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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 04-19-2004 ~ . ~~HILLS Approved: May 10, 2004 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2004, 4:45 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. Call To Order Mayor Aplikowski called the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m. Present: Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rem. Staff present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Assistant City Administrator, Aaron Parrish; Operations & Maintenance Director, Thomas J. Moore; Planner, Peter Hellegers; Finance Director, Murtuza Siddiqui; and City Engineer, Greg Brow. Others present: Mark Ruff with Ehlers and Associates; Sandy Martin, Mayor of Shoreview; and Amlie Hoffmann, City Councilmember for the City of New Brighton. 2.A. Northwest Youth and Familv Services Presentation . Mayor Sandy Martin and Councilmember Annie Hoffmann provided an update and overview of the services provided by Northwest Youth and Family Services. They provided additional information on how the organization was financed both with member community contributions and other grants and private resources. After various discussions the Council indicated that funding for Northwest Youth and Family Serviccs on a going forward basis would be considered in conjunction with the 2005 budget process. 2.B. TIF Bond Refundine: Mark Ruff with Ehlers and Associates and Murtuza Siddiqui provided the Council with an update on the possibility of a bond refunding for the 1998 G.O. Tax Increment Bonds that are currently outstanding. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to get additional information on refunding including potential eligible projects/TIP expenditures, a cash flow analysis for District 2, and an analysis of paying off the debt early. 2.C. Pavement Manae:ement Five Year Proiect Schedule City Administrator Michelle Wolfe, Operations & Maintenance Director Tom Moore, and City Engineer Greg Brown provided an overview of the Pavement Management Program proposal for . the next five years along with related capital improvements. The focus and emphasis was on policies and procedures. Additional financial information will be provided at a later date. Based on Council input and discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have staff: \ \Earth \Admin \Council\Minutes\ W orksession \2004 \04-19-04.doc ----- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 19, 2004 2 . . Perform additional financial analysis of the proposed five year Pavement Management Program. . Move the Ridgewood Neighborhood to 2006 and have the Red Fox/Grey Fox commercial area done in 2001 5 . . Continue the neighborhood approach to street reconstruction. . Accelerate the lift stations proposed for 2008 to 2006, that is reconstruct three lift stations in 2005, and three in 2006, and to move the 2006 sewer line test and seal and relining to 2007 2.D. Old 10 Rail Bridl!e Operations & Maintenance Director Tom Moore and City Engineer Greg Brown updated the Council on the proposed study/evaluation of the Old Highway 10 rail bridge to enhance pedestrian movement along Old Highway 10. II was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the study/evaluation. It was also the consensus of the Council to maintain a park fund reserve of $200,000. Projects that would potentially access the reserve amount will be evaluated on a more comprehensive basis. 2.E. 2005 Budl!et Process and Council Priorities Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui and Administrator Michelle Wolfe outlined the proposed budget process for 2005. In addition to the items noted in the report requiring further evaluation, . funding for Northwest Youth and Family Services, park funding, the impact of reduced TCAAP funding, and a new copier for 2005 were also requested to be evaluated in conjunction with the 2005 budget process. It was further noted based on the discussion that current union settlements will be used as a starting point for 2005 cost of living adjustment increases. 2.F. Credit Card Transactions Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui provided an overview of how the City of Arden Hills might begin implementing and accepting credit cards for various transactions. The first phase would focus on over-the-counter transactions which could be implemented easily. Phase 2 would focus on on-line transactions particularly in the area of utility billing and recreation registrations. It was the consensus of the Council to proceed with over-the-counter credit card transactions in July and in doing so, it was noted that we should make an effort to recover costs associated with provided this service when evaluating our fee schedule. Council also directed staff to begin performing additional research to implement the on-line credit card acceptance. 2.G. Public Expenditure Policv Assistant City Administrator Aaron Parrish provided the Council an update on the proposed public expenditure policy in response to some interpretations by the Office of the State Auditor. It was the consensus of the Council to have this item considered on the April 26, 2004, Consent portion ofthe Agenda. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 19,2004 3 . 2.H. Assistant Citv Administrator Position Vacancv Administrator Michelle Wolfe provided an update to the City Council on the Assistant City Administrator vacancy. After evaluating different approaches to filling the position, she recommended that an Assistant to the City Administrator approach be taken. It was the consensus of the Council to proceed with the Assistant to the City Administrator approach and that this item will be placed on the Consent calendar for the Apri126, 2004, Council Agenda. 2.1. Retreat Follow Un The Council indicated that the Retreat Work Plan was put together well. A Communications Plan and updating the Emergency Management Plan were identified as preliminary priorities. A table top exercise for the Emergency Management Plan was also discussed. Due to the late time, it was also the consensus ofthe Council to discuss this item when additional time was available. 3.F. Council Reports Councilmember Holden: Requested that staff arrange for the Mayor and City Council to meet the Sheriff's Deputy assigned to Arden Hills and his dog, Jessie. She also asked that stafflook into the regulations regarding motorized scooters. She asked ifthere is an existing Ordinance and what, if anything can be done to regulate them since they are very noisy. . Councilmember Larson: Asked that the Mayor and City Council work towards being more efficient with the meetings to try and reduce the length of some of the longer meetings. Counci1member Grant: Requested that for the next update of phone books, that we be sure to add Animal Control and the appropriate phone number. He asked if an article regarding the "leash law" could be incorporated into the next City newsletter. Last, hc indicated a desire to conduct a financial analysis regarding the Chesapeake project. He thought perhaps there could be some incentive to accelerate the completion of that project. Councilmember Rem: Requested that staff forward a copy of the City's Human Rights Resolution and the letter from Superintendent Witthuhn to residents Charles Bright and Willie Price. Mayor Aplikowski: Noted that there will be a meeting of the Ramsey County League of Local Governments on April 29. The topic for the meeting is "Financing 101" and she encouraged those who are able, to attend. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Aaron Parrish, Assistant City Administrator . ~~&n~~ /~li~ Michelle Wo1 e, A MINIS TOR