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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 10-12-2004 ~ . ~HILLS Approved: October 25, 2004 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 12, 2004, 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 7:01 p.m. Present: Mayor Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmembers David Grant, Gregg Larson, and Brenda Holden. Absent: Councilmember Lois Rem (excused). Also present were City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; City Attorney, Jerry Filla (arrived e at 9:20 p.m.); Director of Operations & Maintenance, Thomas Moore; Finance Director/Treasurer, Murtuza Siddiqui; Community Development Director, Scott Clark; Assistant to the City Administrator, Schawn Jolmson; City Engineer, Greg Brown; City Planner, Peter Rellegers; Recreation Program Supervisor, Michelle Olson; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 20,2004 City Council Work Session B. September 27,2004 City Council Meeting Councilmember Holden requested the following changes: September 20, 2004 City Council Work Session, Page 8, third paragraph, change south side to north side. Page 8, 5th paragraph, second sentence, change south side to north side. Page 8, 9th paragraph, first sentence should read: "Engineer Brown mentioned that state funding mavbe available..." Page 9, number 3 . under Council Member Holden's Council Report should read: "Northwest Youth and Family Services has taken over the social service programs that are presently being offered by Life Span for the Mounds View School District." September 27, 2004 Regular City Council Meeting, Page I \Earth \Admin ICounci!lMinuteslRegular\20041! O-!2-04.doc ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12,2004 2 . 8, under Councilmember Holden's Council Report, second sentence should read: "She stated on Wednesday night there 1& a Precinct 2. . ." Page 8, third sentence, change District to Precinct. Councilmember Grant requested the following changes: None. Councilmember Larson requested the following changes: None. Mayor Aplikowski requested the following changes: September 20, 2004, City Council Worksession, Page 5, 7th paragraph, should read: "Mayor Aplikowski was wondering if the school district is considering redistricting." Ms. Wolfe requested the following changes: None. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the September 20, 2004 City Council Meeting Work Session Minutes as amended and the September 27,2004 Council Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 3. CONSENT CALENDAR e a. Claims and Payroll b. Final Payment - Lift Station #7 c. Payment Request #3 for 2004 PMP-Arnt Construction d. Resolution No: 04-55, Approve City Administrator's Performance Evaluation MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and COUl1cilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 4. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. County Road E - Bridge and Sidewalk Improvements Resolution No. 04-56: Requesting MN/DOT Consideration of a Cost Sharing . Cooperative Agreement for Pedestrian Improvements to County Road E Bridge Over Trunk Highway 51 ------ ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 3 . Mr. Brown stated tbe City developed a Parks and Trails Master Plan, which outlined the improvements for park and trails throughout the City. The Plan was adopted in 2002 after a resident survey was conducted and indicated that expanding the trail network was a high priority. The Plan aims to connect the Arden Hills' community through an efficient and safe trail system that will provide residents an opportunity for healthy exercise and inter-community connectedness. Currently, there are very narrow walkways on both sides of the bridge. These inadequate walkways along the County Road E bridge over TH5l are the only crossing between Lydia Avenue in Roseville and 1-694. This area is considered a weak link in the trail system and a "choke point" for pedestrian traffic. For these reasons, the Council directed staff to look into improving the pedestrian crossing and sidewalk options. The proposed plan would extend the trail system across County Road E bridge to Lindey's Park. Future trail plans include a trail that will connect Lake Johanna to Lindey's Park and another trail that will traverse north and south from Lindey's Park along Snelling Avenue and Old Highway 10. Mr. Brown indicated staff requests Council provide direction on project scope and take appropriate action on the Resolution. Mr. Brown noted in terms of the bridge, staff believed that this is a significant safety concern and major "choke point" for the City. He indicated the bridge improvement was being recommended. e Mr. Brown stated staff supported the concept of the sidewalk as a connection to an overall City trail system as outlined in the Parks and Trails Master Plan. However, recognizing the intrusiveness into existing residential yards, staff would recommend the least intrusive, yet viable option available. Most likely this would be the option with a 2-foot setback with a 6-foot sidewalk. Trail linkage and pedestrian