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Home My WebLink AboutCCWS 05-19-2003 . ~ ~ILLS MEETING MINUTES APPROVED: 5/27/03 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, MAY 19, 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 4:55 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, Thomas J. Moore; . Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Director, Cynthia Young, City Engineer Greg Brown, Planner Peter Hellegers, and Recreation Program Supervisor Michelle Olson. 2.A 2002 Audit Report: Abdo. Abdo. Eick and Mever Administrator Parrish introduced Steve McDonald, representing Abdo, Abdo, Eick and Meyer, who presented the 2002 Arden Hills Audit Report. Mr. McDonald said Abdo, Abdo, Eick and Meyer had audited the general purpose financial statements for the City of Arden Hills for the year ending December 31, 2002, and further stated the report indicates no apparent problems, as has been the result in past years. He noted in 2002, some bonus pay was administered which was not in compliance with the Attorney General's office. Mr. McDonald reviewed the audit report document (public copy of the 2002 audit report available at City Hall). He added, from a financial standpoint, the City was in "good shape". . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 19,2003 2 . 4.A Assessment Policy Administrator Parrish introduced a draft assessment policy further explaining that the staff management team had reviewed the City's current assessment policy and the assessment policies from several surrounding communities, after which, staff prepared a working draft. He said the draft policy before the Council incorporates a "unit based" method for calculating assessments, while the current policy calculates assessments based upon frontage footage. He said the City standard was for residential properties to be assessed at 50% and commercial properties at 70% of the costs. Councilmember Rem said although she appreciated the fact that staff had prepared a draft policy, she urged the idea of having input from the taxpaying public when developing this kind of policy. Mayor Aplikowski asked the Councilmembers to bring forth goals in devising a new assessment policy. The Council said they wanted a new assessment policy which assures that there is . revenue to complete the projects; a policy that residents feel is "fair"; and finally, an understandable document and process. The Council agreed to invite the public to participate on an assessment policy task force to bring forth its recommendations to the Council by August, 2003. Avenues to advertise for the task force will occur on the web site, cable broadcasts, Arden Hills/Shoreview Bulletin, and Arden Hills Notes. 2.B Ramsey County Maintenance Facility Exterior Desi!m Discussion Mr. Gre!! Fenton, Ramsey County, presented an illustration of the south elevation of the cold storage section of the proposed Ramsey County Joint Maintenance Facility. The illustration indicated slotted windows and a random pattern were being proposed to address City Council's concerns. He also presented a revised landscape plan that illustrated a denser site plan. Councilmember Larson said he approved of the change, but suggested the placement of a few more windows so the structure would not have the appearance of a freeway sound wall. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 19,2003 3 . Councilmember Grant said he did not like the appearance of the exterior material, and suggested the designer look at the surface used at Irondale High School as a model for this structure. It was agreeable that Ramsey County bring amended exterior designs at the June 9, 2003+ City Council meeting. 3.A Parks. Trails and Recreation Committee: Comprehensive Plan - Lon!! Term Bud!!et Plannin!! Director of Operations and Maintenance Thomas 1. Moore introduced Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Members Roberta Thompson, Bill Henry, Chairperson Rich Straumann and Jim Crassweller. Parks. Trails and Recreation Committee (PTRC) Member Bill Henrv asked the question - "We have a Council who has adopted a Comprehensive Park Plan, how do we pay for it?" . Administrator Parrish suggested charitable gambling proceeds as a possible source of revenue for the Park Fund. He explained the various funding sources and the impact of the levy limits. Mayor Aplikowski said the PTRC should define its priorities and bring forth a recommendation to the City Council for funding of the projects on an annual basis. Mr. Henry said he thought that is what the Parks Comprehensive Plan indicated. Councilmember Larson suggested the PTRC develop three (3) lists which pri ori tize trail and park improvements, capitol improvements, and other improvements. Mr. Henry asked if the PTRC were to pursue that course, what is the annual target funding amount. Mayor Aplikowski suggested $50,000 per year as a base target for Parks Comprehensive Plan development. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 19,2003 4 ^---_. . Councilmember Larson suggested a reasonable figure for the PTRC to plan for is $100,000 ($50,000 from the Park Fund and an additional $50,000 from other creative funding sources such as charitable gambling) per year as funding for the PTRC Comprehensive Plan projects. 3.B 2004 PMP - Update - Edgewater Neighborhood Director Moore said the first neighborhood meeting was on Apri] 24, 2003, stating nearly fifty percent, ]7 of the 4] property owners participated In the Edgewater/Shoreline Lane 2004 Pavement Management Program (PMP) meeting. He said staff received compliments from the residents concerning the PowerPoint presentation and that they appreciated the process the City took by informing them of the project. Engineer Brown presented an illustration of the neighborhood while Mr. Moore discussed several potentia] areas for concern, i.e. private property, grave] roads, connect or not connect an un-maintained City Street. He also noted there are a lot of cracked and sub-standard sewer lines in this neighborhood. . Administrator Parrish mentioned two upcoming meetings: . Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at 5:15 p.m. (direct]y before the regular City Council Meeting) in the Council Chambers to discuss the Ramsey County Maintenance Faci]ity. . A "listening session" with Senator Coleman at City Hall on Wednesday, May 28, 2003, from] 0:00 a.m. - ] ] :00 a.m. City Council Reports: Council member Holden said Arden Hills Notes articles are due and the committee will meet Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at 7:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room at City Ha]1. Councilmember Larson - No comments. Councilmember Rem said she would be attending the League of Minnesota Cities Conference for one day. She said she was interested in having the Council discuss additional compensation for Interim Administrator Parrish and requested Ms. . Young bring information concerning available options to the City Council at its May 27,2003 meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MAY 19,2003 5 . Councilmember Grant commented that he was not pleased with the Ramsey County proposal for the exterior surface; he questioned the new Cub structure exterior materials in the comer and asked if staff would please monitor the project; concerning the assessment policy - he said the City typically calculates on an estimate rather than actual costs, and asked that the City consider this issue. Mavor Aplikowski - No comments. Mayor Aplikowski adjourned the Work Session at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Young - Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Director. d",<~ (k;;....ii . , ever Aplikowski, MAYOR , /-' ,A X . C~~ /:?f<r7/7,.-{.__' Aaron Parish, INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR . ------