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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-10-2006 . . . ~ ~~HILLS Approved: April 24, 2006 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 10,2006; 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HIU,S CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Beverly Aplikowski called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:02 p.m. Present: Mayor Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmembers David Grant, Gregg Larson, Brenda Holden, and Vincent Pellegrin. Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Director of Operations & Maintenance, Thomas Moore; Community Development Director, Karen Barton; City Engineer, Kristine Giga; Assistant City Administrator, Schawn Johnson; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION; Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Pellegrin seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 27,2006 City Council Meeting B. March 20,2006 Work Session Meeting Councilmember Larson requested the following change: March 27,2006 City Council Meeting Minutes, Page 4, first motion, last sentence, strike the word "unanimous". . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 2 MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve the March 27, 2006 City Council Meeting Minutes as amended and the March 20, 2006 Council Work Session Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Claims and Payroll b. Resolution 06-28: Approving a Joint Powers Agreement Between the City of Arden Hills and the Ramsey County GIS Users Group MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 4. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 5. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL . None. . 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Awardinl! of the 2006 Tree Removal Contract to 4 Seasons Tree Care aud Fritz Tree Service Mr. Moore stated on March 27, City staff publicly opened and accepted bids from tree removal contractors for the City's 2006 Tree and Stump Removal Contract. The City received five bids with 4 Season's Tree Care having the lowest bid for the accessible trees and Fritz's Tree Care having the lowest bid for the non-accessible trees. He recommended Council award the 2006 tree and stump removal contract for accessible tree removal and tree trimming to 4 Seasons Tree Care Inc. for the April 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 time period and award the 2006 tree and stump removal contract for non-accessible tree removal, excess stump removal, woodpile removal, and brush removal to Pritz Tree Service for the April 1, 2006 to December 31,2006 time period. Mr. Johnson reviewed the bids received. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 3 . MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to award the 2006 tree and stump removal contract for accessible tree removal and tree trimming to 4 Seasons Tree Care Inc. for the April 1 , 2006 to December 31, 2006 time period and award the 2006 tree and stump removal contract for non-accessible tree removal, excess stump removal, woodpile removal, and brush removal to Fritz Tree Service for the April 1,2006 to December 31, 2006 time period The motion carried unanimously (5-0). B. Resolution 06-29: Approvine Plans and Specifications for the 2006 Rideewood Neiehborhood PMP Improvement Proiect C. Resolution 06-29: Authorizine the Advertisement of Bids for the 2006 Rideewood Neiehborhood PMP Improvement Proiect . Ms. Giga stated URS is nearing completion of the plans and specifications for the 2006 PMP Ridgewood Neighborhood. The project consists of reconstructing the streets in the neighborhood and constructing concrete curb and gutter, retaining walls, a storm sewer system, including three sedimentation ponds and thirteen to sixteen rain gardens. The project also includes the replacement of the watermain and water services along Arden Place, hydrants and gate valves throughout the neighborhood, and sanitary sewer forcemain along Lake Johanna Boulevard, Ridgewood Road, and Arden Place. The watermain and sanitary forcemain pipes are proposed to be installed using trenchless technologies. She noted the total estimated project cost for the improvement is $1,918,168.42 including engineering costs. Any expenses required for drainage easement acquisition are not included in this amount. The City's portion of the project costs are currently budgeted from the General Capital Fund and Utility Enterprise Fund (sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and watermain funds). She stated staff is in the process of working with the City Attorney and affected properties to obtain the drainage and utility easements needed for this project. The plans reflect proposed improvements based on the acquisition of the easements. If agreements cannot be reached with affected property owners on the easement acquisition, plans will be modified accordingly to account for a design change. She indicated in order to capture a market for competitive bid prices and keep the project on a timely schedule; these plans should be advertised in April. Bids would be opened in early May and, if accepted by COUl1Cil, awarded in late Mayor early June. Construction would then likely begin sometime in June. If a delay would occur in approving plans and authorizing advertisement for bids, this would delay the entire schedule, which could potentially delay the proj ect to the next construction season. . She recommended Council adopt the Resolution. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 4 . Councilmember Holden asked how staff determined this was a competitive bidding market. Ms. Giga responded historically the later in the year a project is bid out, the higher the bids were because the contractors had already prepared their seasonal schedule. Mayor Aplikowski stated she believed going for bids early also ensured they would get a better crew on the project. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Pellegrin seconded a motion to approve Resolution 06-29, Approving Final Plans and Specifications Ordering Advertisement for Bids for the 2006 Pavement Management Program. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). D. Motion to Approve the City of Arden Hills Membership on the I-35W Corridor Coalition Ms. Wolfe stated Council previously discussed possible membership in the I-35W Corridor Coalition at the January and March Work Sessions. Background information was provided in the packets for both of those meetings. There is not any new information available. In January, Council had concluded that further discussion was needed at a future work session. In March, Council directed the item be placed on a future regular meeting agenda for discussion and vote. . She recommended Council approve a motion to direct staff to either proceed or not proceed with payment of the 2006 dues ($5,340) for membership in the North Metro I-35W Corridor Coalition. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Pellegrin seconded a motion to approve payment of the 2006 dues in the amount of $5,340 for membership in the North Metro I-35W Corridor Coalition. Councilmember Pellegrin stated he had attended the most recent I-35W Coalition in which MnDOT plans were discussed. He believed the City needed to be at these meetings because the Coalition was discussing issues of transportation that could impact the City of Arden Hills and therefore he was in support of rejoining the Coalition. He stated he was fearful that they would have things done to them and he wanted to be able to voice their opinions and take action on things that came up that were of interest to the City. Councilmember Holden stated she was concerned about the Council not taking an official stand on Highway 10, 1-35, etc. and asked how they could take a stand at the Coalition meetings when they had not discussed this as a Council. She believed they were signing their rights away by joining this organization and noted it was by a majority of a quorum that decisions were made and asked what rights the City had. She stated she was also concerned about how the Coalition was going to prioritize modeling. She asked if they had the right to make a decision on everything along the corridor, or was it only exit and access points along the I-35W. She stated . she did not trust this organization yet and she did not see how the Coalition could speak for the . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL ~ APRIL 10, 2006 5 City. She also noted her concern with how the disbandment of the I-35W Solutions Task Force was handled. Mayor Aplikowski stated because of Councilmember Holden's concerns, she believed that was the exact reason why they needed to be a member of this Coalition so the City would have a vOIce. Councilmember Larson stated having sat in on some of the Task Force meetings he was not sure he was fully happy with the way things unfolded, but he had learned things that he would not otherwise had learned. He believed the questions Councilmember Holden asked were all questions that could be answered by this Coalition. He believed the City had many transportation issues that at some point would need to be addressed. He agreed that the Council needed to come up with positions that they would advocate if they participated in the Coalition. He stated it was important the City had a clear understanding what they wanted with respect to transportation. He indicated he would support the motion. Councilmember Grant stated he wanted the Council to have a major say on Highway 96 and 10. He stated he did not like decisions being made by quorum particularly by cities that did not have a vested interest in this area. He believed there were ways to voice their concerns whether they were a member of the Coalition or not. He stated this was not a matter of money, but a question of having representation and not signing away their authority. He stated he believed the City of New Brighton would try to redesign the northwest corridor, which would dump more traffic onto Highway 96. Mayor Aplikowski noted one member City did not have any more power than the City of Arden Hills and the City of New Brighton was only one member on the Coalition. Councilmember Grant stated he would vote no for this because if they signed the Joint Powers Agreement they would be giving their rights away. Councilmember Graut called the question. The motion carried (3-2 Councilmembers Grant and Holden opposed). MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and COUl1cilmember Pellegrin seconded a motion to authorize Mayor Aplikowski to sign the Joint Powers Agreement. The motion carried (4-1 Councilmember Grant opposed). Councilmember Holden clarified her vote for the signing of the Joint Powers Agreement. She stated she had voted for the signing of the Joint Powers Agreement in error and she was opposed to the signing of the Agreement. Councilmember Holden requested a future discussion regarding Council's stand on Highway 10 and 96. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 6 Councilmember Grant asked the topic of code enforcement also be added to a work session agenda. Councilmember Holden stated she wanted a discussion on how to request items to be put on an agenda. Councilmember Larson stated it was fine to discuss the Highway 96 corridor, but he believed the issues were broader than just 96 including the interchange of 35W and Highway 694, the closure of County Road I, the bridge, etc. Mayor Aplikowski requested staff put the Code Enforcement discussion on the May Work Session agenda. She stated it would be helpful if the County made a presentation on the Highway 96 corridor, so they could have that discussion in June. Ms. Wolfe stated she would also add how Council should add items to the agenda at the April Work Session. E. Motion to Approve a Contract with DeSCO Solutious, Inc. for the Development of an Economic Development Plan in the amount of $10,000 Ms. Barton stated in October, 2005, the Economic Development Commission approved a recommendation to the Council to consider budgeting for a strategic economic development planning process that would include the hiring of a professional consultant to guide the City Council, EDC, and other commissions in the production of an Arden Hills Economic Development Plan. At the November 21, 2005 Council Work Session, Council discussed budgeting for this item. The amount of $1 0,000 