safety were the primary reasons for supporting the sidewalk concept. Mayor Aplikowski clarified the reason for the Resolution was because they were asking for funds from the State. Mr. Brown replied that was correct. Mayor Aplikowski asked what was the difference between the Option B bridge and the Option C bridge. Mr. Brown replied the width of the sidewalk was a factor. He noted the sidewalk would go from 7 feet wide to 10 feet wide and there would also be an interior rail. He noted with option B, the roadway would need to be made narrower. Mayor Aplikowski noted the Council had already made the bridge decision, but they had not decided what type of bridge they would be putting in. Dave Webster, 3529 Snelling Avenue, stated they have lived in their neighborhood for 25 years and they had always wanted a wider sidewalk across the bridge. He noted a car on the bridge hit . his son who was on a bike a few years ago. He stated he approved of this project and it would be an improvement to the neighborhood. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12,2004 4 . Howard Kern, 1400 West County Road E, stated he was confused about the issues tonight because they were told at the neigbborhood meeting that this project could not go forward unless the bridge and sidewalk were done at the same time. He stated he had suggested at a previous meeting that a berm be placed at Freeway Park and was told it was not possible to do that because of cost, but now he noted they already had one planned. He indicated he was not against a trail system in Arden Hills or the bridge, but he had proposed at a couple of different meeting to have a connection from the overpass on the new bridge to a berm that would continue down through Freeway Park ending on Arden Place, traveling down Arden Place and connecting to Lindey's Park. He noted this would give good access to the trail system for the people who lived on County Road E and good access to the residents who lived west of Old Snelling. He asked what would happen to the snow in the wintertime on the sidewalk if they put a sidewalk in. He stated Bethel students also ran along the north side of County Road E and felt that if there were a sidewalk, the nmners would still be running in the road. Charles Roach, 1600 Oak Avenue, stated the westbound County Road E Old Snelling intersection was an accident waiting to happen, as well as the intersection with the bridge. He stated when the cars came up to the east end of County Road E to turn south on Highway 51, there was no room for pedestrians or bicyclists at that intersection and he believed it would be advantageous if there was some continuation for the pedestrians and the bicyclists. He noted be was in favor of this proposal. e Jim Crassweller, 1661 Lakeview Court, stated he was a member of the PTRC and he was in favor of this proposal. He indicated he had attended most of the meetings regarding the bridge and sidewalk. He stated he understood there was a consensus from Council at one of their Work Sessions that the Council was in agreement with the bridge and sidewalk. He stated he was surprised to learn later that there probably was not enough support among the Council for the sidewalk. He noted the PTRC recommended the entire project be considered in its entirety. He indicated the PTRC did not feel it was wise to put in a bridge without a connecting sidewalk. He stated it was a safety concern for the pedestrians as well as bicyclists if they did not put in the sidewalk. He noted the whole project was a part of the long-term plan of the City. He stated the City needed to find the funding for this project. Ms. Wolfe stated if this was considered as one project, there was a funding aspect and for the State funding of the project, the bridge portion would probably score high and would be eligible for the funding, but the sidewalk funding would not score as high and might not be eligible for State funding. Mayor Aplikowski stated Council had to decide if they wanted to put a sidewalk in at this time or sometime in the future. She noted any sidewalk that would be put in would be placed in the right-of-way. She indicated they were trying to be sensitive to the residents along County Road E. . Lee Kern, 1400 West County Road E, read a letter to the Council from residents along West County Road E. The letter was given to staff to place in the City's records. She stated the plan being proposed did not follow the stated goals of the City and noted the project leads to more ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 5 . traffic, more congestion, as well as more recreational traffic into a dangerous location. She noted they have had to replace their mailbox and to get the post in the ground with sidewalk around it would not be easy. She also noted snow would be piled up along the sidewalk during the winter which posed a hazard. Mayor Aplikowski asked if the neighborhood had spoken with other residents in the area to see if they would agree to the resident's proposal. Ms. Hass, 1420 West County Road E, stated they had spoken with the neighborhood and she believed they were in