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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 03-20-2006 ~ . ~~HILLS Approved: April I 0, 2006 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2006, 5:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 Call To Order Mayor Aplikowski called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Aplikowski, Councilmembers: Gregg Larson, David Grant, Brenda Holden, and Vincc Pellegrin (Excused Absence at 6:30 PM) Absent: None Staff present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director, Murtuza Siddiqui; Assistant to the City Administrator, Schawn Johnson; Operations ard Maintenance Director, Tom Moore; Civil Engineer, Kris Giga; City Plalmer, James Lehnhoff; and URS Engineer, Greg Brown . Hamline Avenue-Traffic Concerns Ramsey County Traffic Engineer Dan Soler presented the City Council and City staff with a traffic analysis of Hamline Avenue from Highway 96 to County Road F. The traffic study provided the City Council with an overview of the number of traffic accidents, traffic volume, and signal warrant analysis of Ham line Avenue. Mr. Soler noted that there have been 59 traffic accidents along Hamline Avenue from 2002 to 2005. Ramsey County accident reports state that there have been very few mid-block accidents along Hamline Avenue. At this time, the traffic counts and accident numbers do not warrant a mid-block traffic control device along Hamline Avenue. The peak usage for Hamline Avenue is during the morning and evening rush hours. Councilmember Larson asked what the average stop time is for a vehicle waiting to make a right hand tum onto Harnline Avenue from Highway 96. Mr. Soler said that more cars are waiting to make a right hand turn onto Hamline Avenue. Therefore, there are more delays for drivers in the right hand turn lane. Mayor Aplikowski reiterated that at this time there is no engineering justification for installing a siguallight at any ofthe intersections along this section of Ham line Avenue. . Mr. Dan Soler said that the traffic concentrations along this roadway are not high enough to warrant a signal light at this time. City Council Work Session Meeting March 20, 2006 2 . Councilmember Larson asked what the typical wait is for a driver at a red light. Ramsey County Traffic Engineer Dan Soler said that some lights have a 150 to 160 second light delay. Councilmember Holden asked if the traffic study was completed prior to the increased enforcement on Hamline Avenue for the "No-Tum on Red" sign. Mr. Soler said that the traffic study was completed in October of 2005. The Ramsey County Sheriffs Department increased enforcement efforts had already begun at that time. Mr. Dan Soler reported to the City Council that Ramsey County has placed a request to the State of Minnesota stating that traffic siguals are necded at County Road F and Hamline Avenue. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has denied the request at this time. The State of Mimlesota is planning to reconfigure Hamline Avenue. The new configuration would eliminate the current access to 694. Councilmember Holden asked ifthere is a proposed time line for the 694 project. Mr. Soler said that the proposed project is tentatively scheduled from 2010 to 2012. The . proposed project would be part of tile State's "Unweave the Weave" project. Mayor Aplikowski noted that the only way the City could possibly install a traffic signal in this area would be if Amble Drive and Arden View Court were connected. The City would be responsible for the reconstruction costs. Also, the City would have to reach an agreement with the town home complex on this issue. She is not sure if this is thc answer to the City's traffic problems for this area. Councilmember Pellegrin said that the installation of a new traffic signal along Hamline Avenue seems to be counter productive. Councilmember Larson agreed with Councilmember Pellegrin that a traffic signal is not warranted at this time. Mr. Soler recommended to the City Council that they do not make any major road improvements at this time and wait until the State of Minnesota solidify its future plans for 694, 35W, and Highway 10. Mayor Aplikowski requested that City staff continue to monitor this situation and keep the City Council informed of any changes regarding future reconstruction plans with the State of Minnesota and Ramsey County. . City Council Work Session Meeting March 20, 2006 3 . 2006 PMP Update URS Engineer Greg Brown provided the City Council with an update on the proposed 2006 PMP project. As a result of discussions with local residents, the Rice Creek Watershed, and the Islalld Beach Club a number of residents have expressed interest installing rain gardens. At this time, there are five or six residential lots that are good candidates for the installation of rain gardens. The proposed design of the rain gardens would have a minimal impact on the resident's yard and the water overflow would go directly into the storm sewer system. At this time, engineering is proposing the installation of three storm water ponds. The existing area is a natural wetland area that collects heavy sediment. A second item of discussion is that the City does not have any drainage easements for this area. In order to maintain the storm ponds in the future, the City would have to work out an agreement with some of the property owners. Councilmember Grant requested that City staff contact the City of Maplewood to gauge their success with installing rain gardens. Councilmember Larson asked who would be responsible for the maintenance costs associated with a rain garden. . Civil Engineer Kris Giga