Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 07-20-1995 I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I I- I MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION JULY 20, 1995 4:30 P.M. - CITY HALL - PUBLIC WORKS LUNCHROOM CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereot; Mayor Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 4:35 P.M. Present: Counci1members Beverly Aplikowski, Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; City Accountant, Teny Post; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Park & Recreation Director, Cynthia Walsh; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Tim Nelson and Rob Davidson, Everest Development; Department Secretary, Julie Tostenson. Susan Keirn and Dale Hicks arrived late. AGENDA ADOPTION Agenda was revised with the order of items as follows: 3-c, 3d, 3a, & 3b. 3-c. EVEREST DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger, stated that the negotiation deadline established by the City Council was July 15, 1995. There have been several deadlines set over the last few years. Staff met with Everest this morning, (July 20, 1995) and was unable to reach an agreement. The key issues with staff are the assembly of the site, the timing of acquisition & overall areas being in control of the project. Tim Nelson, Everest Development, stated that they are proposing to control 66% of the project area prior to requiring city participation. They recognize that a full I 00% assembly of the site is critical to the project. The risk of acquiring all parcels has led to the decision of only partial assembly. The three pieces of property that are expected to be the hardest to obtain would be: 1.) ATS Steel 2.) Binger\ McFarlane 3.) Harstad Counci1member Malone stated the part of the difficulty he was having with the 66%, is the timing. There was a lot of time spent on negotiations, deadlines went by and more extensions were given. I I. I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I- I 2 Rob Davidson, Everest Development, stated that 66% was arrived at because not all three of the parcels hold the potential to be acquired and be developed. Everest would like control over the site before asking the City for condemnation. Tim Nelson, Everest Development, stated that it is difficult to negotiate with property owners when you don't have a development agreement in place. Councilmember Malone stated that the City has spent a lot of time on this project and needs to make decision. Councilmember Keirn stated that the City should get on with it and start all over and Councilmember Aplkowski agreed it's time to make a decision. Rob Davidson, Everest Development, requested a 30 day extension to resolve the issues with the staff. Councilmember Malone stated that he is not interested in an extension, it should not take as many years as it has to come to agreement and the City should move forward. Councilmember Aplkowski agreed. Council agreed to terminate negotiations with Everest and requested that staffbe prepared to present options for moving forward in the near future. 3-d TeAAP DISCUSSION City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger stated that Joyce Levine, Camiros, and the team have been working on traffic, fiscal and market issues for the four concept plans. These plans were described for the City Council. Mr. Fritsinger further stated that the presentation to Congressman Vento's Reutilization Committee went very well. There is also a TCAAP Open House scheduled for July 27, 1995 to review the four concept plans. The Council is invited to attend. Mayor Probst stated that staff needs some direction from Council to pursue potential options that may exist. The Council supported the study of the BRAC process and other potential methods of funding or land transfer. I I. I I I I I I I I- I I I I I I I I. I 3-a .' 3 1996 BUDGET Lake Johanna Fire Denartment Don Szurek from the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department presented the Departments five (5) year capital plan. Members of the Council expressed concern about some of the figures on the proposed plan. There are some issues that have to be worked out on the proposed Five Year Plan. Law Enforcement Contract City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger stated there is a proposed 4.55% increase for Arden Hills. Staff expects this to be reduced further as budget discussions are held with Ramsey County. It was determined that the three main areas responsible for bringing up the budget are: l. COPS AHEAD Program 2. Increase price in squad cars 3. Training increases Mayor Probst asked if Council was comfortable with the proposed budget from the Ramsey County Sheriff Department. The City Council directed staff to continue to pursue cuts, but accepted the 4.55% figure as a starting point. General Budget Discussion Issues Mayor Probst stated that if there are any problems with any of the budget issues they will be discussed at the July 31, 1995 Council meeting. Staff presented a number of potential changes in the upcoming budget. Once a formal budget is prepared these items will be addressed in more depth. ADMlNISTRATORlDEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENTS City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger stated that there is someone else interested in the Binger\McFarJane Properties and that the Council would be hearing about these contacts at a later date. Parks & Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh referenced a memo regarding the former Sheehy properties. The residents want to keep the tennis courts and have proposed paying for upkeep if the City would maintain the court. I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I 4 COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Probst stated that staff met with Hunter's Park regarding the Assessment Hearing, most in attendance appeared to agree with what the City has recommended for the assessment. Councilmember Aplikowski asked if the City is definitely done negotiating with Everest? City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger stated that based on Council direction, negotiations have been tenninated, unless Everest comes forward to staff and wants to consider acquisition of 100% of the site. MOTION: Council Member Keim moved and seconded by Councilmember Aplikowski to adjourn the work session. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). The work session adjourned at 10:00 PM.