agreement with the letter Ms. Kern read. She also noted if this was a sidewalk, she understood that it could not be used by bikers, only pedestrians. She stated she was for the bridge, preferably the more expensive bridge, but recommended the Council consider the resident's proposal for a redirected sidewalk. She asked the Council to consider this project as two different projects. She asked the Council to vote for the bridge and against the sidewalk. Mayor Aplikowski stated she believed the residents that were west of this area would not be in agreement with the West County Road E resident's proposal. Mary Rains, 3521 Ridgewood Court, believed the primary responsibility of the Council was the safety issues. She stated the idea of looking at this as a path solely from park to park was not e speaking to the uses that the residents had. She stated she liked to walk and she did not need a direction in which to go, but she wanted safety. She noted walking along the road was not safe. She stated safety needed to be a primary vision of the City and recognizing that the City had walkers, riders, bikers, etc. who used the streets for other uses than park connection. She indicated she understood the residents concerns, but their concerns did not balance the residents in the City as a whole. Mayor Aplikowski asked Ms. Rains on which side of the street did she walk. Ms. Rains stated she walked against the traffic, but ifthere were a sidewalk, she would utilize the sidewalk. Leon Hass, 1420 West County Road E, stated there was not really much pedestrian traffic along County Road E and if safety was really a concern, why didn't the residents walk one block away. Ms. Rains replied she was concerned about the safety of all of the residents in the City and she did not believe they needed to justify the volume of pedestrians on County Road E. Roger William, 3450 Seims Court, stated safety was the issue and he believed it was the Council's job to ensure the residents' safety. He stated he had been on a previous city council in another city and every time there was a sidewalk being put in, there was opposition to it. He stated it was the Council's job to go with the majority of what the residents wanted. He stated if . there were a sidewalk put in, it would be used because there was a safe place for the residents to walk. He stated he was in favor of the bridge and sidewalk. He believed the sidewalk would link the residents on the west side to the shopping center. He asked the Council measure and weigh their decisions and asked them to serve the most residents. He stated only nine homes would be ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 6 . affected by a sidewalk being put in, where all of the residents in the City would be affected if a sidewalk was not put in. Bruce Kunkel, 3452 Glen Arden Road, stated he was in favor of the bridge and sidewalk. He noted when the new bridge was put in he believed more residents would use it because it was safer. He requested Council be concerned about the safety of the residents. Mayor Aplikowski stated this was not an easy decision and the City needed to plan for the future. She stated the one concern she had was the connection of the two parks. She noted the most direct route, was the route that pedestrians wanted to take. She stated they could not put in a sidewalk on the north side because there were utilities in the right-of-way which would need to be moved and this was not going to happen financially. She indicated she had taken everything into consideration. She noted whatever they decide had not been an easy alternative and they had weighed the pros and cons, but noted they could not make everyone happy. Councilmember Grant stated one of the reasons they were looking at the sidewalk on the south side was because of the terrain and cost. He noted he was not sure this was the safest decision. He stated on the south side, pedestrians would have to cross at both the clove and the diamonds on the bridge, while on the north side, they would not have to do that. He indicated it was more difficult for the residents driving on the south side to exit into the traffic. He noted if the e sidewalk were on the north side, it would be farther away from the homes than if it were on the south side. He indicated the north side seemed to get more pedestrian traffic, which he believed was because Bethel College was on that side of the road, as well as McDonalds and other businesses being on that side of the road. He expressed concern about people using the double driveways on the south side to make a "U" turn. He stated while a sidewalk on the south side might be financially cheaper, he was not convinced it was the safest. He stated there were redeeming qualities having the sidewalk on the north side. He indicated this was not the only place in the City that was not safe. He believed they should discuss this more and he was also concerned that Councilmember Rem was not in attendance tonight for her opinion. He asked the Engineer if they needed to specify which side the sidewalk would be put on. Mr. Brown replied the application did ask this, but