said that she is currently researching this item and is reviewing different ways the City could assess a property owner for not properly maintaining a rain garden. COlmcilmember Larson requested that the City pursue additional funding for the rain gardens through the Rice Creek Watershed. URS Engineer Greg Brown said that he has contacted Rice Creek Watershed, but he would contact the City's representative on the Rice Creek Watershed board about available funding. Councilmember Holden asked what are the cstimated costs for maintaining rain gardens. City Administrator Wolfe replied that it was likely that the homeowner would be responsible for tlle maintenance costs. Mayor Aplikowski requested that the drainage easement be transferable if the property is ever sold. Civil Engineer Kris Giga provided the City Council with an overview of the City's past practices regarding assessing beach clubs and associations that own property with-in a PMP area. In 2003, thc City's assessment policy was to assess properties on a front footage basis. The assessment policy was changed in 2004 to assess properties on a per lot basis. The assessment policy is . based on 50% ofthe road improvement costs. City Council Work Session Meeting March 20, 2006 4 . In 2003, the assessment policy was appealed by the Josephine Hills Association and exempted by Council in the amount of $4,512.00. The potential assessment for the Arden Hills Island Beach Club is $6,500 per lot, with the Beach Club being assessed for an equivalent of 12 lots. This amounts to $78,000. If the Beach Club is not assessed, the assessment rate for the surrounding properties would increase to $8,SOO. The exemption of the Josephine Hills Association did not affect the amount of the assessment to the other properties. URS Engineer Greg Brown said that the Beach Club would like to be reimbursed for the storm water pond easement ifthey are assessed for the PMP proj ect. Civil Engineer Kris Giga also requested input from the City Council regarding assessment schedules. In the past, property owners have been assessed at the begimling of a PMP project. City staff is recommending that the assessment hearing occur following the completion of the project. If this is done, the property owners would be assessed for the actual costs of the PMP project. Councilmember Larson said that it appeared most PMP projects experience cost overruns. It would probably be in the City's best interest to wait until the project is completed to have the . assessment hearing. City Administrator Wolfe said that the City could assess for a proj ect if it is deemed substantially completed. Mayor Aplikowski requested that City staff reviews the assessment policy and come back with suggestions for the City COlillcil to consider at a future meeting. City Administrator Wolfe said that City's staff intention was to gauge the City Councils interest in moving the assessment process to the end of a PMP project. Councilmember Holden asked ifthe Beach Club property could be developed. Mayor Aplikowski said that the Beach Club is now considered private property. The property does have some monetary value to the members. The City could consider reducing the assessment cost for this piece of property. Councilmember Larson said that there is a fairness issue in that the City has established past practice regarding how it handled the Ingerson PMP assessment process. The Josephine Hills property was deemed not buildable by the original purchase agreement. Councilmember Holden said that it is her belief that any property can be developed. It was the . legal agreement that stated that the land could not be developed during the Ingerson PMP proj ect. City Council Work Session Meeting March 20, 2006 5 . Councilmember Grant requested that City staff review the assessment policy and work on obtaining a history ofthe Beach Club property from some of the members. URS Engineer Greg Brown stated that reconfiguration of private driveways will not be necessary for this PMP project. There is a possibility that a retaining wall and a few trees may have to be removed for reconstructing the roadway. Councilmember Holden said that she is concerned about the City's five year CIP. The Ridgewood project will be very large and expensive project. Councilmember Larson said that the City will probably will have to delay future projects if we proceed with the 2006 PMP project, but we will have to evaluate proposed projects on a year to year basis. Councilmember Grant requested a future discussion regarding the five year CIP plan. City Administrator Wolfe said that most likely all of the projects on the five-year CIP list cannot be completed as projected. The City will have to revise the list of projects that will be delayed or pushed into the future. . City Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces City Administrator Michelle Wolfe provided the City Council with an overview of the City commissions, committees, and task force discussion. Last year, the City Council indicated a desire to review the structure and procedures for various City commissions, committees, and task forces. Currently, the City does not have a consistent process regarding the operation, formation, and appointing of new members. Mayor Aplikowski and City Administrator Wolfe began to review the City's past practices, committee structures, and by-laws from other communities. A document was provided that identifies existing committee/commissions and task forces by providing some discussion points and different types of committees. City staff is seeking City Council's input regarding the proposed commission, committee, and