HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 07-17-2006
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Approved: 8/29/06
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
WORK SESSION MEETING
JULY 17, 2006; 5:07 P.M.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Beverly Aplikowski called to order the
work session meeting at 5:07 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; Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer,
Murtuza Siddiqui; Civil Engineer, Kris Giga; City Engineer, Deb Bloom; Assistant City
Administrator, Schawn Johnson; and Recreation Supervisor, Michelle Olson
Closed Meeting: TCAAP Land Sale Negotiations-Pursuant to MS 13D.05 SUBD 3.e3
Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Work Session meeting at 5:10 p.m. and announced that the
City Council will be in closed session to discuss the TCAAP land sale negotiations.
The meeting was reconvened at 6:04 p.rn.
CIP Diseussion-
Civil Engineer Kris Giga provided the City Council with an overview of the proposed five-year
CIP. Ms. Giga noted that the 2006 CIP has been revised and that the CSAH 96 landscaping and
Tony Schmidt Park Underpass remains in the budget. Inflow/Infiltration mitigation work and the
emergency vehicle preemption systems have been added to the 2006 CIP budget. The lift station
project was removed due to higher than expected costs. Also, the proposed replacement of the
Toro Groundsmaster and back-up generator were removed from the proposed 2006 CIP.
Civil Engineer Giga reviewed the Goodpointe PC! numbers with the City Council. The City's
goal is to have an average PCI street rating of 75 for the whole City. The revised PMP
. reconstruction and/or seal coating schedule is based upon the following criteria used by
Goodpointe Technologies:
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 17, 2006 2
. . Does the street have concrete curb and gutter;
. Does tbe street need watermain, sanitary sewer, or storm sewer improvements;
. Does the street have an adequate base or bituminous thickness;
Councilmember Holden asked what maintenance activities will be done for the streets that do not
have curb and gutter.
Civil Engineer Giga said that City staff will research the possibility of seal coating streets that do
not have curb and gutter and are in good shape. In order to capture mill and overlay streets, staff
has developed a regional approach. The 2007 PMP includes mill and overlay streets in the
southern portion and sealcoats in the northern part of the City. In 2009, the regions will be
reversed.
Councilmember Larson asked if City staff has done any testing on the roads that are scheduled
for mill and overlay to ensure that they have adequate sub-base.
Civil Engineer Kris Giga said that City staff will review as-builts and check the current status of
the streets to ensure that mill and overlay or seal coating is an appropriate maintenance
procedure.
Councilmember Grant asked what is the cost difference between a mill & overlay and a
. reconstruction project.
Ms. Giga said that a mill and overlay project costs less that a full reconstruction projcct.
City Engineer Deb Bloom said that a mill & overlay will typically last ten to fifteen years.
Councilmember Larson asked City staff how many streets will need to be reconstructed after
2011.
Civil Engineer Giga said that City staff plans to provide members of the City Council with a
future PMP project plan after 2011. City staff will continue to balance PMP projects. City
staffs intention is to concentrate on mill and overlays for the first five years of the CIP.
Based on the discussion from the April work session, City staff has incorporated MSA eligible
proj ects into the five year CIP. Funds are currently available for a cooperative agreement with
MnDOT for the County Road E bridge project. The following is a list of the MSA eligible
projects in the five year CIP:
. 2007 Old Highway 10 Sidewalk
. 2008 County Road E-North Option
. 2010 Snelling Avenue Regional Trail
. Unassigned Projects:
. County Road D Trail;
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 17,2006 3
e . West Round Lake Road and Trail.
Councilmember Larson reconunended that the County Road E north sidewalk option be removed
from the five-year CIP and that the City Council consider all available options at this time.
Councilmember Holden suggested that the north option remain on the five year CIP.
Recreation Supervisor Michelle Olson noted that the PTRC recommended that the sidewalk be
constructed on the south side.
