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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-11-1988 ~- . . -f '. , MINUTES OF THE ARDEN HILLS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 11, 1988, 7:30 p.m. - Village Hall CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Woodburn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL The roll being called the following members were present: Mayor Robert Woodburn, Councilmembers Nancy Hansen, Gary Peck, and Jeanne Winiecki. Absent: Councilmember Thomas Sather. Also present: Planner John Bergly, Engineer Barry Peters, Public Works Supervisor Robert Raddatz, Clerk Administrator Patricia Morrison and Deputy Clerk Catherine Iago. APPROVE MINUTES Peck moved, seconded by Hansen, that Council approve the Minutes of the March 28, 1988, Regular Council Meeting, as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) BUSINESS FROM FLOOR Paul Malone, 1485 Dawn Circle, reported on the Recycling Program. He advised Council approximately 30% of the households in Arden Hills are recycling, and, if the recycling figures continue to increase at the current rate, the City should exceed the goal of 3,052 tons per year. Malone also reported on the response to the recycling containers, which were offered for sale in the recycling brochure sent to Arden Hill residents. He advised Council the brochure, including the information regarding containers, would be sent again in late April of this year. ORD. AMENDMENT; EMPLOYEE VACATION ORDINANCE No. 257 Council was referred to the Attorney's draft of an Ordinance amending Section 19.58 of the Arden Hills Code; pertaining to employee vacation leave benefits. Mayor Woodburn read the Ordinance by title. The Clerk Administrator explained the amendment would increase the rate of vacation leave accrual for non-union employees so that it would coincide with the accrual rate for union employees, as per the 1988 contract. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve the Introduction by Title of Ordinance No. 257, AMENDING SECTION 19.58 OF ARDEN HILLS CODE BY CHANGING SUBSECTION (e) THEREOF AND BY ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION (f) THERETO. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) REPORT OF PLANNER CASE #88-06; SIGN HEIGHT VARIANCE, H1VYS. 1-694 & I-35W, Council was referred to the Planner's report of 4/6/88, regarding an application for a Sign Height Variance for an outdoor advertising sign located at I-35W and 1-694. Planner Bergly also referred Council to the Board of Appeals Minutes of 3/24/88: recommending denial of the variance request due to the fact the existing sign has excellent visibility from the east and westbound lanes of 1-694; the members concurred that the sign's effectiveness would not be increased with the additional 9-ft. height; and, the Board members opposed could not identify any topographic hardship. (3-1 vote) Council was also referred to the Planning Commission Minutes of 4/6/88, recommending denial, based on no findings of a hardship. (5-4 vote) Michael Cronin, representing Naegele Advertising, was present to request approval of the application. He stated it was the opinion of the Naegele Company the request is a minor change that would not negatively impact the area. Cronin advised Council that customers have reported the view of the sign, from the easterly direction, is low and they would prefer the sign higher. Councilmember Winiecki stated outdoor advertising signs are becoming more visible with extensions of the signs beyond the normal dimensions and "gimmicks", such as smoking, lighting, and flashing objects. It was her opinion the sign, as it exists has sufficient visibility and she would object to the increased height due to public safety factors. Councilmember Hansen agreed the current sign has excellent visibility. Moved by Winiecki, seconded by Hansen, that Council deny the Variance application, Case #88-06, Sign Height Variance, Highways 1-35W and 1-694, Naegele Advertising Company, due to public safety factors, no identifiable hardship and the fact that the existing sign has excellent visibility. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) . . . - "Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, April 11, 1988 Page 2 CASE #88-08; LOT SPLIT & VAC. OF DRAINAGE EASEMT., KEITHSON ADDITION Council was referred to Bergly's report of 4-6-88, regarding the proposed lot split and partial vacation of a drainage easement on lots 4, 5, 6, and 7, Keithson Addition, and Planning Commission minutes of 4-6-88, recommending approval of this case. Planner Bergly explained that Rice Creek Watershed District had required the developer to replace the area of wetland that was filled with an equal area of drainage easement, so the new ponding volume would equal pre-development conditions. He advised that the proposed drainage area is less, however, RCWD and Engineer Barry Peters, SEH, agreed that the storage capacity would remain the same, as the pond would be dredged deeper. Marcel Eibensteiner, applicant and developer of Keithson Addition, stated the vacation of the easement would enhance the area by allowing him to save trees. He further stated the drainage problems in the area were created due to the fact the pond was not completed because of a change of plans for the area, as proposed this evening. Hansen moved, seconded by Winiecki, that Council approve Case #88-08, Lot Split and Partial Vacation of Drainage Easement, Keithson Addition, Eibensteiner, subject to applicant filing the easement document. