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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-21-1994 I I fj I I I I I I ,. I I I I I I I Ie I MnroTES CITY OF ARDEN BILLS, MINNESOTA WORXSESSION April 21, 1994 4:41 P.M. - Public Works Lunchroom CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called to order the City Council worksession at 4:30 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Paul Malone, Dennis Probst and Dale Hicks. Also present were: Community Planning Coordinator, Brian Fritsinger; Park & Recreation Director, Cynthia Severtson; City Administrator, Dorothy Person; and Recording Secretary, Renee Kaulfuss. ADOPT AGENDA Malone moved, seconded by Probst, to adopt 21, 1994 worksession agenda as submitted. carried unanimously (5-0). MILEAGE REIMBUR912M1m'1' the April Motion MOTION: Administrator Person noted that the current IRS rate for mileage reimbursement was $.29 per mile, and staff requested that the City raise the rate for mileage reimbursement to $.29 per mile from the current $.24 per mile. Council concurred that it was reasonable to increase the rate to $.29 per mile for mileage reimbursement. DISEASED TREE BID UPDATE Administrator Person noted Council had previously received information that the City only received one diseased tree bid, and the bid was high. Staff was directed to pursue quotes from various tree removal services. Staff had received a verbal quote from Arps Tree Service that was comparable to last year's prices. Staff was waiting for a written confirmation from Arps Tree Service. STOP SIGN POLICY PROCEDURE UPDATE Administrator Person noted that the Stop Sign Policy revisions had not been reviewed at the March Public Works/Safety Committee meeting as only three people were in attendance. The revisions would be reviewed at the April I I , I I I I I I .. I I I I I I I Ie I Arden Hills Council April 2~, ~994 2 27, ~994 Public Works/Safety Committee meeting. CITY COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION FEEDBACK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Councilmember Aplikowski, liaison to this committee, introduced the Chair, Arnold Lindberg, Vice Chair, Jerry Moehnke and member Mary Miller. She explained that the committee's primary goal had been to conduct a business survey, and they recently sent out 350 surveys to the businesses in the area. To date they had received approximately ~oo responses. She noted that the committee met earlier that day and had some positive feedback to bring to the Council. The three committee members present outlined the goals and priorities of the committee. The first goal was to reach the businesses that addressed concerns on the survey. There were ten (~O) surveys returned that expressed concerns. These businesses would receive a personal contact within the next thirty (30) days by one of the committee members. It was also suggested that a sub-committee could be formed to assist with contacting the businesses. The next goal would be to reach the businesses who addressed the need to move or expand. It was explained that the committee would be setting up a networking system to get businessowners to communicate with each other. An example was given if Company A needed to expand and the committee was aware that Company B needed to down size, they could work together to reach suitable locations for both Company A and Company B. The committee would like to work with staff to design a marketing packet to promote Arden Hills. Mayor Sather asked if the committee researched the possibility of working with the school district to assist young men and women seeking employment. The committee would research this lead. The next goal was to respond to every business who completed the survey with a letter of thanks. The last goal noted for ~994 would be for the committee members to collect information as to the availability of I I , I I I I I I .. I I I I I I I Ie I Arden Hills Council 3 April 21, 1994 open space in Arden Hills and to review the City's Comprehensive Plan. Council expressed their desire that the Committee members send a message to the businesses that although the Council was committted to adhering to strict Zoning regulations, they are pro-business. The Council further expressed that they were quite pleased with the progress this committee had made in such a short time. The members were thanked for attending the meeting, their input was appreciated, and their goals and mission statement were acceptable, and appropriate. PLANNING COMMISSION Councilmember Hicks, liaison to the Planning Commission noted that the Commission met last evening, and it was noted at the meeting that no members would be attending the worksession. He further noted that the Planning Commission members felt that staff liaison, Brian Fritsinger would be able to present their goals and mission statement to the Council. Mr. Fritsinger provided a handout outlining the goals as discussed at the April 20, 1994 Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Fritsinger had been asked by Chair Winiecki to review the mission statement from the City of Apple Valley, and review how it may apply to Arden Hills. Planning Commission Vice Chair, Barbara piotrowski arrived and noted that she was not present to review the goals and mission statement of the Planning Commission, however, she had another matter she wanted to address to the Council. Ms. Piotrowski explained that she and Planning Commission member Ray McGraw had been in discussions over the past three months regarding a process of contacting businesses to entice them to relocate to Arden Hills along the Lexington Avenue sites. To get started with this process, they wanted to request that the Mayor appoint them to this task, along with the City providing to them the needed funds to print letters of introduction, calling cards and an expense account to take prospects out for lunch. They also requested approval to be able to work with John Bergly, as they felt he had the time and knowledge of the Arden Hills community. She further noted that they felt Mr. Fritsinger was too busy to assist with this process due to his other job responsibilities. I I ~ I I I I I I ~ I I I I I I I ~ I Arden Hills Council April 21, 1994 4 Councilmember Hicks stated he had been approached with this idea of promoting Arden Hills by Mr. McGraw. He noted his reaction to Mr. McGraw's request was that any resident can promote Arden Hills, and would not need to be appointed by the Council. Discussion followed and it was noted that this would be a conflict of interest for Planning Commission members to actively pursue new businesses to locate to Arden Hills. As Planning Commission members they would not be able to make any commitments on behalf of the City. The Council suggested that perhaps, both Mr. McGraw and Ms. piotrowski could be subcommittee members to the Economic Development Committee, as they are looking for people to assist them in their pursuit of relocating new businesses to Arden Hills. It was explained to Ms. Piotrowski that the Economic Development Committee had very different functions than the Planning Commission within the community, and that ultimately, the Planning Commission would review any prospects being sought by the Economic Development Committee. Councilmember Aplikowski asked who would decide when John Bergly's services would be needed. Ms. piotrowski explained that they would need the site and road plans available to them. Discussion followed and it was noted that Mr. Fritsinger would be able to provide any plans to potential prospects. Mayor Sather noted that the Administrator was responsible for costs and would determine when the services of John Bergly or any other costs items would be appropriate. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed her disappointment that Mr. McGraw had not approached her with this idea, as he was appointed the liaison to the Economic Development Committee. Ms. Piotrowski explained that the Economic Development Committee is a new committee, and it was expressed to the Planning Commission members that this committee would not be ready to pursue new contacts for 18-24 months. She further noted that she and Mr. McGraw had time now to pursue new business interests, and that this process needs to be addressed now, and not 18 months from now. I I ~ I I I I I I .. I I I I I I I Ie I Arden Hills Council April 21, 1994 5 Ms. piotrowski stated she had already made an initial contact with one business who might be interested in locating to Arden Hills, and she wanted to proceed with pursuit of this business. Mayor Sather stated he was acceptable to Mr. McGraw and Ms. piotrowski pursuing new businesses relocating to Arden Hills, however, he would like to revisit this concept by year end. He indicated that any site plans or development information was to be forwarded by the Planning Coordinator and costs must be preapproved by the Administrator. He further noted the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with the Economic Development Committee members. Ms. Piotrowski thanked the Council for their time. Councilmember Probst noted his disappointment that the Planning Commission members would not take the time to visit with the Council to discuss their goals and mission statement. He further stated that the Commission members had previously noted their agreement of meeting with the Council a couple of times per year, and in fact, were in favor of this open line of communication. This had not happened. Council concurred, and expressed the need to further discuss the future of this Commission, specifically their duties and responsibilities. FINANCE COMMITTEE Councilmember Malone, liaison to the Finance Committee introduced the Finance Committee Chair, chuck Mertensotto. Mr. Mertensotto stated this committee had two new members appointed recently and their input was much appreciated. Mr. Mertensotto stated the mission statement and goals were given to staff liaison, Terry Post. Mr. Post was unable to attend the meeting, therefore a copy of the mission statement and goals would be provided to the Council at a later date. He stated the direction this committee had taken was to review areas in which the City could reduce the expense of employee salaries and benefits. He explained that the community tax base had decreased tremendously, and as residents in the community, they need to review how to cut costs in City services, as the taxpayers in the community do not want to see large property tax increases in the future. The Committee would be working with the staff to identify possible cost savings in staff areas, as well as income I I , I I I I I I .. I I I I I I I Ie I Arden Hills Council April 21, 1994 6 improvement areas. Mr. Mertensotto was thanked for his time and Council concurred with this Committee's goals. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Probst noted that Ramsey County had apparently reached a point that they were ready to review their interest in pursuing land on the TCAAP property for a shared Public Works facility. Ramsey County was researching a possible location in Roseville for their needed facility. Administrator Person noted that staff had looked at three existing buildings on the TCAAP property that could possibly be used for a Public Works and Parks maintenance facility. Ms. Severtson noted that the Fire Station building, and TCAAP's previous Public Works maintenance building were too small to house all the City's equipment. The third building which was used as an assembly building had a large door that would allow the City's large equipment entrance into the building. It could be appropriate to add another door to this building. This building had never been used as a maintenance facility, however, the City could move their existing inventory of tools, etc., to this site. This building is located close to the County Road I exit. At one time it looked like there was direct access to this building, however, it was now gated off. Council asked the Administrator if the Army was looking to lease space or if they wanted the space purchased. The Administrator noted that there would be space available in the Administration Building #105 for City offices. The rates need to be negotiated, but probably would be Government Center rates, and both options of leasing or buy out were available. The Army would be open to an "In Kind" service vs cash, such as fire and police protection, snow plowing, etc. Councilmember Probst noted that it would be appropriate to put the City Hall property back on the tax roll if the current City Hall land would be put on the market for sale. Councilmember Malone noted that the monthly interest off of the sale of the current City Hall location, could possibly pay the monthly expense for the TCAAP site for City facilities. Councilmember Probst asked if staff had received any updates from Everest. Mr. Fritsinger stated that he received a I I ~ I I I I I I .. I I I I I I I I' I Arden Hills Council April 21, 1994 7 message that Everest had put an agreement together, however, he had yet to speak with anyone at Everest. Mr. Fritsinger stated he had received a phone call from Ryan Construction who was pursuing a location for a company that markets catalog merchandising. This business would need 200,000 square feet initially, with room to expand to 300,000 square feet. This business would employ 150 people initially, with employment of 700 people during their busy season which was July through December. Councilmember Probst stated the Council needed to extend this conversation at a later date as to what level of patience the Council had to wait for an agreement to be formalized with Everest. Councilmember Hicks noted that he was not aware of the intent of Ms. piotrowski to address the Council regarding pursuing an appointment for contacting businesses. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6 :57 p.m. Thomas R. Sather, Mayor Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator