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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-19-1994 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 MAY 19, 1994 4:35 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 4:35 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Paul Malone, Dennis Probst and Dale Hicks. Also present were: City Accountant, Terry Post; Park & Recreation Director, Cynthia Severtson; Public Works Superintendent, Dan Winkel; and City Administrator, Dorothy Person. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Probst, to adopt the May 19, 1994 worksession agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). REVIEW PRELIMINARY 1993 YEAR END AUDIT REPORT Steve McDonald of Abdo, Abdo & Eick was introduced by City Accountant, Terry Post. Abdo, Abdo & Eick is the City'S consulting audit firm. Council had been provided with the 1993 Year End Audit Report and Management Letter prepared by Abdo, Abdo & Eick. McDonald drew attention to the general fund, which has a fund balance of $313,763. He explained that the formula for fund balance indicates that $800,000 would be a more sufficient fund balance than the current balance. The purpose of the fund balance is to have working capital to finance expenditures for the first six months of the next year. Only the anticipated revenue that was received from general property taxes was reviewed. This is due primarily to commercial and industrial property re- evaluations and petitions and abatements paid out by the I " I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I I. I Arden Hills Worksession 2 May 19, 1994 Ramsey County. There is no long term outstanding debt at this time for year end. In 1994 the City levied $12,285 to eliminate the deficit in the fire equipment certificate indebtedness fund. This levy may be used for any public purpose. The capital projects (Lexington Avenue project) fund balance is $93,512.00, which remains to be used for the City's portion of the completion of the County Road I project. The TIF fund was reduced by $42,684 at year end due to tax increments collected and was applied to the balance of the PIR fund. Water and sewer funds are reported improved. In 1993, Surface Water Management Fund was established and retained earnings of $83,737 at year end. The amount of $65,404 was transferred to the PIR Fund to reimburse an unassessed portion of the Keithson Pond expenditures. The Council asked for various explanations and clarifications to specific funds which were explained by McDonald. McDonald also indicated that due to the City Accounting staff's preparation work, the time taken normally in the report preparation was significantly reduced. LAKE JOHANNA FIRE DEPARTMENT Lake Johanna Fire Chief Dan Winkel reported to the Council that the Department has been informally approached by the Army Reserve to provide fire protection for the Army Reserve facility. Administrator Person noted that the Army Reserve request for retrocession has not been pursued since April. The Army may review other possibilities for police and fire protection, such as a directed service contract. Tom Sather noted that the Reserve building has had a sprinklering system installed so that there does not seem to be the same fire exposure that the TCAAP land has for the fire department. Council discussed the pros and cons of the Lake Johanna Fire I' I. I I . . . . . .e . I I . I . I .. . Arden Hills Worksession 3 May 19, 1994 Department contracting for service, including being paid directly by the Army for fire services provided. Council indicated that the long term effects of the Fire Department providing the service directly could be beneficial to the City. The Fire Department will update the City as soon as new information is available. They have not been contacted by the Army to date. The Administrator will continue to be in contact with the Army regarding other options, such as contracting of services. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION UPDATE Bev Aplikowski, on behalf of the Human Rights Commission presented the Commissions's Mission Statement which was reviewed by Council. Identified goals were cultural awareness, communication to the public of the Eastern Culture and their cultural diversity. Council noted that the membership of the Commission is decreasing in addition to limited issues that have been identified. Aplikowski indicated that the regional Human Rights Commission's Saturday, May 21st program is being held at the Ramada Inn and will address the issue of diversity. Council believed that there has been a lack of information on this project. Aplikowski indicated that the present Committee has indicated their unhappiness in meeting at the Army Reserve, and that they would prefer to meet at their homes as previously done. They continue to request staff assistance. Council concurred that there seems to be fewer human rights issues in Arden Hills. Aplikowski indicated the commission will not meet until September. Council asked that this issue be addressed at one of the next Council meetings. Dick Roessler. Chairman from the Public Works and Public Safety Committee - COMMITTEE UPDATE Roessler reviewed the Public Safety/Public Works comments on their mission statement. They also reviewed the 1994 I " I. I I I I I I I Ie I I . . . . I .. . Arden Hills Worksession 4 May 19, 1994 objectives which include: water meter evaluation, snow removal on sidewalks and trails, public safety trends, and police and fire department protection contracts. council generally agreed with the 1994 objectives and the Mission Statement from the Public Works committee. They asked for: 1.lfurther input as issues come up and; 2.) that the Committee give further input as the Committee begins working on different items. Council indicated that the fire department is in an area that they are particularly concerned about and would like the Committee to look at from time to time. Leslie Goldsmith also attended this portion of the meeting. She asked what had been the results of the striping lane request for Lexington. Dan Winkel indicated that this is being reviewed in conjunction with other upcoming maintenance work. Hicks also suggested that the committee might also want to look at the striping along County Road E, at speed controls, park lanes, turning lanes and parking areas. DAVE SAND. CHAIRMAN. PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE - COMMITTEE UPDATE Sand reviewed the Mission Statement which he stated was developed three or four years ago. Councilmember Malone asked whether this was a department or a committee statement. He indicated that the Mission Statement should reflect the Committee's purpose, and suggested that this needs to be a representation of the citizens, with recommendations to the Council. Sand reviewed the Park Fund uses in the past and potential uses in the future. Discussion followed with Council regarding the amount of money which could be utilized by Perry Park. Sand explained that the $200,000 needed for Perry Park would be an outdoor matching recreation grant, to .' " .. . . . . I . . .e . I . . . . . .. . Arden Hills Worksession 5 May 19, 1994 be utilized in the development of Perry Park. If this grant was not approved and finalized, the City Park Fund will not be used for this purpose. Further discussion followed regarding the number of people who use parks, the amount of money that should be used on one facility, or for trails. Council generally concurred that liability issues such as washouts at Perry Park, were a logical item to be addressed. Council stated that they see Arden Hills' residents being the primary users of our city parks and therefore their needs are our primary concern. Severtson indicated that the majority of those who use Perry Park are from Arden Hills. Little League uses include opposing teams from other cities. Hicks also indicated that it would be important to review costs per City park. Parks have been done per development, and the City should review how the dollars have been used. This will show the dollars put in for area residents. Malone indicated that the Council never designated any specific amount to be used out of the park fund. He indicated it seems obvious that there will be very little replenishment of the park fund once it has been depleted. Sand indicated that they are working on the legal items of identifying trail easements in order to have future planning for trails, trail connections, and to provide future planning for TCAAP. Sand indicated that in 1985 the Park Feasibility Study was completed which identified gateways such County Road E and Lexington Avenue (which is now being improved), and also at County Road D, and E2 at Cleveland. The Park Committee indicated that they need to do planning on those two areas. RAMSEY COUNTY P'lIBLIC WORKS-PAUL ICiRKWOLD &: TIM MAYASICH - COUNTY ROAD UPDATE I. " I. I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I- I Arden Hills Worksession 6 May 19, 1994 Kirkwold stated that residents on Stowe Avenue were inadvertently notified by the County that they will have a County Road Project of recycling their pavement within the month. He indicated that since the City had not been involved on that decision, they are now looking to the City for some input. The City has some concerns for the west side of New Brighton Road regarding sewer placement, and would like to have time to consider improvements. On the east side of New Brighton Road the County is ready to recycle unless the City gives it other indication. Review was made of the current road level, review of the County's priority system, and discussion of the level 90 county turnback system. The City agreed that at this time the residents will be contacted by the County to advise them that the project will be delayed. The Council will continue to review this project or to ask for further discussion at June 13th Council meeting. Council reviewed possible needs for curb and gutter on the east side of New Brighton Road on Stowe Avenue, and decided against curb and gutter in a recycling project. Council also asked for further information on any effect on delay of the turnback system including any financial affect. The City will also review with their Engineer the possible effects in assessments to the citizens on Stowe Avenue both east and west. They also discussed the possibility of doing the road east of New Brighton Road prior to finishing the Stowe Avenue on the west side of New Brighton Road. Concern on both sides is any drainage issues that may be present. The County also just brought to the table the issue of County Road F and the turnback of County Road F with reconstruction. Reconstruction planning is expected to begin soon, within 1994 - 1995 time period, with additional discussion regarding cost breakdown needed. (Mayor Sather left the meeting at this time.) STAFF ISSUES The City Administrator and Councilmembers discuss the recent turnover in the City, causes and effects on staff. The I, I. I I . . I . . I. I I I . . . I .e I , . Arden Hills Worksession 7 May 19, 1994 Administrator and Council agreed that more intense efforts towards team building and strengthening the working relationships will take place. Further update will be given at the June worksession. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. ~ ~4i,tI- Thomas R. Sather, Mayor Administrator c:P