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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 03-17-2003 . ~ ~~ILLS MEETING MINUTES FINAL CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, MARCH 17,2003,4:45 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: Interim City Administrator/Community Services Director, Aaron Parrish; Operations & Maintenance Director Tom Moore; Planner, . Peter Hellegers; Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Director, Cynthia Young and Engineer Greg Brown. 2.A TCAAP - Restoration Advisorv Board Mr. Parrish introduced Paul Bloom and Jay Bell, representing the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). Mr. Bloom discussed the contamination history and the RAB's role in the clean-up of the community supported Vento Plan for the TCAAP property. Mr. Bloom reviewed how the TCAAP property became contaminated and presented a graphic representation of the groundwater contamination which was caused by bum areas, chemical disposal areas, construction debris, solvent under buildings, contaminated sewer lines, small arms firing ranges, grenade fuse test range, storage and manufacturing areas, and waste from handling radionuclides. He eXplained that the RAB obtained its information from the Army and the consultants that the Army hired. Mr. Bloom discussed remediation methods which included soil excavation, soil vapor extraction, groundwater recovery and the burning of buildings where explosives were stored. Mr. Bloom said the RAB would not really know the scope . of the contamination of many sections until the existing buildings are removed. He said there is generally more contamination than delineated in the site and the cost -- -.-- ----.---.- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MARCH 17, 2003 2 . for clean-up generally goes over budget. He indicated there were several hundred thousand pounds of solvents in the Arden Hills Army Training Center (AH ATS) portion of the site. He cautioned the City Council to choose a "clean-up" consultant who is very experienced with this issue. He suggested the City explore ideas from other cities that have undergone this process. Mr. Bell said his expertise was in studying landscape soils and their best uses. He presented a Geographic Information System (GIS) aerial photograph which illustrated the TCAAP site, and a digital elevation rendering of the site. He presented a slide that illustrated the Vento Plan, which included a recreation area, residential and commercial areas, and the contamination sites. He eXplained that the sandy soils held much less contaminates than the clay soils. Mayor Aplikowski asked the RAB if the City was on the right track to accomplish its goals as they relate to the Vento Plan. Mr. Bloom said he thought the City was doing the right thing, but encouraged them to view other similar sites across the country, and be sure to take time and . think things through because there certainly could be some expensive surprises. The RAB board members introduced themselves and offered comments which encouraged the City Council to proceed slowly and purposefully. Mayor Aplikowski noted the City had made a commitment to slow down the process and wait until there was more information about the land, and thanked the RAB for participating in the Work Session and providing valuable information. 2.B Anchor Bank Traffic Access Issue Mr. Rellegers introduced Architect Todd Mohegan and Consultant Jim Benshoof who represent the applicant and stated the applicant [Anchor Bank] requested time to present their traffic study for the Council's review. He explained that there are currently thirteen (13) curb-cuts on County Road E, and the County had stated that not one accident had been noted involving vehicles entering and exiting the driveway onto County Road E from the Wells Fargo property directly east of the applicant's property. . Mr. Jim Benshoof provided a traffic overview of the exit only; right and left turn driveway onto County Road E. He stated the need for this access drive was to ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MARCH 17,2003 3 . improve traffic flow within the site and so Anchor Bank could be competitive with other businesses in the area. He said his company determined the access drive was feasible for both the traveling public and Anchor Bank. He further noted that City Engineering Consultant, Nick Landwer of URS, was supportive of the proposal. Mr. Benshoof observed that the area between the 51 interchange and Lexington was fully developed and doubted there would be any additional curb cut installation on County Road E. He suggested Anchor Bank motorists would have at a choice of exits, as well. Councilmember Larson said he was still not supportive of any further curb-cuts on County Road E, and that his understanding was that the applicant was going to try to use the access from Pine Tree Drive and then come back later if an access to County E was necessary. Councilmember Grant said he felt customers may choose the safest exit from any businesses along County Road E. He suggested there may be some curb-cuts on County Road E which could be eliminated. . Mayor Aplikowski said she favored the additional curb-cut, but that the excess traffic on County Road E continues to be a problem. Mr. Mohegan said safety factors were uppermost in the minds of the bank officials and that the majority of the patrons of Anchor Bank would be local and therefore familiar with the traffic issues on County Road E. He reminded the Council that the Ramsey County Traffic Engineer, Benshoof & Associates, and the Arden Hills City Engineer all had no problems with the curb-cut. A majority of the Council requested that an amendment to the Site Plan be presented to the Council at their April 14, 2003 meeting. 