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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 10-17-2005 " ~ - /]'\~ HILLS llpproved:~overnber14,2005 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA eITY COUNeIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, oeTOBER 17, 2005, 5:00 P.M. eITY HALL eOUNeIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 eall To Order Mayor Aplikowski called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Aplikowski, Councilmembers: Gregg Larson, David Grant, and Brenda Holden, llbsent: Lois Rem Staff present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director, Murtuza Siddiqui; Assistant to the City Administrator, Schawn Johnson; Operations and Maintenance Director, Tom Moore Ramsey eounty Emerl!ency Manal!ement . Ms. Krysta Reuter (Ramsey County Emergency Management Coordinator) gave a brief prcscntation to the City Council on the proposed county-wide emergency operations plan and hazard mitigation plan. The proposed Ramsey County Emergency Operations Plan would cover the sixteen local government agencics and create a unified emergency response management program amongst the different local government entities. Each community would be required to create an emergency response procedures plan that is specific to each local govermnent agency. The intention for implementing a county-wide EOP is to improve communications and cohesiveness between the governing cities in Ramsey County during times of great need. The following is a list of the communities that have already approved the Ramsey COlmty Emergency Operations Plan: . Gem Lake . Mounds View . North Oaks . North St. Paul . Ramsey County . Roseville . Shoreview . White Bear Lake The Ramsey County Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will . maintain and revise the Emergency Operations Plan on an annual basis. They will act as a bridge between the Cities and Ramsey County. In case of an emergency, the County is willing to advise and assist the City during any natural, technological, or man-made disaster. , ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 2 . Mayor Aplikowski asked if the Ramsey County Emergency Operations Plan just covers stonns or other natural disasters. Ms. Reuter said that the Emergency Operations Plan covers all natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other potential threats to the City. COLmcilmember Grant asked if the Ramsey County Emergency Management Department was affiliated with the Sheriffs Department. Ms. Reuter noted that the Ramsey County Emergency Management Department is a separate entity under the direction of the County Manager. Although, the two departments do work together during emergency events. Mayor Aplikowski asked if the County offered emergency management drills for local govemments. Ms. Krysta Reuter noted that Cites can participate in the county-wide emergency disaster drills or the County would be glad to assist with creating its own emergency drills for each individual community. . Councilmember Holden asked if the City of Arden Hills would be required by adopting this plan to assist other communities within Ramsey County if a disaster occurred. Mr. Bill Hughes said that the City controls its own resources. The City may be asked to participate in the efforts, but they are not required. Counci1member Larson noted that different forms of communication were not addressed very well in the proposed Emergency Operations Plan. He expressed concern that a number of residents did not have access to phone service, TV's, or e-mails for a number of days after the September 21 st storm. Is there anyway to address these types of situations? Mr. Bill Hughes said that the County values the City Council's input, but each situation is unique and it would be difficult to address each situation in the EOP. In some instances, it may be necessary for staff members or volunteers to go door-to-door. The communication issue should be addressed in the City's internal emergency management procedures. Councilmember Larson said that the proposed Emergency Operations Plan had the City Administrator as the lead person for the City in case of an emergency. He was wondering if the Mayor should be considered the lead person for the City. Councilmember Grant said that it may make sense for the City to have the Mayor as the lead . person during an emergency. 2 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 3 . Ms. Reuter noted that most cities have the Mayor as the spokes person for the City. The City Administrator or Manager typically handles the administrative work behind the scenes. City Council requested that the Ramsey County Emergency Operations Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan be placed on the agenda of an up-coming City Council meeting for further discussion. Animal eontrol Issues Rick Ruzicka, City of Arden Hills Animal Control Officer, was in attendance to address any questions or concerns that the City Council may have regarding animal control issues. Mr. Ruzicka (Owner of Animal Control Services, Inc.) was asked to provide an" overview of his company's services and the procedures he uses for handling stray or wild animals. Mr. Ruzicka provided the City Council with a list breaking down the number of animals that have been impounded, disposed of, and the number of violations written over the past five years. Councilmember Holden asked about the callout fees for the City. She recently had a stray cat in her neighborhood and Animal Control Services, Inc. was called out on three different occasions. Was the City charged for three different call outs? . Mr. Ruzicka said that the City would only be charged for one callout. Councilmember Larson asked for clarification regarding what hours are considered a special callout. The following hours are specified as special callout times in the contract between the City and Animal Control Services Inc. (ACSI): . 