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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 12-12-1994 I " MINUTES I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12,1994 I 7:30 P.M. . NEW BRIGHTON CITY HALL I CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALI I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:35 p.m. I Present: Mayor Dennis Probst; Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Paul Malone and Susan Keim. I Also present were: Acting Clerk! Administrator, Terry Post; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Severtson Walsh; Planning Coordinator, Brian Fritsinger; and Recording Secretary, Ruth McLaurin. I ADOPT AGENDA I~ Mayor Probst noted a slight addition to the agenda, he requested item 5.a be added, 50 he may read the proclamation that will be approved in the Consent Agenda, for Jeanne Winiecki. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Keim seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the December, 1994 City Council meeting as amended. The motion carried unanimously. (5-0). I APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES I APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES.NOVEMBER 28. 1994 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND NOVEMBER 30.1994 TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING I November 28,1994 Councilmember Malone wished to clarify a portion on page four, paragraph six which should I read: Council member Malone inquired. regarding the verbiage used in the Special Use Pennit .wecifi""lIy regarding the definition "buildable land" in the statement "not to exceed 25% of the I buildable land". and what the understanding of the Council might have been at that time. MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the ~ November 28,1994 Regular City Council and the November 30,1994 Truth in Taxation Hearing meetings as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I I 1\ ,A.RUEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 12, 1994 2 I CONSENT CAT .ENDAR I A. Proclamation for Jeanne Winiecki honoring her years of community service. B. Approval of change in Employment Status for J. Tostenson. I C. Approval of Resolution 94-66; Assessment Reapportionment. D. Approval of Resolution 95-67; Cable Franchise Fees. E. Claims/Payroll. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Keim seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as I presented, and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Probst gave anyone who wished to speak at this time an opportunity to come forward. I No one at this time wished to speak. Mayor Probst then read the proclamation for Jeanne Winiecki into the record. Mayor Probst and other council members then gave personal tributes I" to Ms. Winiecki. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS I RESOLUTION 94-68: CLARIFYING FINAL SUMS OF MONEY TO BE LEVIFO FOR 1994. PAYABLE TO 1995. I MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 94-68; clarifying final sums of money to be levied for 1994, payable to 1995. The motion I carried unanimously (5-0). DISCUSSION OF GATEWAY BUSINESS DISTRICT PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMFNT I AGREEMENT STATUS. Mr. Post presented information regarding the Everest Preliminary Development Agreement. Mr. I Post noted further discussion could be held on Thursday at the Worksession, when Everest will be in attendance. I Councilmember Aplikowski inquired if Everest was requesting additional time. Mr. Post indicated indeed they were requesting a 120 day extension. ~ Mayor Probst notified Council that he will not be in attendance at Thursday's worksession. Mayor Probst indicated he was surprised by the request for a 120 day extension. I I , ,ARDEN :WUS CITY COUNCIL . UECEMBER 12. 1994 3 I Councilmember Malone suggested perhaps a shorter extension of 70 days, which would bring it I up to the date of the February W orksession. Mayor Probst concurred and indicated 120 days is too long. I Councilmember Aplikowski inquired if the request was a stalling tactic or were there valid reasons for the extension request. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the rationale Everest has for requesting I the extension is that it would then prohibit the City from negotiating with anyone else and this would provide them with a comfort level. I Mayor Probst indicated the main concern is land acquisition. Mayor Probst indicated this issue needs to come to a closure and the City needs some assurances from Everest that the land is going to be developed. I Councilmember Aplikowski suggested revisiting the vision for the Gateway Business District. I Mayor Probst instructed staff to have Everest at the W orksession to present documentation for their reasons and establish if they are working toward the same vision of the City. He also ~ indicated they should be made aware of Council's feelings as discussed at this meeting. Councilmember Aplikowski indicated the City would also need to establish how much money I they are willing to spend on this project. Mr. Fritsinger indicated he will be meeting with financial consultants and Everest and will I ultimately forward information from such meetings in the form of a staff recommendation to council. I ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS Mr. Post indicated additional information will be presented to the Council at the Worksession, I but he wanted to notify Council of an individual that has threatened a legal challenge regarding the City's assessment policy in general and his Ingerson Road reconstruction special assessment in particular. I COUNCIL COMMENTS I Councilmember Hicks indicated he had requested Parks and Recreation Director Walsh to review the possible sale of land owned by the City. ~ Ms. Walsh recommended in her memo the sale of this property. She indicated the money derived from the sale of this lot could be put in the Park Fund and used for projects such as the Perry Park redevelopment or trail development. I I 1\ ,ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - D-RCEMBER 12, 1994 4, I Ms. Walsh indicated she is requesting authorization to have the property appraised, the cost of I the appraisal would range from $250-$300. I Ms. Walsh indicated land surrounding this lot have recently been sold for $46,500 and $34,900 per lot. I Councilmember Hicks inquired if there are any restrictions regarding developing this land due to park dedication. Ms. Walsh indicated there are no current restrictions. I Mayor Probst inquired if a public meeting would be needed to notify the neighborhood before sale of the property. Mayor Probst also inquired if the lot was buildable. I Mr. Fritsinger indicated the lot would need variances, since the building envelope would encroach on setbacks. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the lot would be established as a nonconforming lot. I Mr. Fritsinger indicated the lot would go through the Planning Commission and the neighbors would be notified during that process, with the opportunity to voice any concerns. I" Mayor Probst was concerned that the land would have already been sold by the time it reached the Planning Commission. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the sale could be contingent on the approval I of Planning Commission and Council. Councilmember Malone inquired as to the square footage of the lot. Ms. Walsh advised county I records indicate 13,900 square feet. Councilmember Malone was concerned that the lot would not be buildable. Mayor Probst I indicated precedence has been established with other properties near Lake Johanna being granted variances, and that would be taken into consideration. I Mr. Fritsinger indicated the lot itself was not planed, it was a vacated lot and never incorporated into the platting process. Mr. Fritsinger also noted he is currently researching the number of cases that have been granted variances and what type of variances would be required. I Councilmember Hicks suggested the property be appraised so the Council can make an educated decision. I Councilmember Keim felt additional information would be needed before an appraisal be authorized. :a Mayor Probst instructed staff to further review the unclear issues. I I 1\ ,ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL. DECEMBER 12, 1994 5 I Councilmember Hicks indicated also if it is decided to sell the property, it should be listed with I a realtor and bids received. He indicated the City should notify the interested party that if the land was to be sold it would not be assumed he would be the buyer. I Mr. Fritsinger indicated he would clarify the process with Mr. Filla. I Councilmember Malone indicated two letters were received, one regarding water billing and one regarding sidewalk snow removal. Mr. Post indicated the letter regarding the water billing is currently being reviewed by City Attorney Mr. Filla. Mr. Post indicated that sidewalk snow I removal action has been taken by the code enforcement officer to notify affected County Road E business property owners. I Councilmember Keirn noted she will be meeting with department heads on December 22 to introduce herself and meet staff. I Mayor Probst inquired if during the process of granting rubbish removal licenses, the City could require all pick ups to be made on the same day, by all companies. Mr. Fritsinger indicated this I. perhaps would be through an ordinance change and he would review. Mayor Probst updated the Council on the TCAAP meetings. Mayor Probst indicated also the I Base Closure Consortium will be meeting in January at Washington, D.C. and he would like to send Mr. Fritsinger to participate in those meetings as the City's representative. I Mayor Probst also indicated he is working with staff regarding committee and commission appointments and will be sending letters out establishing the members of each committee or comrmsslOn. I Mayor Probst indicated he had received a letter from North Star Bank asking for any co=ents the City would have regarding their lending activity in the City. I I I :a I 1 1- ,ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMl3ER 12. 1994 6 . ADJOURN 1 MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 1 ~ . f~ It,. . Dennis Probst Terrance R. Post Mayor Acting City Administrator 1 NOTICE OF MEETINGS . The next regular Council meeting will be held December 28, 1994, at 7:30 p.m., at the New Brighton City Hall. .e . . . 1 . 1 . .- . . .. MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING . DECEMBER 12, 1994 6:30 P.M. - NEW BRIGHTON CITY HALL . CAT L TO ORDER/ROLL CAT L . Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the special City Council meeting at 6:32 p.m. . Present: Mayor Dennis Probst; Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Paul Malone, and Susan Keim. . Also present were: Acting Clerk! Administrator, Terry Post; Planning Coordinator, Brian Fritsinger; and Recording Secretary, Ruth McLaurin. . ADOPT AGENDA .- MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the December 12, 1994 Special City Council meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . OFFICE STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS . Acting Clerk Administrator Post indicated the staff in question has returned to work full time per doctor's release. . Councilmember Aplikowski inquired what would the City do if this situation arose again. Mr. Post indicated the case would be uniquely evaluated, since there is no specific policy to provide guidance in these situations. Mr. Post indicated perhaps a pool of individuals willing to work . temporary part-time could be identified and drawn from should extra help be needed. . Mr. Post indicated the Administrative Assistant's last day was Friday December 9, 1994, He has no intention of filling this position until the new City Atlmini<trator is hired, since the two will be working closely together. He indicated temporary help would used in the interim on an as . needed basis. Mayor Probst concurred with Mr. Post that the position should not be filled until the new City . Administrator is hired. Mayor Probst was pleased with turn of events regarding the employee who had been injured and is now back to work full time. .- . I I. ,ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING DECEMB~R 12. 1994 2 I Councilmember Malone inquired if the employee is able to perform and is healed regarding the I injury. Mr. Post indicated the employee is able to perform but he will continue to monitor the situation closely. I STATUS UPDATE OF REPLY TO DEPARTMRNT OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS (DOER) I Mr. Post advised the Council as to the process of requesting an extension to DOER. Mr. Post indicated the rationale for the request is to be submitted by December 21, 1994. He is not aware I of any problems with the request and believes an extension will be granted. Mr. Post indicated during the extension, staff will review pay scales and work to revise the salary I range, etc. Mayor Probst's main concern was the possibility of the extension being denied. PI~nning I Coordinator Pritsinger indicated he did not have any immediate concerns that the City would be denied. Mr. Pritsinger did indicate the reason for the request will need to be concise, which should be of no concern. I. Mayor Probst referred to a recent article in the newspaper that indicated a school district which I was out of compliance and the extreme amount of penalties paid to DOER. Mr. Pritsinger indicated that particular district was out of compliance since 1991, where we have only been out of compliance this year. I Mr. Post indicated that generally the PDI "generic" job descriptions were used to correlate to position point values. I Councilmember Aplikowski indicated concern that perhaps the "generic" job descriptions would be too vague and leave too much room for interpretation. I Mr. Pritsinger indicated the "generic" job description applies better to define most positions. I Councilmember Aplikowski requested a copy of the job descriptions for review. I Mayor Probst indicated at last month's meeting the "generic" job description followed the linear guidelines better than the personalized PDI output. Mr. Post concurred. I DISCUSSION OF CLFRK ADMINISTRATOR The Council took time to discussion the selection process of the City Administrator position. I- Due to confidentiality, the applicants were referred to by application number and not name. I I I. ,ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL . S~ECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 1994 3 . Each council member established a list of five finalists, and discussed the finalists with the entire . Council. The Council then selected six finalists that will go through the interview process. . Council then decided on the interview process, which will be one day, where all six applicants will be interviewed for approximately one hour each. The Council will then reduce the number of applicants, who will go through a second interview, perhaps involving staff or a City Hall tour. . Council established January 7, 1995 by consensus to be the first interview date, interviews will start at 8:00 a.m. with a lunch break from 12:00-1:30 and continue until approximately 6:00 p.m. . Council agreed to have each member call one reference from each applicant, each reference will be asked the same questions, so as to compare each applicant on the same basis. . Mr. Post will be instructed to phone applicants so their schedules can be arranged and the phone call will be confirmed by a letter from the Mayor. . Mayor Probst inquired as to the percentage of women that applied. Councilmember Keirn .- indicated 13% of the applicants were women. AO]OURN . MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to adjourn the special meeting at 7:30 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . I,.. {k I I.~ Terrance R. Post . Acting City Administrator . . . .e .