the City Council and staff to review issues such as: Public Relations of the City, the Assessment process, and various other issues. Councilmember Aplikowski welcomed the new Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Stafford, with the Council joining her in welcoming him. Councilmember Hicks indicated he would miss the July 20th worksession and the July 31 st regular Council meeting and the August 2nd Planning Commission meeting. Councilmember Malone reminded staffhe would also be gone on July 31st. Mayor Probst indicated staff will be presenting four proposals to the Reutilization Committee and Congressman Vento on Saturday, July 15, 1995. He continues to believe the interested parties have more common goals than differences. I I. I I I I I I I I~ I I I I I I Ie I I ,4.RDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -JULY 10, 1995 8, Mayor Probst inquired if any new information regarding the Town Crier had been received by the Council. Mr. Fritsinger indicated he had spoken with Mr. Hoelscher briefly and his goal is a August publication. Councilmember Aplikowski also indicated she would be speaking with Mr. Hoelscher the next day. Councilmember Aplikowski inquired if it was still the goal of the City to establish a committee regarding the Town Crier. Mayor Probst indicated it was the City's intent to establish a committee. ADJOURN MOTION: Malone moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. The motion carried nnRnimously (5-0). NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next regular Council meeting will be held July 31,1995, at 7:30 p.m., at New Brighton City Hall.