City Administrator Michelle Wolfe said that City staff inserted the more expensive option in the
five-year CIP to ensure that necessary funding is available if the City Council decided to pursue
the north sidewalk option.
Councilmember Holden inquired about future road improvements for County Road D.
City Engineer Deb Bloom said that the planned reconstruction of County Road D has been
placed on hold by Ramsey County. County Road D was recently milled and overlayed.
City Administrator Wolfe said that the County D sidewalk project is considered an unassigned
project at this time. It is pending Ramsey County's reconstruction of County Road D.
. Councilmember Grant requested that City staff complete the cooperative agreement application
for funding the County Road E sidewalk project.
Councilmember Larson asked if there are otller projects that are eligible for MnDOT cooperative
agreement funding.
City Engineer Deb Bloom said that City must utilize cooperative agreement funding for a road
that is part of the trunk highway system. Federal and state grant dollars are also available for
projects associated with Old Highway 10 and Snelling Avenue. The City is allocated
approximately $200,000 in MSA funds on a yearly basis.
Councilmember Larson said that the Snelling Avenue may be a difficult project to fund due to
the lack of frontage on Snelling Avenue.
City Engineer Deb Bloom said that it will be difficult for the City to assess home owners due to
the lack of frontage and park property.
City Administrator Wolfe said that the City may have to modify its existing assessment policy to
prove that the project will increase the property value of the homes along Snelling Avenue.
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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 17, 2006 4
e Civil Engineer Giga reviewed the Parks and Recreation portion of the CIP for the City Council.
At this time, the five year ClP includes surface improvements for the City's tennis and basketball
courts and trail signage.
City Administrator Michelle Wolfe said that City staff will research fue City's original intent in
purchasing new park and trail signs.
Councilmember Larson suggested that trail signage be removed from the five year CIP. He
reconunended that the PTRC research the issue further and report back to the City Council at a
future date.
Councilmember Pellegrin said that it would be very difficult for him to support investing
$25,000 in new park trail signage, when pavement improvement projects are being pushed back
in the proposed CIP.
Mayor Aplikowski reconunended that trail signage be left in the proposed CIP at this time.
Councilmember Holden asked how many gateway signs are being proposed.
City Administrator Wolfe said that it was her understanding that four gateway sign locations
were being proposed.
. Councilmember Grant said that he recalled eight gateway signs were originally proposed.
Mayor Aplikowski requested a list of the eight proposed gateway sign locations be created and a
cost estimate for each site.
Councilmember Holden said that she has a problem spending that much money on a gateway
SIgn.
Mayor Aplikowski requested that City staff research less expensive options for the City Council
to consider regarding gateway signs.
Members of the City Council agreed that the proposed gateway signs should be postponed and
revisited at a future date.
Councilmember Vince Pellegrin left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Civil Engineer Kris Giga provided the City Council with an overview of the proposed public
works related CIP projects. Due to the City's inflow/infiltration problem with its sanitary sewer
system, City staff has placed an added emphasis on repairing or replacing manholes and sealing
sewer lines throughout the City. Hopefully this will reduce the amount of III water that is
entering the City's sanitary sewer system.
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e City staff will also placed an added emphasis on cleaning and maintaining outlets and culverts
connected to the City's storm sewer system. Due to the Storm Water Pollution Prevention
Program, City staff will be more involved with pond maintenance and water quality control
measures. A number of the storm water improvements will be associated with future PMP
projects.
At this time, proposed improvement proj ects such as lift station replacements and the installation
of a new SCADA system have been placed on the future CIP list. According to the O&M
Department, lift stations #11 and #13 should be replaced before #1 and #12. City staff is
recommending that the lift station project be divided into two separate projects, where two lift
stations are replaced at one time.
The O&M Department has reviewed the equipment inventory and has prepared a replacement
schedule. Staff is currently evaluating options for the water tanker. The Toro Groundsmaster
that was scheduled to be purchased in 2006 has been postponed until 2009. Staffwill continue to
evaluate the condition of all pieces of equipment to prevent the purchase of equipment that does
not yet need replacement.