2.C Guidant Reauest and Develooment Al?:reement Mr. Parrish said there were two questions for the Council to consider relative to this request: 1) Does the City want to provide an abatement and, 2) if so, how much? Councilmember Larson said the City has provided several concessions to . Guidant already, and suggested another applicant may be more worthy of abatement. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MARCH 17, 2003 4 . The consensus of the Council was to deny the request, and directed staff to draft a letter to Guidant, respectfully declining the request. Mr. Parrish requested the City Council comment on the Development Agreement. Councilmember Rem said it may be helpful to make a note of what pages of the master plan document is referenced in the Development Agreement. She suggested a neighborhood group member may want to provide input regarding the Development Agreement. Councilmember Larson brought forth several concerns regarding the park building. He said he was not comfortable with a park dedication fee that was not a solid figure. He said he would have felt better if the dollars for the park building was a figure that the City monitored, rather than Guidant having the full say in how the project progresses. Rich Straumann, PTRC said the $350,000 park building was a result of the . design specifications recommended by that body. The consensus of the Council was that the construction of the park building be monitored carefully by the City. 2.D TCAAP: Phase II Planninl!: The Council discussed several Phase II TCAAP concerns and agreed that it would not define any additional issues until May, 2003. 3.A Banners - County Road E Mr. Moore presented a graphic representation of a banner designed by artist and resident Derrick Hames. He noted that currently there are eighteen (18) banners on County Road E, and requested twenty (20). He explained the cost for removal and installation of the new banners is $2,700, with a turnaround of eight weeks. Mr. Moore requested direction from the City Council regarding this project. The consensus of Council was to proceed with the creation, purchase and . installation of twenty banners, with the lighter green tree, rather than the Arden Hills tan. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MARCH 17,2003 5 . 3.B Street Sh!:DS Mr. Moore presented a drawing which illustrated several street sign options. He noted the installed cost per sign was $175 each. Mr. Moore said there are 750- 1,000 sign locations. Mr. Parrish asked for direction from the Council on this issue as a 2004 project. The consensus of Council was to approach this issue later in the year commencing as a 2004 project. 3.C 2003 PMP - Review and Prepare for March 31. 2003 Public Assessment Hearin2: (Karth Lake East and In2:erson Nei2:hborhoods) Mr. Moore said this agenda item was necessary to prepare Council for the March 31, 2003 Public Hearing regarding the Karth Lake East and Ingerson Neighborhoods. Concerning the Ingerson Court cul-de-sac, Mr. Moore said the . Operations and Maintenance Workers have less trouble snow-plowing the hammerhead than a cul-de-sac. Former Mayor Bob Woodburn said the hammerhead on Ingerson Court is preferable to a cul-de-sac by the residents and the present road design seems to be well liked. Engineer Brown said in principle, the cul-de-sac is a good design. The consensus of the Council was to have the hammerhead design on Ingerson Court remain. Mr. Moore made the Council aware of a letter hand-delivered to resident Linda Swanson as found in the Work Session agenda packet. He stated the improvements to the area in concern would benefit the overall look of the area. He noted the City had already spent in excess of $10,000 concerning the Josephine Hills Association Easement. Councilmember Larson said he did not support the abatement of the Josephine . Hills Association assessment because the improvement enhances and benefits their ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MARCH 17, 2003 6 . property. He noted the Association is greatly benefited by the improvements, and also reduces their liability. For future consideration, the consensus of the Council was to not purchase an easement from the Josephine Hills Association. The Council and Staff discussed procedures and possible scenarios which may occur at the March 31, 2003 Assessment Public Hearing. 3.D 2004 PMP Mr. Moore presented the 2004 Pavement Management Program (PMP) neighborhood meeting schedule. Mr. Moore noted water/fIooding as a result of the frost level, which causes some storm sewer lines to freeze. He also reminded Council of the deadline to order trees as April 14, 2003, and thanked Council for their support. . 4.A Executive Search Firm Councilmembers Holden and Rem recommended Personnel Decisions International as the preferred Executive Search Firm to contract with the City to assist in its effort to hire a City Administrator. Councilmember Larson said he was still committed to his idea to offer the Administrator position to Interim Administrator Parrish, who is a "known commodity." He also noted his preference was not to spend the money on a consultant. The majority of the Council agreed to direct staff to draft a resolution appointing Personnel Decisions International as the Executive Search Firm, and to bring forth to the Council at its March 31, 2003 meeting. Citv Council Comments: Council member Holden said she received seven phone calls regarding the 1-35W Corridor Coalition tax situation. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MARCH 17, 2003 7 . Council member Rem requested staff bring the Data Practices Procedure for review at its April 14, 2003 meeting. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted - Cynthia Young, Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Director ~~ ry~~" ~ ;~; Mayor Beverly ApJikowski ~ Interim Administrator Aaron Parrish . . ------------...-