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) STATUS REPORT; LAND STUDY I-35W AND 1-694 Council was referred to the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of 4-6-88; relative to the Task Force study of the land development at the intersection of I-35W and 1-694. Dennis Probst, Planning Commission member and Chair of the Task Force subcommittee, advised Council the subcommittee had agreed to a three-phase approach to the land study, which, hopefully, would take place within a two or three month time period. He stated that to proceed with the preliminary stages of the land study, the Task Force had determined the Planning and Engineering consultants' technical expertise should be utilized. Probst reviewed the Planning Commission recommendation that Council approve an expenditure, not to exceed $5,000, for technical expertise relative to the land study. Council questioned if the amount requested would cover the technical advise required to complete the study; suggested a cost breakdown should be submitted. Planner Bergly reported the funds requested would cover phase one and two of the study; he advised the funds would be utilized to study traffic, access, utilities, soil, available funding. Engineer Peters agreed that the $5,000 should be a sufficient amount to cover phase one and two of the study. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve the Planning Commission request for an expenditure from the Planning Budget, not to exceed $5,000.00, for technical experts to enable the Planning Commission Task Force to proceed with the Land Study at I-35W and 1-694. Peck moved to amend the motion, seconded by Winiecki, that Council recommend Planning Commission prepare a more detailed preliminary estimate of expenditures prior to any subsequent request for funding of this nature. Amendment to motion carried unanimously. (4-0) Original motion as amended carried unanimous. (4-0) Mayor Woodburn commented that the Task Force should not construe the approval of this expenditure as Council endorsement of the project. REPORT OF ENGINEER STATUS REPORT; PAVEMENT MGMT. Council was referred to the Pavement Management Study prepared by SEH on March 15, 1988. Barry Peters was present and reviewed recommendation for a two year program and estimated construction costs for each segment studied; 1988 estimated cost for sealcoating/overlay is $96,000 and 1989 estimated construction cost for sealcoating/overlay is $103,000. . . . ~ " Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, April 11, 1988 Page 3 PAVEMT MGMT (Cont'd) Peters advised that $100,000 was budgeted in 1988 for implementing the program. He stated at this time Council input and authorization to prepare plans and specifications was needed. Peters also suggested Council consider establishing and adopting an assessment policy. Council discussed the construction cost breakdown; questioned if one contractor would be used for both sealcoating and overlay and suggested the Public Works Supervisor report on the study. Peters advised one contractor would be used for construction. Raddatz reported that the $100,000 budgeted does not include the engineering fees; he suggested eliminating the low priority streets scheduled to be done in order to incorporate engineering fees so that the budgeted funds are not exceeded. Councilmember Hansen agreed the engineering fees should be incorporated into the funds budgeted and that the Council should adopt an assessment policy. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve Resolution No. 88-12, Ordering Preparation of Plans and Specifications for the Pavement Management Plan , as outlined in the Engineering Report from Short Elliot and Hendrickson dated 3-15-88, and the expenditure of funds, not to exceed the $100,000 budgeted in 1988, and incorporating engineering fees in the budgeted amount. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR WATER TOWER CONTROLS Council was referred to a memorandum from Public Works Supervisor dated 4-8-88, recommending the control from the old water tower be moved and installed in the new water tower immediately. Raddatz reported he had discussed the recommendation with SEH and received an approximate cost estimate from Automatic Sprinkler Systems Company in the amount of $5,028.00. He stated a firm price on moving the controls would be forthcoming and he would report back to Council at the next Regular Council meeting of 4-25-88. Raddatz further advised that he would explore funding sources for this project, as it was not a budgeted item. EDGEWATER ESTATES; SOIL EROSION PROBLEM Councilmember Winiecki questioned if the Public Works Supervisor was aware of the soil erosion problem which is occurring at Edgewater Estates, on old Highway 10. Raddatz advised he was aware of the problem; he suggested the developer be contacted to construct a silt fence to control the erosion. Barry Peters, SEH, advised the developer was required to place seed in the area last fall, however, the seed did not take. Clerk Administrator Morrison advised she would review the Development Agreement for that project for stipulations regarding soil erosion; upon determining the new owner of the property and transfer of responsibility to such owner, she would forward a letter, on behalf of the Council, requesting correction of the problem. ROYAL HILLS NORTH; EROSION & DRAINAGE PROBLEMS Council discussed the erosion problem at Royal Hills North; an additional $606.50 was included in the contract to cover cleaning of mud from the streets prior to paving, per SEH Change Order No.4. Councilmembers the City has to pay rather than the developer or expressed concern that contractor. Public Works Supervisor Raddatz reported that cost estimates will be forthcoming relative to finishing the water drainage ditch which caused the problems creating erosion of rear