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. $53.50 . 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. $67.00 . 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. $73.00 . Saturday and Sunday (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) $67.00 . Saturday and Sunday (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) $73.00 . Holidays (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 567.00 . Holidays (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) $73.00 Members of the City Council asked Mr. Ruzicka if there are any policies or procedures that the City Council should consider in the future regarding animal control. Mr. Ruzicka recommended that the City consider adopting a leash law for cats. Councilmember Grant asked if ACSI is allowed to write citations for the City. . City Administrator Michelle Wolfe stated that State Statute and City Code allows for Animal Control Services to write city citations for animal related violations. 3 - -------- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 4 . Councilmember Grant asked why the City was charged $853.00 recently for animal control servIces. Mr. Ruzikca noted that the expense was caused by the increased numbers of stray cats that have been picked up recently in the City. All animals must be held for a minimum of six days in a shelter. Councilmember Holden asked if Animal Control Services, Inc. dealt with wildlife problems. Rick Ruzicka said that he considers wild animal issues a home owner problem. If the animal bites an individual, then it would become an animal control issue. Members of the City Council agreed to review a leash law for cats and a no feeding of the wildlife ordinance in the near future. Financial Concepts Discussion Regardinl! Emplovee Insurance Benefits Ms. Shari Woodarck (Financial Concepts, Inc.) was in attendance to review to the City's current and proposed employee insurance benefit packages with the City Council. In May, City staff requested the assistance of Financial Concepts in reviewing the City's current short term . disability, long term disability, group life insurance, and supplemental life insurance policies. After completing there review of our existing policies, Financial Concepts and City staff noticed that the City had overlapping short term disability and long term disability insurance policies. Thc City's current short term disability policy is a weekly benefit of $200.00 per week for a period of 26 weeks. The City's long term disability policy is a benefit that pays 60% of a disabled employee's salary. The long term disability insurance would be enacted after three months. Financial Concepts and City staff have been reviewing different short term disability plan options that are available to the City in order to eliminate this overlap in disability coverage. The intent of this change is to review potential ways in which the City could possibly maintain or reduce premium costs. Financial Concepts, Inc. has been working closely with our current short term and long term disability policy holder and was able to obtain a price quote for a 13 week short term disability benefit with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,000. The projected cost for this increased benefit would be $147.00 per month ($1,764.00 annually). At this time, the City currently pays $220.50 per month ($2646.00 annual fee) for a 26 week short term disability insurance benefit. Through the elimination of the overlap in the short ternl and long teml disability policies, the City will be able to save approximately $882.00 per year in premium costs and increase the value ofthe short term disability benefit to staff members. Representatives from Financial Concepts, Inc. and City staff members have also been reviewing the renewal rates for the City's employee health insurance through the Lakes Country Service Cooperative. According to the 2006 rate proposals, the City would experience a 20% increase in premiums for 2006 if we continued with our current health insurance plan. hl order to offset the . 20% rate increase, City staff is considering a change to a less inexpensive plan. The recommended plan would result in a maximum out of pocket expense of $1,000 per person and $2,000 per family. The primary difference between the City's existing plan and the proposed 4 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 5 . plan is that employees would be responsible for 20% (not to exceed the out of pocket maximums) of the costs associated with inpatient or outpatient services. The rccommended change in policy would result in a 10% increase in health care premiums for the City in 2006. The projected changes to the employee benefit package could be implemented immediately for non-union employees, but would require a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Local 4gers in order for the changes to be implemented by the Operations and Maintenance Department. City Administrator Wolfe stated that staffs goal was to eliminate the overlap in coverage between the existing short term and long term disability policies, and use of the savings to increase the short term disability benefit level. Councilmember Larson agrees with the proposal that benefit levels should be increased for City staff. City Administrator Wolfe said that the City currently has a very good health care plan at this time. Unfortunately, the cost for this plan has increased by 20% from last year. In the future, the City may have to consider a cafeteria plan or health savings account plan. e Ms. Shari Woodarck noted that the City is Jimited in the number of health care plans that it can participate in due to its small number of employees in its health care pool. Councilmember Holden asked what the projected costs for short term disability insurance will be in two years. City Administrator Wolfe said that the short term disability and long term disability insurance polices are market driven. It varies on a year to year basis. CounciJmember Grant mentioned that the City Council will have to manage health care costs for the City in the future. City Administrator Wolfe said that the City could consider a health care plan with increased deductibles before the City explores the other HSA and VEBA options that are available at this time. Councilmember Larson suggested that the City Council consider increasing the life insurance benefit for staff members. Shari Woodarck statcd that the City attempted to review the insurance rates for $20,000 oflife insurance for each employee. The goal was to keep the rates similar and still increase the insurance benefit to staff. e City Council recommended that City staff bring forth the recommended changes to the employee benefits to a future City Council meeting for further consideration. 5 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 6 . Members of the City Council recessed at 7:40 PM for a brief City Council meeting to consider the approve claims and payroll related items. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the meeting at 7:44 PM Mayor Aplikowski called the work session meeting to order at 7:50 PM. Storm elean-up Update Operations and Maintenance Director Tom Moore provided the City Council with a status update on the storm clean-up. The following is a recap of the projected storm clean-up costs for the City of Arden Hills: I. Cost of the September 21, 2005 Storm Clean Up as of Wednesday, October 12,2005; Curbside Pickup. ............ ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ...... ..... ..... ...$133 ,646.85 City Property Cleanup... ...... ...... ...... ...... ..... ..................... ...$7 ,689.30 . Total Cost (with sales tax) .............................................$141.336.30 II. Estimated total cost of clean up for October 13 and 14, 2005 is 510, 500.00. III. Estimated final total costs for the fist phase of the City clean up is $151,386.15. IV. Estimated costs for the second phase of the City clean up is as follows: Curbside Pickup.. .......................................... .................. .$26,800 .00 City Property Cleanup... ....... ..... ............ ...... ...... ..... ..... .....$22,000.00 Total Cost (with sales tax) ...............................................$48.800.00 V. Estimated Final Total Costs for the First and Second Sweeps of the City is $200,186.30. . Councilmember Larson asked City staff if there was enough storm related debris to wanant a second sweep through the City. 6 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 7 . Councilmember Grant said that therc appears to be of plenty of tree debris within the City to warrant a second pass. Councilmember Holden asked if the City had any plans to utilize a third crew. Operations and Maintenance Director said if a third crew was available, City staff would have to reevaluate our existing plan to incorporate this third crew. City Administrator Wolfe said if the City was provided a MnDOT huck for storm removal, the City could use one of our trucks for a different project. Mayor Aplikowski stated that the City should use thc State and Ramsey County tmcks if they are available. City Administrator stated that the City of Shoreview estimated that a tub grinder for chipping tree debris would cost roughly $350.00 per hour. Mayor Aplikowski thanked City staff for their hard work during the storm removal process. . TeAAP Update- City Administrator Michelle Wolfe provided the City Council with an update on the appraisal process. The two appraisers will have to meet separately and discuss the differences in the GSA's and the City's appraisal numbers. Councilmember Larson said that he is not comfortable with letting the GSA control the negotiation process. The City should contact its congressional delegates regarding the status of the negotiation process. Mayor Applikowski asked if our appraisal of the TCAAP property is ready to go. City Administrator Michelle Wolfe said that the City is waiting for the GSA to say that they are ready to review the appraisal numbers. Mayor Aplikowski noted that the City Council may have to review the existing density codes and detennine if changes are necessary in the future. City Administrator Wolfe said that the appraiser is not sure if the current vision plan will fit onto the TCAAP site. Athletic Fields- . City Administrator Wolfe asked the City Council if discussions regarding the proposed athletic fields in the TCAAP site should take place in the near future. 