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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 07-11-1994 I . .- . . . . . . .e . . . . . . . .e . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HTT.T ,(;/, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCn.. MEETING July 11, 1994 7:30 P.M. - City Hall CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Acting Mayor ApJikowski called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Present: Acting Mayor Beverly Ap1ikows1d; Councilmembers Dale Hicks and Paul Malone. Mayor Dennis Probst was absent. Also present were: City Attorney, Jerry Filla; Community Planning Coordinator, Brian Fritsinger; Public Works Superintendent, Dan Winkel; City Administrator, Dorothy Person; City Accountant, Terry Post; Park Superintendent, Cindy Severtson; Recording Secretary, Deanne Gueblaoui. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by mcks to adopt the June 27, 1994 agenda. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES May 19,1994 Work Session Minutes: Malone requested the following changes: To clarify the 1993 year-end audit, the primary reason for the general fund decrease is because only 90 percent of the anticipated general tax revenue has been received. Page 2, first paragraph, third line, after the word facility, add: However, to date, there is no formal contract or agreement. Page 3, first paragraph: Membership is decreasing in the Human Rights Committee, and there are limited issues that have been identified for the Committee's perusal. June 27, 1994 Minutes: mcks requested the following changes: I I Ie I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN Hn..LS CITY COUNCn.. - JULy 11, 1994 2 Page 10, first paragraph should state that the City Engineer was asked to give a cost estimate on how to change the pumping when Pleasant Avenue is rebuilt, whether it could drain north rather than into Karth Lake. Page 10, third paragraph should state that Karth Lake was pumped, not the lake in Arden Manor Park. Malone requested the following changes: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Page 2, third paragraph: The piping stub is in place at the driveway for the Arden Hills water connection. Page 5, Planning Case 93-15, eighth line down, strike the sentence, "Any changes to the terminal ..... and all references to R-l District. Page 5, motion by Hicks regarding Planning Case 93-15 SUP should be spelled out, Special Use Permit, and the location address deleted. Page 9, second paragraph, the Council work session is scheduled for July 21, 1994. Page 9, third paragraph under Council Comments, the Census showed three people in the average household. If the Metropolitan Council shows less than 3,000 households in the City and a population of 9,000+, the figures should be checked. Page 9, last paragraph, Malone stated that he talked to the City Treasurer. MOTION: Hicks moved, Malone seconded that the minutes of May 19, 1994 worksession and June 27, 1994 Council meeting be approved as amended above. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). CONSENT CALENDAR Malone asked if the mileage amounts shown in the payroll are monthly amounts. City Treasurer Post stated that members of the Park and Recreation staff attended a conference out of town which accounts for the extra mileage. MOTION: Hicks moved, seconded by Malone to approve the Consent Calendar as presented. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). I I I- I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.TA(;I CITY COUNCn.. - JULY 11, 1994 PUBLIC COMMENTS 3 Acting Mayor Aplikowski opened the meeting to public comment on items not on the meeting agenda. There were no public comments. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. REVIEW OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ARDEN MANOR (SWIMMING POOL) Fritsinger stated that at the last Council meeting the owners of Arden Manor Mobile Home Park were requested to bring a proposal to address amenities for park residents to compensate for the loss of the swimming pool. Staff discussed possible options that park management might offer in place of the swimming pool facility, which the owner states is too costly to repair. Park management is proposing to construct two new basketball hoops, remove the existing tennis courts, construct two new sand volleyball courts in place of the tennis courts, add additional drainage landscaping improvements, correct drainage problems from the pond to the outlet pipe on the south side of the park, put in additional landscaping near the existing pool. Staff is concerned that not all age groups will benefit from the proposed amenities, especially younger children. Another question is whether drainage improvements should be considered as a separate, unrelated issue. Correspondence has been received from City Attorney Filla indicating that the storm drainage responsibility should be separate from the recreation proposal. Hicks suggested that long-term maintenance agreement could be worked out with Arden Manor for the maintenance of any facilities built on the City park easement area. He asked if any residents have been involved in preparing an alternative to the pool. Residents present indicated that they had not. Fritsinger stated that he had suggested to the park management that a survey of tenants be conducted, but it has not been done at this time. Hicks stated that if the swimming pool were in use, it would not be available for children under the age of 14. It was his understanding from the public hearing that children under 14 do use it, even though they should be accompanied by parents. Malone noted that the park management agreed to provide a recreational facility in the form of a swimming pool nearly 20 years ago. The SUP granted by the City depended upon the swimming pool as a condition of approval. At this time he sees nothing to cause the City to back away from that requirement. This does not mean the conditions of the SUP cannot be amended with a good plan for alternative recreation facilities, that a poll or survey should be taken to allow residents to express their preferences. Malone stated that he would have to have that type of information I I I- I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.L(;I CITY COUNCn.. - JULY 11,1994 4 before he would back away from the original requirements of the SUP. Hicks concurred. At the last meeting he requested that a specific plan to address recreational needs of residents be presented at this meeting. Half of the summer has gone by without use of the pool, and he does not want to see another summer go by with the loss of recreational opportunities for which residents have paid. Acting Mayor ApJikowski added that the needs of younger children must also be addressed. Even if children were not supervised properly, it would be hard to believe that children under age 14 did not use the pool. The owner and management have been remiss in not bringing this issue before the residents of the park, and she would not accept the present proposal as an alternative. The Council could insist that the pool be repaired and reopened. Capital improvement funds should have been budgeted over the years to keep the pool in good repair. Hicks asked if the pool could be operated without the major repairs and expense. Mr. Husnik stated that there is leakage in the underground pipes and he does not know where they are. Every spring approximately $3,000 to $5,000 is spent patching and repairing the pool before it opens. Hicks noted that it is July 11, and no one knowledgeable about pool maintenance has looked at the problem or given an estimate of the cost. Mr. Holmquist stated that the repairs are estimated at $10,000. Mr. Husnik asked if the pool has to be fixed, would the City repair the tennis courts and ball diamond which have been unusable for the last three years. Filla stated that his understanding of the problems with the City portion of the facilities is caused by the drainage problem. It would not make sense for the City to spend public money on these facilities before the pool and drainage problems are resolved. Mr. Husnik stated that the flooding problem cannot be remedied without drain tile. Acting Mayor Ap1ikowsld stated that for Arden Manor to stay in operation and in good faith with the City of Arden Hills, a better alternative plan is needed or the swimming pool repaired. Malone recommended that the Arden Manor Park owner be directed to take action to comply with the SUP with regard to the pool or prepare a complete recreation plan alternative accompanied by information from park residents that they support the plan. If the pool is not repaired or an alternative plan is not in place, then the City Attorney I I I- I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.T.(;I CITY COUNCn.. - JULY 11,1994 5 can be instructed to take action for a court order requiring compliance, with penalties, court costs and City costs related to such action to be the responsibility of Arden Manor. Lynn Franzen, 2015 Todd Drive, stated that it would be wonderful if residents could give their opinion. She would accept an alternative plan because her children are too small to use the pool alone. She requested that all residents are polled, not just a small percentage. Hicks asked if there is a park residents' association. Ms. Franzen stated that residents are working to organize one. She stated that she is certain that enough residents would volunteer their preferences for management to get a true reflection of their wishes. Acting Mayor Aplikowski asked if the residents hold resident Park meetings. Ms. Franzen stated that meetings have not been held since the last management. Ms. Susan Langer, 4650 Park Court, stated that the pool was functioning when Mr. Holmquist came. Since then the pool has not even been drained. The recreational facilities are not adequate. She showed pictures of the conditions to Counci1members and asked how management will keep up with new equipment. She moved in one year ago, and one of the reasons was because of the pool. Her rent was raised last February, and she hopes something can be done this summer because residents are paying for something they are not getting. MOTION: Hicks moved, seconded by Malone, that by the next Council meeting, it will be expected that the owner and management of Arden Hills Manor provide the Council with evidence that action has been taken to repair the pool and put it into proper operating condition to comply with the conditions of the Special Use Permit; or come prepared with an alternative plan for recreational facilities that the park would install and maintain, with an indication that residents have been adequately surveyed for their needs and interests and concerns about this change; in order that a public hearing could be held through the Planning Commission; or if neither of the above alternatives are satisfied, the City will request that the City Attorney begin proceedings to find Arden Manor in non-compliance with the Special Use Permit. Discussion: Filla noted that it will be difficult for staff to respond to any proposed alternative, if that is the choice, unless it is received with sufficient time