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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 10-11-2005 ~ . "^~ILLS Approved: November 14, 2005 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2005, 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 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 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Beverly Aplikowski, Couneilmembers David Grant, Gregg Larson, Lois Rem (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), and Brenda Holden. Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Director of Operations & . Maintenance, Thomas Moore; Finance Director/Treasurer, Murtuza Siddiqui; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. 1. APPRO V AL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4.0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 26, 2005 City Council Minutes B. September 26,2005 City Council Work Session Minutes C. September 19,2005 City Council Work Session Minutes D. September 12, 2005 City COlilleil Work Session Minutes E. September] 2, 2005 City Council Minutes Councilmember Rem an'ived at 7:04 p.m. Councilmember Holden requested the following changes: September 26 Regular Council meeting, Page 5, add to the section were Mayor Aplikowski commented about the Rice Creek Corridor, the following: Celebrated the transfer of additional property from the Federal . Government to Ramsey County for continuation of the Rice Creek Corridor. September 12 Regular Council meeting, Page 6, 6th paragraph, after corporate user add had to review the PUD agam. I \Metro. inet. uslardenhillslAdmin ICoWlcil\MinuteslRegularl200Sll 0-11-05 Approved. doc ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER II, 2005 2 . Councilmember Grant requested the following changes: None Councilmember Rem requested the following changes: None Councilmember Larson requested the following changes: None Mayor Aplikowski requested the following changes: None Ms. Wolfe requested the following changes: None MOTION; Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the September 26, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes as amended, the September 26, 2005 Council Work Session Minutes as presented, the September 19, 2005 City Council Work Session Minutes as amended, September 12, 2005 City Council Work Session Minutes as presented, and September 12, 2005 City Council Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. CONSENT CALENDAR . a. Claims and Payroll b. Resolution No. 05.58: Approve City Administrator's Performance Evaluation and step increase. c. 2005 Red Fox-Grey Fox PMP Project Partial Payment #3 to Amt Construction. d. Resolution No. 05.59: Authorizing Application for Recycling Score Grant Funds for 2006. e. Resolution No. 05-60: Canceling the October 31 st City Council Meeting MOTION: COlillcilmember 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. PUBLIC INOUlRIES/INFORMATIONAL Lynn Ness, with MnDOT, addressed the Council regarding the upcoming replacement of the radio tower at the southeast comer ofl.35W and 1-694. He stated that as part of the growth of the system, as well as the additional needs created by the 800 MHz project, the tower had been evaluated and its replacement was recommended. Councilmember Grant stated it appeared this new tower would be more prone to high winds because there were no guide wires. Mr. Ness replied these newer towers were stronger than the . older towers and were not more prone to high winds. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2005 3 . Councilmember Grant asked if the tower would be designed for weight bearing for ice also. !VIr. Ness stated every tower now was designed to exceed the current wind load and icing standard. Councilmember Grant asked if there would be any cell phone antennas on the tower. !VIr. Ness responded there were some levels that were designed to accommodate a cell phone antenna, but at this time, they have not been approached by any cell phone vendors. He noted they would entertain an option like this however. Councilmember Larson asked if the footprint would be in the same location as the current tower. !VIr. Ness replied the new tower would be approximately 50 feet east of the existing tower. He indicated it was the plan to work on migrating all of the antennas off the old stmcture and he estimated they would have the other tower out of the area in approximately June, 2006, Councilmember Larson asked how they knew the proposed location of the tower would not interfere with the future freeway design. !VIr. Ness responded in all of the designs MnDOT had put forth currently, the closest the freeway would get to the tower and building was 80 feet. He acknowledged this could change, but he had been informed by MnDOT that this was acceptable place for the tower. He stated the new tower would be completed within the next two months. . Councilmember Larson asked if the tower could be moved more to the east and south. Mr. Ness responded they already had plans for that area. Councilmember Larson asked why they could not use some of the existing towers already in the City. !VIr. Ness replied there were issues with location and ifthey got too far east they would have problems and if went any higher, they could create interference with their own system. He stated they did not want to go any higher than they were now, Councilmember Larson asked if they could mount their equipment lower on another tower. !VIr. Ness replied to go back and set up long-term costs right now, did not come across from their point as fiscally pmdent. He noted they also did not want to be at the mercy of another carrier and this was not a responsible move when it pertained to public safety. Councilmember Grant noted the Mounds View High School was short on parking. He asked if there was any possibility of taking their excess