has been budgeted for this item. She noted the EDC sent out a request for proposals in February, 2006. They received three responses. After reviewing each of the proposals and interviewing two of the firms, the EDC has selected a firm to facilitate the production of an Economic Development Plan for Arden Hills. She recommended Council approve the contract with DeSCo Solutions, Inc., in the amount of $10,000 for the production of an Economic Development Plan for thc City to be facilitated through the Economic Development Commission for the City, and authorize the Community Development Director to execute said contract. Councilmember Larson inquired about the timeline for completing the plan. Ms. Barton responded it would take approximately four months. Councilmember Larson stated he was supportive of this, but he was concerned about Phase 5 and the development of TCAAP. He asked what happened if they proceeded with this plan and they were not at a point where they could discuss with the developers and the City the TCAAP area. He indicated he believed TCAAP needed to be a part of this plan and he was concerned about the timing of this. Ms. Barton stated the marketing plan would be addressed in two parts, one with the City as it currently was and one when TCAAP was developed. She noted DeSCo . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 7 would also make themselves available in the future for questions and revision of the plan as necessary. Councilmember Larson believed they needed to involve the development team on this as well. Councilmember Grant stated he was in agreement with the six phases and he hoped one of the goals of the marketing plan would be to refer to TCAAP as something other than TCAAP. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve the contract with DeSCo Solutions, Inc., in the amount of $10,000 for the production of an Economic Development Plan for the City of Arden Hills to be facilitated through the Economic Development Commission for the City, and authorize the Commnnity Development Director to execute said contract. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. PTRC Vision Plan Mr, Moore stated at the February 21, 2006 City Council Work Session, the PTRC presented a draft vision of parks and trails in Arden Hills. In addition, the PTRC requested three subsequent meetings with the City Council to discuss and revise the vision statement as necessary; identify priority strategies that flow from the vision statement; and develop a plan for the financing of these strategies. Issues that the PTRC believe should be discussed in the context of this discussion include the considerations discussed by the PTRC in developing the draft vision statement; the wording of the vision statement; and implications of the revised vision statement for subsequent discussions of possible strategies and financing. He stated the PTRC recommends the adoption of a vision statement and that a discussion of priorities be scheduled for the May 22, 2006 City Council Meeting. Bill Henry, Chairman PTRC, presented the PTRC Vision Plan for Council discussion. Councilmember Holden asked if they knew the number of people that used the existing parks. Mr. Moore responded they had data as far as it related to recreational programs offered through the City, but he had no numbers related to general or off-peak use of the parks and trails in the City. Councilmember Holden expressed concern there were not enough benches in the parks and trails and she did not see that addressed in the vision. Mr. Henry stated that would be addressed when they looked at the specific strategies, but right now they were just trying to get the vision down. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 8 Mayor Aplikowski inquired about recreational programming for younger residents. Mr. Henry responded they would also look at that when they addressed strategies, which would be the next step. Councilmember Holden asked how the previous plan presented was different than this vision. Mr. Henry responded the idea was to identify the considerations, which was done last time, which was how they got to this vision and once the vision could be adopted they would move on to the next stage of specific strategies. Councilmember Grant asked why residents would need access to the marshes. Mr. Henry responded marshes were excellent resources for bird and wildlife viewing. He stated however it was not their vision that they would propose trails through marshes. Councilmember Grant inquired about the financial funding resources clause in the vision and if the PTRC was asking for tax increases. Mr. Heury responded that items would not be fUllded via taxes but rather grants that were presented to Council at their work session. Mayor Aplikowski suggested they add a bullet point to the vision to provide important resources to develop and enhance neighborhood parks. Mr. Henry suggested wording of "develops and maintains a system of neighborhood parks and trails" as the second bullet point. Couucilmember Holden asked if neighborhood park wording might be limiting. Mr. Henry recommended they leave in the wording of neighborhood parks, which would also include central resources. Councilmember Grant asked the PTRC to come back to the Council with the revisions to the Vision as discussed at this meeting. Mayor Aplikowski suggested the last paragraph be worded: "This Vision will be achieved with the leadership of the City Council and the support of the commUllity. . . ". B. TCAAP Update Ms. Barton updated the Council on recent TCAAP developments. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Ms. Wolfe - None. Councilmember Holden - None. Councilmember Grant - Stated the Council would be adjourning to a closed work session to discuss the TCAAP land sale negotiations. Councilmember Larson - None. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - APRIL 10, 2006 9 Councilmember Pellegrin - None. Mayor Aplikowski - None. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:32 p.m. ~ko:1~' ~~eJtW~ Mayor City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Council Meeting will be held Monday, April 24, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Arden Hills Council Chambers.