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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 01-20-1994 I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I MINUTES CJ:TY OF ARDEN HJ:LLS, KJ:lIBESOTA WORXSESSJ:ON January 20, 1994 4:30 P.K. - Public Works Garage CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called to order the city Council worksession at 4:35 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale HiCkS, Paul Malone and Dennis Probst. Also present were: city Accountant, Terry Post; Community Planning Coordinator, Brian Fritsinger; Public Works Superintendent, Dan Winkel; Park & Recreation Director, Cynthia Severtson; City Administrator, Dorothy Person; Terry Maurer and Greg Stonehouse, City Engineers, and Recording Secretary, Renee Kaulfuss. ADOPT AGENDA KOTJ:ON: Probst moved, seconded by Aplikowski, to adopt the January 20, 1994 worksession agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). DJ:SCUSSJ:ON - SHEEHY LAND DONATJ:ON OFFER TO CJ:TY Brian Fritsinger informed the Council that Cindy Severtson, Dan Winkel and himself examined the property. Councilmember Probst also visited the site with staff. At this time staff believes the only possible use for this land would be as park space. Ms. Severtson referred to her memo enclosed with the packet and explained that the tennis court appears to be in need of repair. Previously, the Sheehys described the court area as fairly wet and broken up. This property is by definition a wetland area. Future use of the property is limited, but a floating walkway could possibly be constructed to connect the area to a park trail. councilmember Hicks asked when the tennis court was constructed. Ms. Severtson stated it was constructed in 1974 or 1975. Councilmember Hicks questioned whether the neighbors should be contacted to research if the neighborhood would be willing to preserve the tennis court and perhaps assume the cost to preserve the court. Ms. Severtson stated this could be an option if chosen by the Council. I I. I I I I I I . .. . . . . I I . .. . Arden Hills council 2 January 20, 1994 Councilmember Probst stated he is in favor of preservation of space and the City should take control of the property. Councilmember Malone stated he has no preference either way, however, this land is obviously going to be relinquished by the owner. Malone further stated he would rather have the City take control of the property over the County or a possible home being built on the property. The cost is minimal to the city to accept this property. The city should accept the land knowing the city will incur some expense. Councilmember Aplikowski agreed with the other Councilmembers. Councilmember Hicks questioned the expense of $1,500 to the city to take possession of this land. Mr. Winkel stated the disposal cost to remove the blacktop would be between $300-$500 and there would be a cost to remove the fence. councilmember Hicks once again stressed that the staff contact the neighbors. Councilmember Probst stated it would be appropriate to direct staff to research further the issues being addressed this evening, to draft an agreement between the city and the Sheehyts to be reviewed by Council. At a future date, this issue should be addressed to the Park & Recreation Committee. All councilmembers concurred. C. G. RILL - TIF DISCUSSION Brian Fritsinger informed the Council that he has been approached by a business looking to locate to Arden Hills. This company is looking to expand its operation and would like to obtain some TIF assistance. The company is a machine shop and employs approximately 35 people. They have stated that the business is self contained and utilizes no outside storage. The company is considering constructing a new building on the Control Data property, north of the frontage road. They are considering acquiring 4 acres and constructing approximately a 30,000 sq. ft. building. One possible problem with the proposal is that the Ordinance appears to require frontage on a road. This site would have access only through a permanent easement. A new TIF district would also have to be created to assist this company. Councilmember Hicks questioned whether this was an additional location for this business or would the business make a complete move to Arden Hills. Mr. Fritsinger stated the Arden Hills location would be the only location for this business. Malone I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I .e I Arden Hills Council 3 January 20, 1994 stated that the development would be better than the parking lot. The Council directed staff to investigate the use of TIF and to report back to Council at a later date. UPDATE - CITY BALL AND PUBLIC W01UtS FACILITY Councilmember Probst outlined the information received in the packet. Councilmember Probst is asking for direction from the Council whether they approve of the basic approach being presented. The three (3) meetings will be held at the Arsenal and will include public involvement. Councilmember Probst will participate in all three meetings. The Planning commission will also become involved at a later date to begin a long range concept plan of this parcel of land. Councilmember Probst stated the Army seemed to make it clear that they are going to be parceling this land out at some point. There are many serious environmental issues to deal with. On a positive note, Congressman Vento's office has assigned a person to work on this project. Brian Fritsinger questioned whether from an Economic Development perspective has TIF been considered for this area? He further noted that TIF has a 5 year window which could allow for improvements to be made anywhere within the district. If any improvements are made, the district would then be allowed to exist for the duration of the district's life. Councilmember Aplikowski questioned whether the Economic Development Committee would be invited to attend these three meetings? Ms. Person stated all the Commissions/Committees would receive a notice. Councilmember Malone suggested that the first paragraph of the "Immediate Release" be turned around to note a more positive approach. The "involvement in negotiations" is a negative approach to take in the first paragraph. staff noted the suggestion to be forwarded to Kate Huebsch. Ms. Person questioned whether the Council was opposed to a facilitator being present at the second meeting, working with the Environmental issues. Council concurred that a facilitator would be appropriate. llRDEN BILLS TOWNllOME ASSOCIATION - SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT APPEAL BEARING. . .. . . . . . . . .