property and having a short.term lease with the school for their overflow parking. !VIr. Ness responded he was not sure he was the appropriate person to answer this, but he would take this into consideration. He noted however, in the past there were concerns with students crossing the road, but he believed this could be addressed with cross.walks, or some other type of traffic control. . Councilmember Grant noted on the current tower there were a number of lights. He asked how the lighting would be accommodated on this tower. !VIr. Ness responded the existing tower had four levels of lights, but now that they were going less in height, all they would need was one light ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2005 4 . at the top of the tower, along with the structure lights being on at night and those structure lights would be on all three sides. He stated there were actually less lights on this new tower. Mayor Aplikowski requested they consider adding additional landscaping to their site also. Councilmember Grant stated if this was a County structure, the County was not subject to the Planning Commission and Council approval. He asked if this held true of MnDOT also. Ms. Wolfe responded that was correct. Councilmember Grant asked if they were going to present this to the Planning Commission. Mr. Ness responded if Council wanted to bring this to the Planning Commission he would do that. Councilmember Larson asked if the tower would be painted. Mr. Ness responded it would not be painted and the tower was constructed of galvanized steel. Council decided Mr. Ness did not need to appear before the Planning Commission and staff would prepare a report to the Commission regarding this tower. . Dan Flagherty, Flaherty's Arden Bowl, inquired about the gateway sign project He noted they had some storm damage and one of their pine trees on Connelly and County Road E was leaning. He stated the entire front area of that intersection was built on a parking lot, so there was not a lot of good soil there to plant trees. He asked if there was any possibility of getting some kind of a gateway sign on their property welcoming people to Arden Hills. He believed this would make the area more attractive and pleasant. He also asked what the procedures were for him to get a flag pole on his property. Mayor Aplikowski stated Council could take a look at his request for a monument sign. She stated to the best of her knowledge, they did not have an ordinance for flag poles, so she did not believe there would be any problem with him putting in a flag pole. Ms. Wolfe stated a stall member would need to look at any lighting of the flag pole and she requested Mr. F]agherty contact staff regarding this. 5, PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorize Contract with S&S Tree Service for the Removal of Tree Debris from the . September 21st Storm Mr. Moore stated as of October 5,2005 the City has incurred a total cleanup cost of $91,902.50 plus tax. This cost is only related to services provided by S & S Tree Service. He indicated it is ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11,2005 5 . estimated that 50% of the debris has been removed. Based on incurred costs, it can be estimated that there will be a need for an additional $90,000.00 plus tax to complete the removal of thc remaining debris in the City. In addition, the City will have to share in the costs with the cities of New Brighton and Mounds View for the tub grinder at the New Brighton drop-off site. At this time that cost is unknown. Staff is conservatively estimating the cost to be in excess of $200,000. Staff will continue to provide the City Council with up-to-datc financial information as it becomes available. He indicated the City's 2005 budget does not have adequate resources to fll11d the cleanup program. The source of funding for this program would have to be the General Fund reserves. At the beginning of this year the General Fund reserves had a fund balance of $1.3 million dollars. One of the purposes of having a fund balance is to address unplanned contingencies. The September 21, 2005 storm was an unplanned event and the use of General Fund reserves would be considered appropriate for the cleanup program. He recommended the City Council authorize staff to continue with the storm debris cleanup program and to approve spending up to $200,000.00 with S & S Tree Service for the complction of the cleanup program. . Couucilmember Graut asked if they had any idea how much a grinder would cost on an hourly basis. Mr. Moore responded at this time staff has no information with respect to the cost per hour for the unit, nor how long it would take, but they were trying to get that information and as soon as they got it, they would inform Council. Council member Grant noted the City of Shoreview might be able to provide some guidance considering they had gone through a similar situation in 1999. Councilmember Grant asked if S&S Tree Service would be the grinding service, or would each community grind their own. Ms. Wolfe responded the City of New Brighton was going to procure the tub grinder for all three cities. She stated she has left a call for them asking for this information. Councilmember Holden asked if this would require a budget amendment. Mr. Siddiqui responded that was correct. Councilmember Holden asked how did they came up with the estimate. Mr. Siddiqui stated this was based on staffs best estimate as to what has been accomplished so far and what still needed to be done. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to . authorize staff to continue with the storm debris cleanup program, to approve spending up to $200,000.00 with S & S Tree Service for the completion of the cleanup program, and to amend the 2005 General Fund budget accordingly. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ----.---- ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2005 6 . 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. TCAAP Update Ms. Wolfe stated amended instructions were sent to the two appraisers instructing each ofthem to appraise the excess property two ways, including wildlife corridor and proposed athletic field complex, and also appraising it not including those two areas. She stated they have set forth a proposed timeline for the appraisals on the City's side and she is waiting to hear back from the GSA as to their proposal for a timeline. She stated the City had proposed a month's time to complete this. She noted there has been a meeting scheduled at the end of November to discuss the Response Action Agreement. She stated they anticipated a discussion in the near future as to whether they should start moving forward with an interim agreement with the development team. Councilmember Holden asked if both appraisers would assume an access to the north and how would that play into the appraisal process. Ms. Wolfe stated it was discussed at great length, so she believes both appraisers are aware that currently there is no access from the north, and how they incorporate this into their appraisals, would depend on them. She noted this would be subject to negotiation if they were substantially different. . Mayor Aplikowski stated she had received some comments from residents as to why the Council had "dropped the ball a little bit on tbis". She asked if they should start introducing more discussions on this. Councilmember Larson stated he agreed they had lost some momentum and he did not see any good argument for not trying to move forward on some discussions now. He stated if development density was going to be an issue, they should discuss this. Mayor Aplikowski requested staff try to schedule a work session meeting for this type of a discussion between now and the first part of next year. Ms. Wolfe stated part of the discussion was on the work session agenda next week. Councilmember Rem stated they could get the public more informed as to where things are, what stagc they were at, as well as what came next. She suggested a couple of paragraphs in the City's newsletter as an update. Councilmembcr Grant stated they needed to set the expectations and remind people that they were dealing with governmental agencies at the Federal level, which are not known to move very quickly. He stated at this juncture, they not need to discuss densities, but rathcr focus on some of the basics, such as the appraisal process and coming to temlS with some of the larger items (i.e. pricc, access to Primer Tracer, how the Primer Tracer would be used, how things would be turned over to the City, etc.). . Councilmember Larson agreed they needed to make more progress on either turning around thc Primer Tracer area or getting access. - -- ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2005 7 . CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Ms. Wolfe - None. CounciImember Holden - Asked when the engineering posting closes and when there would be an engineer on staff. Ms. Wolfe stated she could not remember when it was going to close, but it was a quicker timeline than she anticipated. She stated they hopcd to have someone on staff by the first of the year or earlier. CounciImember Grant - Acknowledged the efforts of staff for their work on the neighborhood mcctings. He stated the Planning Commission had not met this month. He stated the I.35W Solutions Task Force has been inactive for awhile. CounciImember Rem - Stated she would be unable to attend meetings on the 17th and 24th. Shc reminded residents that October 29, is when the Northwest Family Services was doing their Fall Gala Fundraiser. CounciImember Larson - The PTRC met last week. He stated they had spent time discussing trail priorities and also discussed the role the PTRC should have in the budget formulation . process. He stated the sentiment was that the PTRC was perhaps unique in the scnse that it is an advisory committee that really does have some advisory responsibility with respect to capital improvemcnts and other things in the parks and they felt that should be some role for them to play in the budget process each year, which hc agrecd with. He stated it might be a good idea to send the PTRC their budget and get some feedback on it. He indicated he was not sure there were any othcr committees or advisory groups that had this type ofresponsibility and he believed the PTRC was somewhat unique in this situation. He suggested thcy discuss this at a work session meeting. . ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2005 8 . He stated they had also discussed finding a better source of revenue for the parks in Arden Hills outside ofthe park dedication fees. Mayor Aplikowski - Thanked staff for the neighborhood meetings, She noted there was one meeting more coming up tomorrow night, which will be preceded by a tour of TCAAP. She noted the 5: 15 p,m, bus tour still had 8 spaces left. She stated they made a recent presentation to the St. Paul Chamber, which had met at the Arden Hills City Hall. She stated she has been asked by various citizens of Arden Hills about setting up a foundation, She noted they had a previous meeting regarding this and asked this be put back on a future work session discussion, She stated she had requested staff put together a Committee Summit, including the task force members also, on November 9 at the City Hall. She presented an update on the Library Task Force recent meetings. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting meeting at 8:17 p,m, ~~. (0~f~ Michelle Wolfe Mayor City Administrator . NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Council Meeting will be held Monday, November 14, 2005 at 7:00 p,m, at the Arden Hills Council Chambers. .