he was not sure if it would make much of a difference if the sidewalk was on the north or south side, but the Council would want to request funding for the most expensive proposal, which he believed would be a sidewalk on the north side. He stated he would check with the State if this would make a difference. Councilmember Holden stated each time they discussed the bridge and sidewalk, something changed, including tonight with the grant information being presented. She stated when she first started discussing this, she wanted the sidewalk for the bikers, but since that time, she had spoken with bikers who used County Road E, who indicated they would not use a sidewalk because of the curb cuts. She stated she had also contacted Mounds View High School and was informed that Mounds View High School Cross Country runners would not use the sidewalk . either because ofthe curb cuts. She noted the bikers she had spoken to indicate their greatest fear was residents backing up into them and not riding in the street with traffic. She asked if people were going to take the most direct route, should the City put in sidewalks/trails everywhere. She indicated instead of a community fight, this has turned into a neighborhood fight. She stated -- ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 7 . most of the residents outside of this specific area would not use the sidewalk. She expressed concern about a lack of communication with the neighborboods. She noted the City might not get the grant and they had to take this into consideration. She stated she was not in favor of any sidewalk until they dealt with the intersection east of the bridge. She noted she was not comfortable voting for a sidewalk and invited residents to walk along the sidewalk when that intersection was so unsafe. She stated she was in favor of the bridge, but not the sidewalk until they addressed that intersection. Councilmember Larson stated he supported this and there were good reasons to support it including the pedestrians and public safety. He stated a primary duty of the Council was to protect the residents' safety. He stated they had a park plan approved by the PTRC and Council, and the top priority of the residents was they wanted trails which were rated highest. He stated he believed people wanted to have options for moving around the City and not always having to be in an automobile. He noted they had no connection between the east and west side of the City and this was the one place where they had the one opportunity to make an east/west connection. He stated this was on the public right-of-way and they were not taking anyone's property. He noted there was nothing they were doing that was different than what any other city would do. He indicated this was not unusual and it was something most cities did. He asked if they did not put in a sidewalk here, where would they put one in. He stated he was a biker and he probably would not use the sidewalk, but that did not mean there aren't other people, including children, e who would want to be up on the sidewalk. He did not believe bikers not using the sidewalk should be an influence as to whether they should put in a sidewalk or not. He noted there would be an increase of traffic on County Road E and he believed there would also be an increase in pedestrian traffic and they needed to ensure their safety. He stated the benefits of having a sidewalk was a better alternative than leaving them in the street. He stated the City's goal was to put in trails that would keep people off the streets. He stated they needed to provide some off- road alternatives for the residents. With respect to a north side sidewalk, he believed the grade was such that if a sidewalk was put in, retaining walls would also be needed and it would not connect the park. There are also utilities in the right-of-way and a very short driveway at 3609 County Road E. If a car should be parked in that driveway, it would block the sidewalk. He stated the Council could not base their decision on resident destinations, but the Council knew the residents crossed the bridge to use the businesses on the other side. He asked what they would gain by delaying this decision. He noted traffic would only get worse on County Road E and he did not know what they would learn later that they did not already know. He noted just because some homeowners opposed the sidewalk did not mean the Council should ignore the remainder of the neighborhood. He stated they had tried as a Council to be sensitive to the homeowners and they had come up with a compromise that would address the residents concerns that included a sidewalk up to the road and a narrower sidewalk than originally proposed. He stated the Council has a history on how they proceeded on this and every step of the way they were in support of this and the only new ingredient now was the opposition of some of the homeowners. He believed it was time for the Council to show some vision and some leadership. . He stated it was important to him to represent the entire City, and for that reason he was going to support this because he wanted to protect the public safety of all of the residents. He also expressed concern if they did not go forward with this project, it would be more difficult in the future to put in trails and sidewalks into other neighborhoods throughout the City. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 8 . Mayor Aplikowski read the Resolution the Council was considering. Councilmember Larson stated it made sense to vote on the larger issue first and if they could not agree to go forward with a bridge and a sidewalk, tben they needed to make a decision to go forward with the bridge itself. Mayor Aplikowski stated they were already in agreement with the bridge, but they needed to decide which bridge option they wanted. She stated she did not believe a sidewalk on the north side was financially feasible for the City, even if most of the pedestrians now walked on the north side. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Grant authorized Resolution 04-56: Requesting MN/DOT Consideration of a Cost Sharing Cooperative Agreement for Pedestrian Improvements to County Road E Bridge Over Trunk Highway 51 and insert Bridge Option I into the Resolution. Councilmember Larson noted he bad a difficult time voting on this before they knew if the sidewalk was going to be approved. He suggested they deal with the sidewalk issue first and e then take up the bridge issue. However, if the sidewalk failed, he hoped a future Council would have the vision and courage to address this in the future. Mayor Aplikowski stated she heard Councilmember Holden say she would not support a sidewalk until the intersection on the east side of the bridge was taken care of. She stated she heard Councilmember Grant say he was in favor of the sidewalk on the north side, but wanted further discussion regarding this proposal and also wanted Councilmember Rem's opinion. Councilmember Larson stated he would not vote in favor of this. He stated he did support the bridge, but if the sidewalk would not be put in at the same time, he could not support the bridge proj ect. Councilmember Holden called the question. The motion carried (3-1) (Nay - Councilmember Larson) MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Mayor Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve a six-foot sidewalk connection from the bridge to Old Snelling on the south side of the street with a two-foot colored/stamped stripped. Councilmember Grant stated he had brought up his comments regarding the sidewalk on the . north side for discussion purposes. Mayor Aplikowski stated she did not want the sidewalk on the north side due to the financial expense. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 9 . Mr. Brown stated there would be a significant grading issue, as well as a utility relocation issue on the north side. He indicated they could try to get the utilities moved for free, but it was rare a utility company would be willing to move their utilities for a sidewalk or trail at no cost. He stated there would also be a significant expense for retaining walls if the sidewalk were located on the north side. Councilmember Larson stated he had addressed the issues of a sidewalk on the north side, including utilities, grading, and the sidewalk not connecting to the parks, as well as one resident's garage sitting close to the curb and cars parked in front of that garage would block the sidewalk. Councilmember Holden stated she did not understand Councilmember Larson's concerns regarding the garage being too close to the sidewalk on the north side. Councilmemher Larson clarified that that resident would not be able to park in front of their driveway because a car would block the sidewalk. Councilmember Grant noted while there would be an increase in money needed if a sidewalk was put on the north side, he believed a sidewalk on the north side would be used more. The motion failed (2-2) (Nay - Councilmembers Grant and Holden) e Mayor Aplikowski suggested they take a break from the discussion and requested this be revisited. She asked when the Engineer needed an answer. Mr. Brown replied he would check with the State, but he suggested they go with the higher figure for a sidewalk, which would be on the north side and if necessary, they could reduce it in the future if the sidewalk went on the south side. Mayor Aplikowski asked the Council if they were in favor of a sidewalk, whether it be on the north or the south side. Councilmember Holden stated she wanted an answer on the intersection before agreeing to a sidewalk, but ifthe intersection were addressed, she would be in favor of a sidewalk. Mayor Aplikowski noted Council was in favor of a sidewalk, whether it be located on the north or south side of the street. She stated at least the bridge was underway and there would be a sidewalk put in with the location to be determined at a future date. Councilmember Larson thanked the PTRC for working hard on this issue. He stated this was exactly what the PTRC should do was to advocate for the parks and trails. Mayor Aplikowski thanked the residents for their opinions also. . Mr. Crassweller clarified that the Council had agreed