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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 01-26-1989 . . . . MINUTES OF THE ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1989, 7:30 P.M. - CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. ROLL CALL The roll being called, the following members were present: Mayor Thomas Sather, Councilmembers Joann Growe, Nancy Hansen, and Paul Malone. Also present: Clerk Administrator Gary Berger, Public Works Supervisor Robert Raddatz, and Administra- tive Secretary Mary Ann DeLaRosa. SEH CONCERNS Mayor Sather advised the Council that he and Public Works Supervisor Raddatz had met with Don Lund and Barry Peters of Short-Elliott- Hendrickson on January 12 to discuss why SEH was not reappointed as consulting engineer for 1989. The Council concurred that they felt they were not getting enough expertise for the money spent. They felt that having Barry Peters as the appointed engineer was a step in the right direction and felt their concerns should be addressed in a workshop session scheduled for mid-February. Public Works Supervisor Raddatz listed his specific concerns for the Council. They included: storm sewer drainage eroding driveways at 1680 Oak Avenue, sewer and water lines having access in rear yards, as opposed to street easement access, incorrect water valves on Colleen and Briarknoll, and that the main had been repaired three times due to line elevation problems, a deadend watermain on Northwoods Drive that should have been a looped system, service entrances, as-builts, and compaction problems in Arden Oaks, settling of main lines and service entrances in Royal Hills, settling of all service entrances on Karth Lake (Amble Drive)/Chatham Avenue, delay of obtaining easements for the New Brighton Sewer Interceptor, and the resultant excessive expenses incurred in obtaining them at a later date, and problems with the water tower not filling to capacity. Raddatz said there is a need for a booster station and/or the need to enlarge the line on Hamline as possible solutions to the filling problem. He also noted that in 1990, Roseville will do a complete water service study for the entire city, and he suggested that a joint study, including Arden Hills, be done as one unit. Mayor Sather asked the Council if they had any concerns with SEH. Councilmembers Growe and Hanson responded that they had none. Councilmember Malone noted that most of his concerns were the same as outlined by Public Works Supervisor Raddatz. He did ask if the drainage problem behind NCClung",iS SEH's fault or the builders fault. Mayor Sather noted that the Council needs to give direction to the inspector on what is expected, otherwise he has no power to stop a project unless it fails a test. He also felt that Council had approved change orders for various projects with too short a notice and the Council really did not have enough time to study the requested changes. Mayor Sather recommended that a letter to sent to SEH listing the items of concern and allowing SEH to respond at a workshop session with the Council on Wednesday, February 22, at 7:30 P.M. at the Public Works building, if that is convenient for SEH. Councilmember Hansen noted that if we drop SEH as consulting engineer, we would lose a large part of the history of Arden Hills. Mayor Sather concurred, but noted that SEH seems to take the City's business for granted, even though he did not mean to imply that they wouldn't be the firm reappointed. He felt Don Lund only had the interest of SEH in mind, not Arden Hills, but that Barry Peters is good for both SEH and Arden Hills. He noted that SEH is a respected firm and they have expertise in many specific areas. Mayor Sather felt that the City needs to get their attention and have their prompt response. He also felt that a temporary or acting Engineer should be appointed on February 13. Councilmember Hansen suggested that as long as the City expressed concerns with the engineering firm, they should also think about expressing concerns with the City Attorney. Councilmember Growe agreed and felt the City should take a closer look. Minutes of the Arden Hills Special Council Meeting, January 26, 1989 Page Two Councilmember Hansen asked what the status of County Road E and Pine Tree Drive is, and also wondered who requested the AMM Council salary survey. Mayor Sather indicated that he requested the salary survey and it was for informational purposes only. . COUNCIL INTERVIEWS Prior to the interview sessions, Mayor Sather noted that the appointement to fill the Council vacancy should be done at the January 30 meeting as a routine item. He then discussed how the candidates should be evaluated and what the ranking system would be. The Council concurred that it should be based on a point system. Mr. Thomas Mahowald, 1306 Wynridge Drive, was interviewed for the vacant Council position. He briefly outlined his reasons for applying, noting that he wanted to apply his intergovernmental experience to the local level. He noted he felt the City was going through a transition and felt the City will participate with other units more now, that it will be an exciting time for the City and that the Council will be a more "public policy" body. Mr. Mahowald also noted that personally, this was a good time for him to apply as previously he did not have the time to commit to the position. Mayor Sather thanked Mr. Mahowald for applying and interviewing for the position. . Mr. Thomas Mulcahy, 3530 Seims Court, was the second person interviewed for the Council vacancy. When asked why he did not apply in November, he stated that he was satisfied with the candidates that had filed. Now that a vacancy had occurred, he felt he would like to work with the present Council, that the Council can accomplish things, and he felt positive about the changing times. He expressed an interest in expanding the City services, particularly as relates to the parks programs. He felt the City needs more active programs, rather than passive. Mr. Mulcahy also noted that he served many years on the City's Finance Committee and he now served on the Parks and Recreation Committee. When asked what he saw as the biggest challenge for the City, he responded that he liked the goal setting session and felt the Council should establish a three year limit on its goals. He felt goals were very important, and that residents' expectations are rising. Mayor Sather expressed thanks for Mr. Mulcahy's interest and attendance. Mr. Gary Peck, 1427 County Road E West, was the final applicant interviewed for the Council vacancy. He noted that he was elected to the Council four years ago and was very familiar with Council policies and issues concerning the City and staff. He felt the biggest challenges facing the City were the Round Lake development, recycling, the change in the Council, planning issues, and where the City is going in the future. Mr. Peck noted that he was working locally in Arden Hills now and was very interested in returning to the City Council. . Mayor Sather thanked Mr. Peck for his interest and attendance. The Council then proceeded to discuss the applicants and their various qualifications. After discussion, Councilmember Malone moved, seconded by Councilmember Growe that Mr. Thomas Mahowald, 1306 Wynridge Drive, be appointed on January 30, 1989, to fill the Council vacancy, serving as Councilmember until December 31, 1990. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Hansen moved, seconded by Council- member Malone that the meeting be adjourned at ~ R ~ ,," FM MoHoo ~~o~ Gary . Berger, Clerk Administrator Thomas R. Sather, Mayor .