for review prior to the next Council meeting. He requested that an alternative I I I- I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.T .0;; CITY COUNCn.. - JULY 11, 1994 6 plan and survey results be submitted at least one week before the Council meeting, by July 18, 1994. If the time frame is too tight, then the proposal can be submitted for the following Council meeting. He emphasized that staff will need time to evaluate an alternative proposal. Hicks stated that in light of the tight time frame stated in the motion, he would amend the motion to state that if the alternative plan is chosen as a remedy for the situation, a plan must be submitted to staff by July 28, 1994, for review before being presented at the Council meeting of August 8, 1994, with the public hearing of the Planning Commission to take place in September. Malone seconded the amendment. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). Jennifer Uzen, 2061 Todd Drive, asked if residents would know what the alternative plan is before it is presented to the Council. Malone stated that he would presume that all or at least a majority of residents will be fairly surveyed with an opportunity to voice their opinion. Management should approach resident families to find out if they would prefer an alternative plan or the swimming pool with the alternatives listed in the survey. Mr. Husnik asked if there would be any problems if the pool is fixed. rocks stated that if the pool is fixed, then Arden Manor would be in compliance with the Special Use Permit. Filla added that the condition of the Special Use Permit would be fulfilled, but there would still be the matter of correcting the drainage situation. Acting Mayor ApJikowsld stated that once the drainage problem is fixed, the City will better maintain the park area. Acting Mayor ApJikowski called a short break at 8:20 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:28 p.m. B. PUBliC WORKS - STRIPING ISSUE ON COUNTY ROAD E Winkel introduced Mr. Dan Solar, Traffic Engineer from Ramsey County to discuss striping on County Road E from County Road 51 (Snelling Avenue) to Old Snelling Avenue. Mr. Dan Solar stated that he had been requested by the Council to review striping on County Road E with respect to parking issues in front of Freeway Park. From the west ramp onto T.H. 51 to Old Snelling Avenue, County Road E is approximately 52 feet wide I I I- I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.T.s CITY COUNCn.. - JULy 11, 1994 7 with four lanes and parking allowed on both sides. The traffic count is at approximately 8,000 cars per day. Based on the traffic volume, the road could feasibly be striped as a three-lane roadway with center turn lanes and shoulders along the side. Or, the shoulders could be dropped with four lanes up to the intersection. Hicks suggested keeping the four lanes and eliminating the turn lanes with seven-foot striping on either side for bike paths on either side. Mr. Solar stated that could be done if there were four lanes on both sides of the intersection. At the west intersection of County Road E and T.H. 51, he proposed a right-turn lane onto the southbound Highway 51 ramp. Otherwise that intersection would stay the same. At Hamline Avenue and Highway 51, one lane of traffic in each direction is proposed on County Road E with on left-turn lanes onto the southbound Highway 51 ramp. Hicks asked if cars are backing out into the lane of traffic. Mr. Solar stated that at the present time they are backing into the right hand through lane. To make these proposed changes, there would have to be some type of removal process of the striping, such as sand blasting. Also, five detectors for the traffic signal would have to be replaced at City expense. Hicks stated that if the right-turn lane is not widened, then the sensors would not have to be moved. Now cars either go straight or turn right. Could this plan be implemented without widening the right-turn lane? Mr. Solar answered, yes. Now the curb follows a straight line. It is proposed to have it taper with a turn lane. There are not a lot of left turns. Now there is only one lane for through vehicles and right turns, such as County Road C and Rice Street. He does not anticipate a lot of widening, seven feet now. Mr. Solar stated that widening the land would not be necessary, but the detectors would have to be moved. He will see what minimum amount of work can be proposed. The cost of the detectors will be between $2,000 and $2,300 to be paid by the City and would have to be approved by MN/DOT because it is their signal. If any overlay work is needed, the County would take care of it. The City could request the County to add this right-turn improvement onto another larger improvement project to defray the cost. Malone asked if the curb would be moved. Mr. Solar stated that currently the curb follows a straight line. It is proposed to have it taper with a turn lane. Malone asked if any parking would be available from Highway 51 to Old Snelling Avenue. Hicks noted that the major parking need is for hockey games in the winter. I I Ie I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCn.. - JULY 11, 1994 8 Mr. Solar stated that the other choice would be to allow 10 feet on one side for parking and 4 feet on the other side. Severtson stated that the 10 feet on one side for parking would be preferable because there is a fair amount of pedestrian traffic along that road. Several residents have expressed concern about the fact that County Road E is seen as a four-lane road and pedestrians are not given the right-of-way at all. Mr. Solar stated that could be done. The only trouble with making a wider shoulder on one side is that there will be drivers who try to use the parking lane as a driving lane. Hicks noted the two driveways at the intersection ofT.H. Sl and County Road E. Cars could turn left into the first driveway without trouble but not the second one. Mr. Solar stated that there should be medians at that intersection. If the bridge is rebuilt. there will be a concrete island all the way through. Islands are typically used to protect signalized intersections. Hicks recommended that this plan be sent to the Public Safety Committee for review. Mr. Solar stated that he would like to receive direction from Arden Hills for the restriping project. Malone asked how late in the season striping can be done. Mr. Solar answered, until late October. The County will have to request that the state approve the work. He would like to see it done by late August or September. Malone stated that the City can respond after the Public Safety Committee meeting by the first Council meeting in August. REVIEW OF 1994 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT Sl.:HIillULE Winkel referred Councilmembers to the 1994 pavement management schedule in the Council packet. He reported that the work will begin Monday, July 18, 1994, to remove the blacktop from Dunlap and storm sewer work will begin Tuesday, July 19. The Bussard Court reconstruction will start soon after. The Keithson Road cold-in-place recycling and Amble Drive reconstruction projects will begin towards the end of July or the first part of August. NSP will be moving the gas main on Amble Drive, and this work should be completed within a couple of weeks. I I I- I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.J.s CITY COUNCn.. - JULY 11, 1994 C. PERRY PARK - APPROVAL TO CALL A PUBLIC HEARING 9 Severtson stated that a public hearing is part of the process to apply for a grant for the redevelopment of Perry Park. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to set a public hearing for Monday, July 25, 1994, at 7:30 p.m., to consider plans to apply for a federal grant that would co-fund any reconstruction of Perry Park. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS Person stated that on July 25, before the next Council meeting, staff plan to do a preliminary review of the second draft of the budget with the Council. A motion would be needed to call the meeting at 6:00 p.m. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to amend the starting time of the July 25, 1994 Council meeting to 6:00 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (3-0) . The League of Minnesota Cities has notified local officials of the recent ethics law now in effect prohibiting any gifts to public officials. Members of the T-Ball class have written a letter to the Park and Recreation Department expressing appreciation for the staff's work. Person called attention to the misunderstanding on the notice of filing for candidacy in local elections this fall. She explained that most cities have primaries for local elections which is not the case in Arden Hills. If Arden Hills had a primary for local elections, the calendar would be accurate. There will be a statewide primary in Arden Hills, as in other cities. The period for filing affidavits of candidacy for local office is August 30, 1994, through September 13, 1994, for the election on November 8, 1994. Filings for the local election cannot be accepted until August 30, 1994. Filla recommended that new notices be sent out and one staff person designated to answer any questions of anyone who comes in to file. Malone indicated that he understood from a Secretary of State employee that there would be a court decision to allow for the August- September candidacy filing. Filla indicated that since this is clearly a miscommunication, a court ruling is not necessary. I I f' I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I Ie I ARDEN HTT.J.(;I CITY COUNCn.. - JULy 11, 1994 COUNCll.. COMMENTS 10 Hicks stated that he will not be able to attend the Council work session on July 21, 1994. Hicks asked what the forum would be for the joint Public Safety Committees' meeting among surrounding communities for sheriff candidates. Wmkel responded that the initiative came from Shoreview for the committees to jointly discuss common issues with the Ramsey County Sheriff candidates. Malone noted that the striping on Hamline Avenue needs to be done. Winkel stated that it will be done in conjunction with the County Road E striping, which should be upcoming shortly. Malone noted that League of Minnesota Cities Managed Care Program for Workers' Compo Person stated that this item will be on the worksession agenda in August. There may be several viable service providers. Malone expressed concern about the County's capital plan that may impact the city, i.e., County Road I, Rice Creek, Old Snelling over Lake Josephine, that are scheduled in 1995. Money has not been budgeted for these projects in 1995. Winkel added the bridge on Old Snelling in Arden Hills is scheduled for 1995, at an estimate of $863,000. If the City pays two-thirds of the cost, that is $506,000 in 1995. T.H. 96 reconstruction costs have been approved at an estimate of $713,000. Malone requested that staff check into plans of these projects. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. motion carried unanimously (3-O). ~t?~ Dorothy P n City AdmiIiistrator The Acting Mayor Aplikowski NOTICE OF MEETINGS: The next regular Council meeting will be held July 25, 1994, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.