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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 05-17-2004 ~ . ~~HILLS Approved: June 14, 2004 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, MAY 17, 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 5:05 p.m. Present: Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rem. Staff present: Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director, Murtuza Siddiqui; Operations & Maintenance Director, Thomas J. Moore; and Parks & Recreation Supervisor, Michelle Olson. 2.A. 2003 Audit Presentation Steve McDonald, audit partner at Abdo, Eick, & Meyers presented the City's 2003 Audited Financial Statements and management letter. Mr. McDonald provided an overview of the City's financial situation, including fund balances. He stated that the City is required to implement . GASB 34 by the end of2004. He further indicated that he will meet with the City's finance staff in July to outline the steps that will be needed to implement GASB 34. A question was asked by a Councilmember if the auditors had seen any significant changes over the past few years. Mr. McDonald stated that there has been a drop in the fund balances in surface management and sewer funds. He suggested that a rate study be conducted. Mr. Siddiqui acknowledged the need for the study and indicated that it is planned for in 2004. 2.B. National Guard Presentation Major Scott St. Sauver of the AHATS group made a presentation to the Council. This presentation was a follow-up to a previous discussion/presentation that was made in March, 2004. Major St. Sauver provided an overview of the classification which was published in October 2003. He mentioned that there are four basic classification categories: Maneuver Land, Basic Weapons Ranges, Billeting, and Support Facilities. Major St. Sauver also talked about the local training center. He indicated they have a property development plan which is subject to a public review process after senior leadership has an opportunity to review it. Major St. Sauver also provided an overview of the AHATS noise data. He discussed the peak sound level and the risk of complaints. He stated that the training site may see about 50 helicopter flights per year. There is a proposal for two landing zones - the Gravel Pit and Top of Kame. He mentioned that currently no helicopters are flying in and out of the area. Major St. . Sauver mentioned that the use of the facilities is changing and will continue to change compared to the past ten years due to the war. \ \Earth\Admin\Council\Minutes\ W orksession\2004\05-1 7 -04.doc ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 17, 2004 2 . Major St. Sauver also talked about the wildlife corridor. He mentioned that it encompasses about 400 meters along the northwest fence line. He indicated that no specific species are targeted, but the intention is to accommodate reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and deer. Major St. Sauver provided the specifications of the fence line and informed that the fence will be six feet high without the anti-climb protection. There will be four openings for smaller animals. A question was raised by a Councilmember as to why there was a need for a barbed wire fence. Major St. Sauver responded that it is a proper way to go. It's an indication to keep people away. He mentioned that they will revisit the requirements in the future if a residential development occurs on TCAAP. He said he is willing to work with the developer if a different type of fence will work better and perhaps meet the needs of both parties. 2.C. Assessment Policv Task Force Recommendation Chuck Stoddard, Assessment Policy Task Force Chair, and Murtuza Siddiqui provided the overview of the revised policy. Mr. Stoddard talked about the process and briefly outlined the various assessment methods the task force examined. Mr. Stoddard mentioned that the task force found the unit method to be most equitable, fair and easiest to implement. He mentioned that residential properties will continue to be assessed at fifty percent of the cost. A Councilmember asked that language with regards to non-profits be clarified. Mr. Stoddard recommended that the revised Assessment Policy, as prepared by the task force, be accepted by the Council. . 2.n. URS Performance Evaluation Greg Brown, City Engineer (URS employee) provided an overview of the engineering services by URS to the City. He highlighted a number of projects his firm had been involved with in 2003. Mr. Brown mentioned that his firm has been providing engineering services to the City since 1997. Mr. Brown also talked about compensation methodology. He stated that their monthly retainer fees are $2,180 and have remained unchanged since 1997. He mentioned that they also provide miscellaneous engineering services based on an hourly rate. Examples of these engineering services are the Perry Park improvements, Cummings Park Drive improvements, sanitary sewer system, etc. Mr. Brown said that compensation for larger projects is based on the construction value ofthe projects. A Councihnember asked a question with regards to having an in-house engineer and that position's relationship with the consultant. Mr. Brown responded that most municipalities have an in-house engineer(s) and that position works closely with an outside consultant on various projects. Mr. Brown thanked the Council for allowing him and his firm the opportunity to serve the City. 2.E. County Road E Pedestrian Imurovement Studv Tom Moore, Director of Operations and Maintenance, provided an overview of the project. He . mentioned that staff had held two neighborhood meetings to discuss the pedestrian improvements on the south side of County Road E, from Lindey's Park to Connelly Avenue. He ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 17, 2004 3 . also mentioned that the proposed improvements include a sidewalk system. Mr. Moore mentioned that a total of 250 households had received meeting notices for each meeting. He indicated that a total of 29 residents attended the two meetings. In addition, a number of Council and PTRC members also attended the meetings. Mr. Moore mentioned that four residents who are opposed to this project expressed safety concerns with entering and exiting their driveways, loss of landscape, and increased pedestrian traffic. The remaining 25 residents who attended the meetings showed support for the proposed improvement. Mr. Moore requested the Council provided direction. There was a general consensus to move forward with the improvements, however staff was asked to come back with options with regards to the layout ofthe sidewalk, such as sidewalk next to street or boulevard or no boulevard. 2.F. Old 10 Rail Bridl!:e Pedestrian Imnrovement Studv The consulting engineer (URS) had not yet received and reviewed all the necessary information. The report will be reviewed at a later date. 2.G. Celebrate Arden Hills Michelle Olson, Park and Recreation Supervisor, provided an overview of the upcoming event. She brought up the issue of providing free dinner tickets to volunteers and staff who worked at the event. There was a general consensus to provide a free ticket to every staff member who has . worked a complete shift at the event. Volunteers would not be eligible for free tickets. Councilmembers were asked to promote the event and also help sell the dinner tickets. 2.H. Law Enforcement Service Expectations Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator, stated that during the recent review of the contract, it was emphasized that communication between the City and the Sheriffs Department needed to be improved and on-going. There was emphasis placed on increased visibility of the Sheriffs within the City. The Sheriffs Department has also been requested to increase graffiti patrol and to initiate immediate clean-up, in addition to its role in addressing Human Rights and diversity issues. A Councilmember emphasized that the Sheriffs needed to spend more time patrolling the streets. The Sheriffs Department will be invited to a future work session to discuss these and other topics. 3. Council Reports Councilmember Holden: It was mentioned that Presbyterian Homes is having a close proximity meeting which is intended for the neighborhood. Councilmember Larson - stated the Fire Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May . 19th. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 17, 2004 4 . Councilmember Rem - stated that Mounds View High School has a new sports field that will be used for multiple purposes. She also mentioned that the Diversity Task Force will meet on Tuesday. Councilmember Grant - stated that the cities of Shoreview and New Brighton have established a 501(C3) foundation that will enable them to conduct fundraising. He suggested that Arden Hills look into establishing a task force to look into this matter and to establish a 501 (C3) foundation. He also requested staff to look at the dead trees in the City and to address those under warranty. Mayor Aplikowski - No comment. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Murtuza Siddiqui - Finance Director , ->", .:; \)~, "~" , / ~~1~~' : 'I _I " Ji,' '/ ~-,)., , .' Ii,,' /} / Bever A lkowski, MAYOR l ''l' I , "1: ~ I,' "V' / I' :'J L- ./ v l-~ _ {,,' i.....,. '-(., "\.,.~,,,~j ',.m__,. Michelle Wolfe; ADMINISTRATOR , , . .