- I . . . . . I .- . Arden Hills Council 4 January 20, 1994 Jane Larson representing the Arden Hills Townhome Association, requesting on their behalf, an appeal of the Surface Management charge being assessed to all the residents of the Townhome Association. Engineer Terry Maurer and Public Works Superintendent, Dan Winkel stated that they have reviewed the criteria and based on current ordinance the fees have been determined appropriately. The appeal is based on the density of homes and total land area, rather than water run-off and soil types. Ms. Larson is suggesting that there should be a different rate established for each the south and the north portions of this development. Mr. Winkel further stated that 20% of the storm water run-off does not appear to be retained on the Townhouse property. According to Ordinance, an adjustment to surface water management fees could be considered if the individual parcel retains at least 20 percent of the water run-off. The soil is a hard packed clay causing water to run-off very quickly and into the storm sewer system or onto adjacent properties. Councilmember Hicks questioned whether the issue is a fee reduction based on information gathered by Ms. Larson from neighboring communities. Ms. Larson introduced herself and stated she agrees that they do not meet the 3 conditions as outlined in the Storm Water Appeal process. Ms. Larson further stated that based on run-off, the townhomes do not produce any more run-off than a single family home. Ms. Larson stated the charges are excessive in comparison to other cities. Ms. Larson questioned how the ordinance was established. This was explained to her. Arnie Delger, a townhome resident stated he is aware that their development is the least populated townhome development in the area, however, it is unfair to charge a higher rate per unit. This development has City trails going along their property and the development wanted to maintain the open space effect that the City wanted in their Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Sather departed the meeting at 5:40 p.m. and Acting Mayor Probst presided over the remainder of the meeting. Councilmember Hicks commented that the density per acre vs a single family home is similar, and agreed that this is a very low density development which is not standard for a towmhome development. Councilmember Hicks asked Ms. Larson what she I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I I- I Arden Hills Council 5 January 20, 1994 thought was a reasonable and fair solution. Discussion followed and it was noted that a decision is not made at a worksession and the recommendation would be made at the January 31, 1994 Council meeting. I:NFORn'1'I:ONAL IlEE'1'I:JIl'G - RELA'1'I:JIl'G '1'0 '1'BE 1994 PAVEHEJIl"l' MAI:JIl"1'EJIl'AJIl'CE I:MPRQVEHEJIl"1' PROJECT . Dan Winkel along with Engineers, Terry Maurer and Greg stonehouse, presented an overview of the streets being proposed for the 1994 Pavement Maintenance project. Explanations were given to the residents as to the process in a reconstruction project including time tables for the various stages. The calculations to determine the assessment amount were also explained to the residents. The residents were then instructed to break off into groups by street and either Mr. Winkel or one of the engineers would meet with them to discuss individual questions pertaining to their property. The next stage of the process including receiving the Feasibility Report and setting a Public Hearing date were explained. It was noted that the Feasibility Report would be received at the January 31, 1994 Council meeting. ADHI:JIl'I:STRA'1'OR COHMEJll"l'S Ms. Person reminded the Council of the Ramsey County public hearing scheduled for February 1, 1994 regarding the request for a driveway access to the Ashbach property. Ms. Person handed out the minutes from the various Committees. COUJll'CI:L COHMEJll"l'S Councilmember Hicks referred to a memo he received from staff regarding parking along County Road E. Councilmember Hicks directed staff to ask the City's legal counsel whether the city would accept any liability if they were to post temporary parking signs along County Road E. Councilmember Malone asked the Council if they would be agreeable to a time change for the January 31, 1994 closed meeting to 6:00 p.m., in lieu of, 5:30 p.m. Council concurred. MO'1'I:OJll': Malone moved, seconded by Hicks to schedule the January 31, 1994 Closed Council meeting session for 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing union negotiation issues. Motion carried unanimously (4-0) I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I . . .e I Arden Hills Council 6 January 20, 1994 Councilmember Probst commented that he will be unable to attend the Park & Recreation Committee meeting on January 25, 1994. Councilmember Hicks stated he would attend on his behalf. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Thomas R. Sather, Mayor Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator