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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 06-16-1994 I I. I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I Ie I MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION JUNE 16, 1994 4:30P.M. - CITYHALL - CONFERENCE ROOM CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereot; Mayor Sather called to order the City Council worksession at 4:30P.M. Present: Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Paul Malone, Dennis Probst and Dale mcks; City Administrator Dorothy A Person; City Accountant, Terry Post; Community Planning Coordinator, Brian Fritsinger; Park &Recreation Director, Cynthia Severtson; Public Works Superintendent, Dan Wmkei; Recording Secretary, Kim Moore-Sykes; Guest, John McClung. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Councllmember Hicks moved and seconded by Councilmember Malone to adopt the June 16, 1994 work session agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). REOUEST BY McCLUNG DEVELOPMENT FOR COUNCIL FEEDBACK REGARDING THE OPTION OF TEMPORARY CITY FINANCING OF INFRASTRUCTURE: Mr. John McClung of McClung Development requested Council feedback regarding whether a development agreement for his fourth addition is necessary at the 125% rate. One option discussed was that the City would do all of the work, including engineering, construction and inspection of the project. McClung would then be assessed those costs by the City and he would make the payments. Mr. McClung felt this would give him more flexibility in being able to market the properties. If the City can't agree with this idea, he then wanted to know what his options would be. The City Administrator advised that before there could be a change to an ordinance, the Council would normally make a change in policy. Councilmember Malone stated that the City would be very reluctant to make that kind of a change to the City ordinance, but suggested that the ordinance did allow the City to advance time and money on a project like this provided that the owner, in this case, Mr. McClung, could arrange for a security deposit or escrow account. It was also suggested to him that his bank provide a letter of credit for him. A letter of credit could be structured such that it would diminish as Mr. McClung pays the assessments on those lots. McClung asked what responsibility he has to the City ifhe decides to finance this himself. It was stated that ifhe does finance the project himselt; other than inspection and review of the plans and the specs from the project, the City would not be involved in the financing of the project from another source. Mr. McClung would be responsible for the up front (soft) costs incurred by the City for the inspection of the project, i.e. legal costs and any other related costs. Mr. McClung thanked the Council for its time and advice. I I- I I I . I I I .- I I I I I . I I- I Worksession Minutes 2 June 16, 1994 NSP'S REOUEST FOR ANTENNA PLACEMENT NSP has requested that they be allowed to put an antenna on top of the water tower. Councilmember Malone advised staff that it should be communicated to NSP that if their request for an antenna is approved, that it is not be placed higher than the Cellular One antenna that currently exists on the water tower. Dan Wmkel, Public Works Superintendent, reported that there is enough space for the placement ofNSP's antenna and that it would not cause any maintenance problems for the water tower. The Council agreed that NSP should proceed with the normal installation scheduling procedure through the planning commission, based on the condition that the antenna remain at the same height as the one currently in place on the tower. TCAAP - DISCUSSION OF COMMITMENT Councilmember Probst presented a report regarding the possibility of requesting assistance for the City of Arden Hills in following through with discussions on City Hall and Public Works location at TCAAP. Sarah Janecek could perform these responsibilities in coordinating with the City, the County and other entities on various related issues. Councilmember Probst said that Sarah Janecek would be working directly with the City and he believed that she had a good grasp of these issues. Councilmember Malone agreed that having an individual who is qualified to deal with the follow-up and details of the City's space needs would be extremely helpful. The Council agreed to pursue this option. PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT UPDATE 1. The Council reviewed Public Work's update of 1994 County and State projects. Councilmember Hicks asked about the County Road E bridge resurfacing project. He went on to say that he feels that a walkway is needed because there are many people who walk along the bridge and it is potentially a dangerous situation. He would like to look into the prospect of adding an auxiliary walkway that could be attached to the bridge. Council believed this was an important issue and should look into its possibility with the County. It bas become a big safety issue since the closing of old Snelling. It was agreed that Bethel College may also be in agreement and support a pedestrian walkway. 2. 1994 Pavement Program: Dan Wmkel reported that the contract is expected to let on 7/24. NSP has inquired about the possibility of starting early on the project. Two Arden Hills residents, Mr. Brown and Mr. Byrne, have been commnnicating with Dan regarding their assessments for the street reconstruction project. Dan will write to these individuals regarding their adjusted assessments; he will plan on the construction agreement being signed after June 22, 1994 and will also notilY NSP. I I. I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I Ie I Worksession Minutes 3 June 16, 1994 Terry Post also reported that the pre-payments on the special assessments for the 1994 Pavement Management are coming in very slowly. REOUEST BY ARDEN MANOR MOBILE HOME PARK FOR EMERGENCY WATER HOOK-UP Dan informed the council that he had received an inquiry from the mobile home park owner about the possibility of hooking up to City water on a 'stand-by' basis. Apparently the owner is concerned that at some point he may need water and would like to be able to have access to City water in the event ofan emergency. He has two wells, one ofwbich has become contaminated and not useable. The Council voiced concerns about the possibility of City water becoming contaminated as the result of hooking up to his water lines. They directed Dan to contact the State Department of Health about the possibility of the City Engineer doing this. It was verified that the Park owner has been notified to attend the June 27 Council Meeting. SURPLUS EOUlPMENT SALE UPDATE The Council advised staff to require minimum bids for City vebicles as the upcoming surplus equipment sale. Any office furniture or office equipment of lesser value can be sold for best offer. The information was otherwise acceptable. FLORAL PARK PARKING Cindy Severtson reported to the Council about the parking situation that exists around Floral Park during the softball season. Cars are reported to be parking around the neighborhood, on both sides of the street disregarding the 'no parking' signs and causing hazardous conditions for children crossing the street to get to the Park. Compounding the problem, some of these children dart out from between cars into the street. Severtson was asking the City to consider posting a 'watch for children' sign on the park side and also painting the curb yellow to further discourage parking there. The Council agreed to consider posting a 'no parking sign' and painting the curb at the next Council Meeting. They directed staff to put it on the consent agenda. Councilmember Hicks also said that the staff should send a letter to the Little League Association asking them to ask the children in their program not to walk or leave litter on the lawns. Also let the association know that their cooperation would be appreciated in helping with this and the street crossing situation. The Public Safety Committee should also be advised by Dan Wmkel. EMPLOYEE INSURANCE CHANGE OPTIONS: DISCUSSION The City Administrator reported that employee health insurance premium rates did not go up this year. She advised them of the options presented to the City by LMCIT for the coming enrollment period beginning July I. They are offering employee-paid long term I I- I I I I I I I I- I I I I I I I I- I Worksession Minutes 4 June 16, 1994 disability insurance as well as continuing short term disability insurance; a network option was added to their health care policy that is cheaper to provide and; a family ortho dental program is being offered as well. The City Administer reported that while the health care premium did not increase, dental premiums were up 4%. Mayor Sather said that the staff recommendations based on employee feedback should be scheduled for the next Council Meeting. Counci1member Malone said he felt that the employees should decide what option they want. Person also reported that LMCIT was also offering the ability to buy additional life insurance for employee dependents. REVIEW OF PIPER JAFFRAY PUBUC FUND EXPERIENCE Terry Post reported on the status of the Piper Institutional Fund and the impact of the recent down turn. In his report, he stated that the City funds that are in this public fund are for investment only; they do not impact the City's cash flow. Post said that Piper Jafli'ay is closing this fund to other investors as of June 20 so as to protect the investments that are already being serviced by this fund. He recommended to the Council that they not pull the money out as the funds continue to earn interest. He also said that he expects the net asset value, (NA V), to stabilize. The Council agreed to leave the City funds in this public fund investment. REOUEST TO CHANGE EXOTIC ANIMAL ORDINANCE The City Administrator reported on a request she had received from a woman who is interested in moving into Arden Hills. She has a sma11 monkey (four and one halfpounds), and would like to have the City change its ordinance to allow for her pet. The request stated that there are cats larger than her monkey. The Council was not supportive of changing the ordinance because of public health issues that are related to having exotic "n;m"l~ as pets. DOG CLUBS ORDINANCE - KENNELS ISSUE The Council directed staff to review the information from Dave Kriesel and the animal control contractor about this issue and report back. MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and seconded by Councilmember Hicks to postpone discussion regarding the performance issue of the Public Works Superintendent. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Further discussion followed with Council and the Administrator regarding staff team work. The Council agreed that they will work with staff to address issues and to help I I. I I I I I I I I- I I I I I I I Ie I Worksession Minutes 5 June 16, 1994 coordinate team building sessions within the next few weeks. MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and seconded by Councilmember Probst to adjourn the work session. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). The work session adjourned at 8:30PM. ~t~ ~4?~ Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator Thomas R Sather, Mayor