7 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 8 . Councilmember Larson said that discussions regarding the athletic fields should be placed on hold at this time. Members of the City Council agreed that the athletic field discussion should be placed on hold at this time. Access from eountv Road 1- City Administrator Michelle Wolfe asked the City Council if they are interested in continuing discussions regarding land access to County Road I for the TCAAP site. She suggested that the City continue discussions with the National Guard regarding access to County Road 1. Councilmember Grant said that the City should consider a land swap or attempt to acquire the land easement for access to County Road 1. Mayor Aplikowski suggested that the City schedule a meeting with the National Guard to continue discussions regarding a land swap or easement acquisition for access to County Road 1. Interim Al!reement- ~ City Administrator Wolfe reported that CRR is interested in scheduling a meeting with the City to cxchange information and ideas. CRR may be interested in discussing a new interim agreement. Councilmember Larson said that the City should be working with CRR to establish a better working relationship. City Administrator Wolfe said City statlwill schedule a meeting with CRR in the near future. City Administrator Wolfe also rep0l1ed that a meeting has been scheduled for November 28th at I :00 PM to discuss the Response Action Agreement. Attorney Mike Comodeca will attend the meeting and be available afterwards to meet with the City Council. Densitv Discussion- City Administrator Wolfe asked the City Council if thcy are interested in discussing density issues regarding the TCAAP site. Mayor Aplikowski suggested that the City Council take a tour of other proposed residential development sites in the Twin Cities area. COLillcilmember Grant asked if it is worth visiting these sites if the City is not ready to make these types of decisions. He is more concerned about the general density of the TCAAP vision . plan. 8 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 9 . City Administrator Wolfe noted that the City Council could review other projects in the spring. Councilmember Larson suggested that a member of DSU meet with the City Council to discuss the density issue. City Council requested that City staff ask DSU to lead a City Council discussion on density issues sometime early next year. Council Reports eouncilmember Grant . Councilmember Grant reported that he recently received a letter from the I-35W Conidor Coalition seeking financial contributions from Arden Hills and other local communities for completing engineering studies. City Administrator Wolfe reported that the 1-35W Corridor Coalition is also recruiting representatives [Tom Blaine, Lino Lakes, and Anoka County to become members of this organization. . Councilmember Grant recommended that the City Council send a letter to the City of ~ New Brighton objecting to the 14th Street Bridge proposal. The City Council should consider taking a motion on this issue. Mayor Aplikowski stated that she has attended all of the meeting pertaining to the Northeast Quadrant and she does not recall the idea of a 14th Street Bridge being considered a viable proposal. The idea was brought up by the New Brighton City Manager, but the proposal has not been discussed any further. Mayor Aplikowski noted that the next meeting is October 19th at the New Brighton Family Center. The meeting begins at 5:30 PM and is open to the public. Councilmember Larson asked the City Administrator to contact the City of New Brighton regarding tile 14th Street bridge proposal. eouncilmember Holden . Councilmember Holden recommended that City Councilmembers and City staff begin contacting the local business owners regarding donations for the Celebrating Arden Hills event. . Councilmember Holden asked about the status of the Red Fox/Grey Fox Pavement Management Project? Tom Moore, Operations and Maintenance Director, reported that the contractor is currently installing the bituminous surface and that the project should be completed by N b 4th h . . . ovem er , weat er permlttmg. 9 -- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES October 17, 2005 10 . Councilmembcr Larson . Councilmember Larson reported that the Lake Johanna Fire Board will be meeting on October 19th at the Shoreview Community Center. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM. Mayor Aplikowski . Mayor Aplikowski reported that letters thanking the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department and the Lake Johamla Fire Department for participating in this year's neighborhood meetings have been signed and will be sent out by City staff. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM Respectfully submitted by Schawn P. Johnson . . YYl M JUJDVl Michelle A. Wolfe, CITY ADMINISTRATOR .' . 10