yards in this area. He also advised the contractor would be responsible for repair of the sinking roadway, which was caused by moving water services prior to construction of the sewer interceptor. STATUS REPORT; LJVFD CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS Mayor Woodburn reported on the LJVFD contract negotiations; noting the 1988 proposed budget for the fire department had been reduced from $190,000 to $175,000. . . - Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, April II, 1988 Page 4 LJVFD NEG'S (Cont'd) The Mayor advised Council the firefighters had been cooperative and approachable during the negotiation process; reductions occurred in the areas of salaries, reports, and delay of furnishings for Station #1 until 1989. He also noted the fire department would maintain a $200,000 balance in their reserve fund and schedule purchase of a pumper truck for Station #1, within the next two years, from their reserve funds. Council discussed the need to have more clarification on the. LJVFD budget, such as information relative to specific cost overages or savings; it was suggested that one or two representatives from the Finance Committee study and become knowledgeable about the fire department budget. Paul Malone, 1485 Dawn Circle, suggested the LJVFD consider methods to raise funds to supplement their budget. Councilmembers concurred that the contract items negotiated by Woodburn and Hansen were agreeable and complimented both for their efforts to resolve the 1988 LJVFD contrac t. OTHER BUSINESS REPLACEMENT OF ATTY. PLUNKETT . Councilmember Hansen referred to the Clerk Administrator's memorandum of 4-8-88; relative to the replacement of Attorney Rob Plunkett with Harry Niemier from the same firm. Hansen stated she preferred to stay with the firm of Stringer, Courtney and Rohleder to maintain continuity. Councilmembers concurred to remain with the same law firm. BOAT DIRECTION; LAKE JOSEPHINE Councilmember Hansen advised Council it was her opinion the counter-clockwise boating on Lake Josephine would not be successful, as discussed by Council last July. Mayor Woodburn stated it was his opinion the counter-clockwise movement would not be harmful. After discussion, Council concurred to direct the Clerk Administrator to discuss this matter with representatives from the City of Roseville and Jim Tollas, from Ramsey County, and report back to Council. GEESE; LAKE JOHANNA Councilmember Hansen referred Council to the letter from Presbyterian Homes, requesting resolution of the geese problem. Hansen advised she had spoken with Dr. Cooper and he stated the DNR will now issue permits for less than 100 geese, however, he would not be able to take on a contract this year. She noted the cost for resolution of the geese problem would be approximately $1,000 per year for a four year period; funds have not been budgeted for this item. Hansen stated the Lake Johanna Improvement Association would pay for half the costs. Hansen suggested one method of resolving the problem would be to place a notice in the Town Crier and advise residents not to feed the geese. Council concurred they would welcome input and information from residents in the area; suggested maybe a survey be taken in the area to compile resident input. PARKING; CO. RD. F Councilmember Peck questioned if any response had been received from Ramsey County relative to the request for "No Parking" signs to be posted on County Road F. The Clerk Administrator advised the matter was forwarded to Ramsey County and MnDot; a response to the request should be received soon. KING & QUEEN VISIT; SEN. DURENBURGER TOUR Councilmember Peck questioned if the Council would be involved in the plans for the King and Queen of Sweden visit scheduled for April 25th. Winiecki advised that Council had been invited to attend the ceremonies and noted that Senator Durenberger was scheduled to attend. She suggested any Councilmembers attending the ceremonies could take the opportunity to discuss the Army Reserve project with Senator Durenberger. .." Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, April 11, 1988 Page 5 DURENBERGER (Cont'd) Clerk Administrator Morrison offered to contact Mr. Cohen, of Durenberger's staff, to arrange a meeting with the Senator relative to the Army Reserve project. . Council directed Morrison to forward correspondence to Senator Durenberger, requesting a brief meeting on April 25th, to discuss the Army Reserve project proposed for the Twin Cities Arsenal. REQ. DONATIONS Councilmember Winiecki suggested the City staff prepare a list of items which could be donated by various organizations for use by the City in our parks, offices, and public works department. She noted other communities have prepared a listing, with estimated costs, for such items. Mayor Woodburn advised a booklet had been prepared by Arden Hills staff, however it was never printed. CONSULTANT REVIEW Councilmember Winiecki requested Council consider review of consultant contracts prior to renewal; she stated the request in no way reflects on the current consultants. It was her opinion the consultants review and possible re-bid for services may stimulate a stronger commitment from consultants, as there is a tendency toward complacency after a span of service from the same firm. Mayor Woodburn advised the suggestion was a good one, however, the City may loose ~ the historical background in the event new consultant services were contracted. PARKS COMM. ADDITION REQ. FROM MRS. GREEN Mayor Woodburn suggested the recommendation for another appointment to the Park Committee should be held until Councilman Sather is present, as he is the Council liaison to Parks. Council concurred to continue the request from Mrs. Green, for appointment to the Parks Committee, to the Regular Council meeting of April 25, 1988, pending Councilman Sather's recommendation. REPORT OF CLERK ADMINISTRATOR REQ. MERRY-GO-ROUND; & TEMP. SIGN FOR DAYBRIDGE, HAMLINE Council was referred to the request from Daybridge for a Merry-Go-Round on their site, in conjunction with an open house scheduled for April 20th; they also requested and extension on their temporary sign permit until 4/20. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve a permit for a Merry-Go-Round at Daybridge Learning Center, Hamline Avenue, on April 20, 1988, between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) ~ Mayor Woodburn questioned if the Sign Ordinance prohibited special event sign permits being issued in such close proximity; Morrison advised the amendment to the Sign Ordinance, restricting concurrent permits, would not become effective until June 1988. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve extension of a special event sign permit until April 20, 1988. Motion carried. (Hansen, Peck and Winiecki voting in favor; Woodburn opposed) (3-1) PERMITS; ICE CREAM SALES, BLUE BELL & PENGUIN COMPANIES Council was referred to the requests from Blue Bell and and Penguin Ice Cream Vendors to sell ice cream in the City this summer. Morrison advised Blue Bell had been licensed in the City since 1985 and Penguin was a new applicant. She further stated no complaints had been received relative to noise, childrens safety, or the sale of ice cream in the City. Hansen moved, seconded by Winiecki, that Council approve the Permits for Sale of Ice Cream from Blue Bell and Penguin Companies, from April to September 1988. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) , CHANGE ORDER #4; ROYAL HILLS NORTH cleaning mud from Peck moved, seconded by Winiecki, that Council approve Change Order #4, Royal Hills North End, McClung's 3rd Addition, in the amount of $606.50, to cover the cost of streets prior to paving. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) e . . , ..,' , Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, April 11, 1988 Page 6 CLAIMS & PAYROLL Peck moved, seconded by Winiecki, that Council approve Claims and Payroll as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) SENIOR STENO RECMD. Council was referred to the Clerk Administrator's memorandum, 4-7-88, recommending the position of Senior Steno be offered to Ms. Gona Olson, at a starting salary of $8.00 per hour, with a salary review after her six-month probationary period. Ms. Olson is currently employed by the City of Minnetrista and the her current duties appear to be nearly identical to those required in our Senior Steno position. Morrison advised Ms. Olson would be available to start three weeks after notification to her current employer. Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve the hiring of Ms. Gona Olson, for the position of Senior Steno with the City of Arden Hills, at a starting salary of $8.00 per hour, with a review after her six-month probationary period. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) PART-TIME RECEPT. Council was referred to Morrison's memorandum of 4-8-88, outlining a position description for the part-time receptionist position and recommending a schedule of 25 hours per week. Morrison suggested the salary be set at $5.00 or $5.25 per hour. The Clerk Administrator explained her request included Council approval of funds to move the computer station, purchase a typewriter for the receptionist position and Council approval of the position description. She noted that funds are available in the 1988 Administrative Office Budget to cover the purchase of a typewriter. Morrison suggested the position be advertised in the local newspapers the week of 4/18 and 4/25/88. Council suggested the position descriptions for the Senior Steno and Part-time Receptionist include the wording "computer experience", rather than IBM PC experience; it was also suggested the Clerk Administrator determine if it is necessary to advertise the position in a minority publication. Moved by Hansen, seconded by Peck, that Council approve the position description for the part-time Receptionist, as outlined in the memorandum dated 4-8-88, and authorize the Clerk Administrator to advertise for the position during the weeks of 4/18 and 4/25/88, in the New Brighton Bulletin and Focus Newspapers, and any other required publication. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) PURCH. TYPEWRITER AND MOVE COMPUTER Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that Council approve the expenditure of funds to purchase a typewriter for the part-time Receptionist use and move the computer station Steno. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) for use by the Senior INTERIM APPTMT.; MRS. MC NIESH Mayor Woodburn requested Council consideration of the appointment of Charlotte McNiesh as Clerk Administrator until such time as a permanent appointment is made for the position. Woodburn advised Council he had discussed the matter with McNiesh to determine if she was interested before requesting Council consideration. After discussion, Council concurred with the Mayor's recommendation to appoint Mrs. McNiesh to serve as interim Clerk Administrator, at the hourly salary rate of $20.32. ADJOURNMENT Hansen moved, seconded by Peck, that the meeting be adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) c //:;- , I;. '0'.. fl'>,.' . ~ I J) II/FCC ;"(/:>,/ /,-0/,7'"'. '.. ../ j.- ..Robert L. Woodburn . Mayor Patricia :J. orrison Clerk Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Monday, April 25, 1988, at 7:30 p.m., at the Village Hall.