to a sidewalk and a decision would be made in the future as to which side. He asked if they could do a motion to this effect. Mayor ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 10 . Aplikowski stated this was being taped and she was not sure she could get Council to do a motion tonight. MOTION: Mayor Aplikowski moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to agree that there will be a sidewalk on either the north or south side of the County Road E after further study was done on the safety of the intersections and the feasibility of it being on the north side. The motion failed (2-2) (CoUl1cilmembers Grant and Holden). Councilmember Grant stated he would like Councilmember Rem's opinion also as well as furtber information on the feasibility ofthe sidewalk being put on the north side. Councilmember Holden stated she wanted information regarding the intersection. Mayor Aplikowski inquired if they wanted this to be tabled to a future meeting once staff had obtained the requested information. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to postpone the discussion of the sidewalk on County Road E to a future Council meeting once additional information was obtained on safety . concerns at the intersection and the application process at the State. Ms. Wolfe stated the City Engineer had suggested they make a recommendation to put the sidewalk on the north side and he would check with the State as to how difficult it would be to change it to the south side, if necessary. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mr. Filla arrived at 9:20 p.m. B. Al!.reement for the Economic Development Commission to Prepare an Economic Development Assistance Study Mr. Clark stated on September 29, 2004, the first Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting convened. The main discussion centered on the first charge ofthe group. It was decided that the preparation of a position paper to the City Council regarding economic development assistance to tbe TCAAP project would be appropriate based upon consensus by the Council. Mr. Clark outlined the tasks to be performed by the EDC. He noted the EDC was prepared to begin work immediately and it was assumed the EDC would need at least three to four months to complete the assignment as presented with all meeting being scheduled from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 . a.m. MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Mayor Aplikowski seconded a motion to allow the Economic Development Commission to prepare a study paper ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12,2004 11 . on "Does the TCAAP project need economic development assistance and what types of issues does this present to the City as a whole". Councilmember Grant requested the Commission also look at ways for TCAAP to finance itself. Mayor Aplikowski noted this was a part of this study. Councilmember Grant stated he wanted to make sure there would not be a financial impact with respect to an increase in taxes to the current residents because of TCAAP. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Guidant Corporation Extension for Addition J Mr. Hellegers explained the applicant had requested a one-year extension for the start of construction on Addition J. The extension would be a one-year extension to currently permitted one-year time period between approval of the Final Plan PUD and issuance of the Building Permit. e Mr. Hellegers noted on September 13, 2004 staff received a letter from Dan Riehle, Facilities Manager for Guidant Corporation requesting an extension of one-year for the construction of Addition J. Addition J would house research and development functions and include offices and workstations for research and development employees. Mr. Riehle had indicated that Addition J was a project that Guidant was committed to building and anticipated that construction would likely begin sometime between late spring and early fall, 2005. An extension of one-year would allow Guidant the flexibility to submit building plans within that timeframe and still begin construction in 2005. Mr. Hellegers stated staffrecommends approval of the one-year extension to allow Guidant to have an approved Building Permit for Addition J no later than February 23, 2005. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to approve a one-year extension for the start of construction on Addition J to allow Guidant to have an approved Building Permit no later than February 23,2005. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Ms. Wolfe - None. . Councilmember Holden - Stated that Ramsey County Sheriff was looking for citizens to join the Citizens Civil Defense Board. She asked if the City was going to maintain the irrigation system in the Cummings Park median. Mr. Brown replied to his knowledge there would not be ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 12 . any landscaping done, but if an irrigation system were put in, the City would probably maintain it. Mr. Moore stated the City would take over the maintenance of the irrigation system, if one was put in, but he did not believe an irrigation system would be put in. Councilmember Holden asked if the new SOOMHZ system was in affect and how the City was maintaining their 911 system separate from St. Paul. Ms. Wolfe replied they had a meeting on this last week and they had worked through a lot of the concerns brought up in the recent letter that had been sent. She stated the County Board directed they locate a site that would ultimately be large enough to dispatch for the entire County, but they were not moving into that until they could address the cost issues. Councilmember Grant - Stated he believed the neighborhood meetings were well attended. However, he indicated there was confusion among residents that the residents could not attend meetings outside of their precinct. He suggested they change the name of their meetings to not include precinct numbers, but instead name them City meeting I of 4, etc. He stated some of the new street signs were up and most of them were looking good, but some of them were at 45- degree angles to the streets, but he understood those would be corrected in the near future. He stated the County had acquired the property on the other side of the railroad north of Tony . Schmidt Park. He indicated the idea of painting crosswalks in a number of locations was a good idea and requested staff look at other areas in the City where a crosswalk would be beneficial. He asked how the move into the new maintenance facility was progressing. Mr. Moore replied that all of the large equipment had been moved into the new maintenance facility and now personal items and tools were being moved into the facility. He noted as of this week, they were up and operational at the new facility with the phones and fax being operational tomorrow. Councilmember Larson - Stated he agreed with Councilmember Grant regarding changing the names of the neighborhood meetings as well as putting in crosswalks in the City at intersections that needed them. He requested a future discussion with the Council as to what they visualized for the old City Hall site, now that there was a possible development proposal being discussed. Mr. Clark stated he understood staff did have authorization to have discussions with the developer and they had received an offer today on the property and this was on the agenda for discussion at their Work session next week. Mayor Aplikowski - Stated she had returned from a conference in Duluth today and Aaron Parrish sent greetings back to the Council. She stated she hoped the City paint crosswalks at intersections because this was an important issue. Mr. Moore replied these were County crosswalks and in the past the City was not permitted to do the work on the crosswalks and the crosswalks would be done by the County when their schedule permitted. However, he indicated he would check with the County as to whether they would move this up on their schedule, or . whether they would give City maintenance staff permission to stripe the crosswalks themselves and would update Council on this in the future. ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 13 . Mayor Aplikowski ~ Stated they would need to put a reminder in the City newsletter when these crosswalks were put in that it was against the law to proceed through an intersection when there was a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Mayor Aplikowski - Agreed they should change the name of the neighborhood meetings and suggested they simply list them as City meetings. Mayor Aplikowski - Stated the Shoreview Council was very upset with the decision made on the Lexington Avenue sidewalk. She stated the Shoreview Council wanted the bituminous trail to be on the Arden Hills side. She indicated she would not ask the Council to reconsider their decision, but asked if the Council stood by their decision on the Lexington Avenue sidewalk. Councilmember Grant - Stated he was fine with their previous decision. Councilmember Larson - Stated he had spoken with a Shoreview Councilmember and he understood their concerns, but he believed if they were going to be asked to act, he wanted the request to come from the Shoreview Council as a whole and not one Councilmember. Ms. Wolfe stated she had heard a rumor that the Shoreview Council was not pleased with the decision made at the last meeting and inquired with a Shoreview staff member and the Mayor about this who indicated they understood the Arden Hills Council's decision. . Mayor Aplikowski agreed that unless this was a formal request made by the Shoreview City Council, their decision would stand as it was. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 9:51 p.m. .'! ;' ., /)7 _./ i;~ ': ,,//",;{;l /;,..- /' ,/" ,',' i' 71 _ - ' // i / l' -;/ i' Y! I .",,/.t. II. / " (C /"J I /-,;~,(;~"['-?-{iI/ i X/JI.L/!:&.-/L''i/ >t /. , t,'_ .) ,- -'.f' /.,', ';(.1-...' ,/ /.,. .' .t/ ",-' I,v "l1/C''.../i ,__,/' .. A //../.-'1---( Beverly Aplik6wski Michelle Wolfe , '-.- '-' // u ~,. Mayor City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Council Meeting will be held Monday, October 25,2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Arden Hills Council Chambers. .