Councilmember Larson asked where will the proceeds from the proposed the old City Hall site
land sale be placed.
e Chief Financial Officer Murtuza Siddiqui said that he will have a future discussion with the City
Council regarding where the revenues should be placed within the City budget.
City staff will review and revised the proposed five year CIP and will continue this discussion at
a future meeting.
2007 Preliminary Budget Diseussion-
Chief Financial Officer Murtuza Siddiqui provided the City Council with an overview of the
2007 budgeting process. Mr. Siddiqui noted that once again in 2007 there are no levy limits for
local governments. In 2006, the City Council agreed to levy 4%. Chief Financial Officer
Siddiqui is requesting guidance from the City Council in the following areas:
1. Tax Levy;
2. Salaries and Benefits;
3. City Contributions Toward Employee Benefits;
4. Updating the Five Year CIP.
Councilmember Holden asked how many budget amendments have been made to the general
fund budget this year.
Chief Financial Officer Siddiqui said that approximately six amendments have been made to the
2006 budget for under $100,000.
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e Mr. Siddiqui stated that City staff has been working on the 2007 preliminary budget. In order to
complete the preliminary budget, City staff is seeking City Council input regarding levy limits
for 2007.
Members ofthe City Council reconunended a 4% levy for 2007.
Chief Financial Officer Murtuza Siddiqui requested guidance from the City Council regarding
the COLA salary increases for non-union staff members in 2007. At this time, the Local 4gers
are scheduled to receive a 2.75% increase in 2007. City staff is recommending a COLA increase
of2.75% for non-union employees.
Members of the City Council were agreeable to the proposed 2.75% COLA increase for 2007.
Mr. Siddiqui stated that City staff has received preliminary numbers from our health insurance
providers for 2007. City staff is scheduled to meet with our health insurance broker next week to
discuss the proposed health and dental rates for 2007. At this time, the preliminary numbers are
for a 10% to 20% increase in health premiums and a 6% to 8% increase in dental rates. In 2006,
the City contributed $586.00 a month towards employee benefits. Recently, the City and
employees have evenly split the cost increase for employee benefits.
Members of the City Council requested that City staff meet with our insurance brokers and report
. back to the City Council when we have more concrete numbers regarding the proposed health
and dental rates for next year.
Mr. Siddiqui asked if City Councilmembers would be interested in including a future pay
increase for the Mayor and City Council positions in the 2007 budget.
Councilmember Grant said that he would be an advocate for a pay increase.
Councilmember Larson said that he was comfortable with the existing salary.
Mayor Aplikowski said that it may be a good idea for the City Council to explore the possibility
of adjusting the pay rates for elected officials.
City staff will begin compiling information for the City Council to review regarding the pay rates
of City Council members in other communities.
Councilmember Holden requested that the City budget $10,000 ammally for Northwest Youth
and Family Services (NWYFS).
Assistant City Administrator Schawn Johnson said that charitable gambling revenues currently
cover the City's annual contribution to NWYFS.
e Councilmember Grant said that a problem could arise for the City if charitable gambling
revenues would decline and they would not be able to cover the City's contribution.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JULY 17,2006 7
e City staff will review the current gambling agreement with St. Mary's regarding the annual
contribution to NWYFS.
Changes to the City Couneil Agenda-
City Administrator Michelle Wolfe provided the City Council with the following options to
consider regarding information requests in the City Council agenda:
. Direct staff to revise the City Council agendas to include an item "Council Comments
and Requests".
. Direct staffto make no changes to the City Council agenda format.
. Direct staffto revise the City Council Agendas to include an item "Council Reports".
Members of the City Council agreed that the format of the City Council agendas should be
changed to include a "Council Comments and Requests" item.
Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Work Session meeting at 8:35 p.m.
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. Beverly lik ski Michelle A. Wolfe
Mayor City Administrator
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