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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 04-21-2003 . ~ ~~HILLS MEETING MINUTES Approved: April 28, 2003 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2003, 4:45 P.M. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 l. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Aplikowski called the meeting to order at 4:55 p.m. Present: Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rem. Staff present: Interim City Administrator/Community Services Direcfor, Aaron Parrish; Operations & Maintenance Director, Tom Moore; Deputy . Clerk/Human Resources Director, Cynthia Young, City Engineer Greg Brown, Planner Peter Hellegers, and City Attorney Jerry Filla. 2.A Librarv Board Presentation Mr. Parrish introduced Alice Jo Carlson from the Ramsey County Library Board. She presented and reviewed a budget fact sheet which indicated how the Ramsey County Library system was funded. She noted the closing of the Arden Hills branch would occur in January of 2004. Ms. Carlson presented a proposal and architectural rendering of a new Arden Hills branch of the Ramsey County Library. She noted that a recent survey suggested taxpayers were willing to accept a tax increase if a new library were constructed. She explained that the current Arden Hills branch building was outdated and not ADA compliant. She explained that the proposed facility could house several different functions, and not simply serve as just a library. Ms. Carlson welcomed the City of Arden Hills as a partner in the project. Councilmember Larson asked if the project may be delayed after the closing of the Arden Hills branch. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 21, 2003 2 ~---- . Ms. Carlson said if it were up to her, it would not. She said the library board had worked hard to keep the costs low, therefore hoping the Ramsey County Board would be supportive of this project. Mayor Aplikowski reported that she had received a fair number of calls from people who wanted to see the Arden Hills branch stay open. Ms. Carlson stated the budget and proposal was uncertain at this time, explaining the library board was clearly at the mercy of the State budgetary situation and the levy limits set forth, as well. 2.B Open Meeting Law Mr. Filla reviewed the State of Minnesota Open Meeting Law. He noted that if any Councilmembers attempted to "get around" the open meeting law by meeting as a quorum of 3 or more members, by physical meeting and/or e-mailing, and voice mail, that they were af risk of violation. He suggested that the Supreme Court has become rather narrow in its judgments. . Councilmember Rem asked if there was a violation if she attended an Arden Hills public meeting and was a part of the audience. Mr. Filla said the deciding factor for violation is whether or not the quorum is receiving Arden Hills information at a meeting. He nofed the fine is rather minimal at $300, but legal fees could be in excess of$13,000. He said the bigger problem is voice mail and e-mails between the Councilmembers. Councilmember Grant asked if a "third-person" conversation, e.g. a staff member relaying informafion to other Councilmembers, could be considered a violation of the open meeting law. Mr. Filla said his conservative answer was, "yes". He reminded the council that the public perception may be an additional concern. Councilmember Larson asked if there was a risk of violation if more than three members attended a political caucus or other public meeting. . The Council discussed amended agenda's and the deadlines for submitting agenda items to staff. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 21, 2003 3 ----~..~~ ~-_.~ . 2.C Data Practices Procedure Mr. Filla stated all cities are required to adopt a data practices policy. He reviewed the proposed policy. Staff was directed to bring to Council at its April 28, 2003 meeting as a discussion item. 4.B Recycle Contract/Bins Staff was directed to bring to Council at its April 28, 2003 meeting as a discussion item. 2.D USPS Resolution Mr. Parrish presented a draft resolution fhat indicated a postal facility would not be compatible wifh the vision of the Vento Plan or the TCAAP Framework Plan because a large postal distribution facility would negatively impact the mixed use . character of the Vento Plan so as to endanger, if not preclude housing, commercial and recreational development; that to adopt a disjointed development model involving the United States Postal Service would undo years of planning and preparation by numerous individuals and groups to prepare for the reutilization of the site; this finding is based on the noise, traffic and visual impact created by a large postal distribution facility; and that this use does not promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Arden Hills. The Council reviewed the contents of the draft resolution and made several suggestions, all agreeing fhat a postal service distribution facility does not fall within the scope and vision for the development of the TCAAP site. Councilmember Larson stated he felt the City needed to know and guide what the development team was lobbying for and against regarding fhe development of the TCAAP site. The Council agreed that involving the newly appointed Metropolitan Council representative in the process would be a prudent move at this point. . The Council directed staff to bring forth the resolution to it at its April 28, 2003 meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 21, 2003 4 . 3.A 2004 Budl!:et Process and Council Priorities Mr. Parrish reviewed the 2004 Budget Calendar. He eXplained that the process had been revised to include more input from staff directors. Mr. Parrish outlined factors influencing the 2004 budget and opportunities and issues requiring further evaluation. 4.A Celebratinl!: Arden Hills: UPDATE Mr. Moore presented the Council with fifty (50) tickets for the barbeque dinner at the Celebrating Arden Hills event. He asked for feedback from the Council regarding the 3-4 o'clock p.m. on center stage "open time" during the event, which is Saturday, June 28, 2003. Mayor Aplikowski urged the Council to put forth an effort to promote the event, which has been mainly organized by staff and a handful of community volunteers. . 4.C 2003 Pavement Manal!:ement Prol!:ram Update Mr. Moore reminded the Council that the 2004 PMP informational meeting for the Edgewater neighborhood is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 3003 at City Hall from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Mr. Moore reviewed the amended assessment roll, specifically the fourteen (14) comer lot property owners. Mr. Brown said although the assessment policy is clear on the duration for assessments, all those property owners with comer lots had previously paid for assessments earlier. The Council discussed the assessment policy for comer lots and came to a consensus that corner lots will be assessed at a rate of 1/3 their assessed frontage. Council directed staff to bring the amended 2003assessment roll for the fourteen (14) comer lots to the April 28, 2003 Council meeting. S.A 2003 Retreat Goals . i. Mission/Vision ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 2 I, 2003 5 _."- . The Council reviewed the mission and vision statements which had been crafted at the 2003 Council/Staff Retreat. After the Council made additional changes, it directed staff to bring forth the final version at the Monday, April 28,2003 Council meeting. ii. Key Strategies: 2003 The Council directed staff to create a timeline of the key strategies which had been developed at the 2003 Council/Staff Retreat. Council Reports: Councilmember Holden requested information regarding: a letter the Council reviewed; the status of the current cable problems; the PDI administrator search; Anchor Bank progress; and, Presbyterian Homes. Councilmember Rem asked if the air conditioning in City Hall, specifically . Council Chambers had been resolved, and reported she would not be attending the Ramsey County League of Local Government meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2003. Councilmember Larson said he would be attending the Lake Johanna Relief Association meeting; and requested that the Council make every attempt to abbreviate the length of its meetings, stating there must be a way to address the issues in a more efficient time frame. Councilmember Grant reported that the trees along E-2 and Cleveland had been clear-cut; requested a change in the Council Chambers signage; asked if the City was prepared to handle a power outage; requested the City review the emergency preparedness policy; said 2004 PMP communication was going well and wanted to discuss the assessment policy and Shoreline Lane; inquired how the part time contract finance director working out; asked if there was any news from Chesapeake; inquired about the cost of the proposed street signs; and reported that fhe Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee would be meeting Tuesday, April 22, 2003. . Mayor Aplikowski brought forth a proposal from the Minnesota Falun Data practitioners for a proclamation that the City commemorates May 13, 2003 as ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION APRIL 21,2003 6 . International Falun Dafa Day. The Council briefly discussed the request, and directed staff to respectfully decline. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Young - Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Director ~et~ ~,~!~.i.t. . . ayo everly Aplikowski "'1 ._ ~ // L~--c':f;>l~ ;t...!..--:?----7~ Aaron Parrish, Interim Administrator . .