task force structure. Councilmember Holden raised concerns that some commissions and committees have access to a secretary. She does not believe that the PTRC should be allowed to use the recording secretary. Councilmember Larson agreed with Councilmember Holden's concern that the PTRC should not have a meeting secretary. Councilmember Holden raised concerns about the three year rotating terms for commission and committee members. Councilmember Larson also expressed concern about the term limits. How would the City . appoint new members aIld what happens if we have openings that are not being filled. City Council Work Session Meeting March 20, 2006 6 . City Administrator Wolfe said that it is important for the City to establish a standardized process for recruiting and selecting new members. Mayor Aplikowski asked the City Council if they were interested in rotating through the different Council liaison assigrunents. Councilmember Grant agreed that City Council Members should rotate through the different committees on an annual basis. City Administrator Wolfe asked the City Council if they would like to receive copies of the meeting agendas and/or packets for the PTRC and Planning Commission. Members of the City Council agreed that they would like to receive copies of the meeting agendas. If they have any questions or concerns regarding the agenda, they will contact the appropriate department head. COlillcil liaisons for the different committees, commissions, or task forces should receive full meeting packets. Also, copies of meeting minutes for committees, commissions, or task forces should be provided to the City Council. Members of the City Council agreed to continue the discussion regarding commISSIon, committees, and task force guidelines at a future work session meeting. . City Hall Security System Up!!rades Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui provided the City Council with an overview of the proposed security improvements at City Hall. City staff is proposing the installation of security cameras and two new swipe card readers for interior doors at City Hall. A number of safety concerns were raised after the City's fraud incident. One of the primary concerns was how to safeguard the City's equipment at City Hall. City staff believes that it would be advantageous for the City to install five security cameras for the parking lot, City hall entry way, and upstairs meeting room area. The security cameras would be able to monitor all activities within the cameras' viewing range. The second option is to install swipe cards for two interior doors that are routinely used by City staff. The two doors are located by the receptionist area and the front main City Hall entrance. City staff has received a bid of $6,000 for the installation oftwo card readers from Pro-Tech for City Hall. Pro-Tech originally installed the card readers and connected them to the City's existing security system. The current bid for the card swipes is estimated to be under $4,000. The City budgeted $4,500 for this improvement in the 2006 budget. The estimated cost for these items is estimated to be $10,000. The City has budgeted $7,500 for these improvements. The projected improvements are eligible to be funded out of the City's cable fund. City Administrator Michelle Wolfe said that in the past the City has issued external keys to City . staff members. Due to the fraud case, the City has changed the external locks to City Hall. At this time, only four employees have been issued external keys to City Hall. The installation of key cards at City Hall would reduce the need for keys at City Hall and improve security. City City Council Work Session Meeting March 20, 2006 7 . staff is also planning on installing push bars for the City Council chambers. This will allow City staffto lock the doors to the council chambers. Mayor Aplikowski requested that a member of the City Council also receive a key for the external doors at City Hall in case there is an emergency. Members of the City Council were comfortable with staffs recommendation and requested that this item be brought forth to a future City Council meeting for further discussion. I-35W Corridor Coalition-Membership Discussion Mayor Aplikowski provided the City Council with an update regarding the City's proposed membership with the I-35W Corridor Coalition. The proposed membership cost to the City is $5300.00 for 2006. At this time, the I-35W Corridor Coalition is seeking federal funds for improvements to I-35W. Mayor Aplikowski stated that she believes it is important for the City to be at the table regarding the I-35W discussions due to the City's proximity to the freeway system. City Administrator Wolfe said that State Senator Chaudhary and State Representative Samuelson are working together to seek state funding for the I-35W study. Also, US Senator Norm Coleman is seeking federal funds for the I-35W study. . Councilmember Larson said that he is in-favor of joining the I-35W Coalition. Councilmember Holden is concemed that the City of Arden Hills will be used as a tool for the gain of other members of the group. The coalition is moving farther north, and trying to recruit ci ti es as far north as Forest Lake. City Administrator Wolfe asked the City Council if there is a consensus to place this item on a future City Council agenda for discussion. Members of the City Council were in agreement that this item should be placed on a future City Council meeting agenda for further discussion. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM Respectfully submitted by Schawn P. Johnson . A~\~ 6~~' . Michelle A. Wolfe, CITY AD INISTRATOR