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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 07-21-2003 . ~ ~HILLS DRAFT CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, JULY 21, 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.rn. Present: Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Gregg Larson, and Lois Rem (arrived 9:30 p.rn.). Staff present: Interim City Administrator/Community Services Director, Aaron Parrish; Operations & Maintenance Director, Thomas J. Moore; Deputy Clerk/Human Resources Director, Cynthia Young, Recreation . Program Supervisor Michelle Olson, and Engineer Greg Brown. North Suburban Cable Commission Update Ms. Coralie Wilson Ms. Wilson presented the Council with a document which detailed the history of the North Suburban Communications Commission. She explained that the NSCC established the North Suburban Access Corporation (NSAC) which is a non-profit corporation that manages the community access channels, equipment and facilities and trains people in the community in how to produce programs for the channels. Ms. Wilson discussed the advantages of City Halls networked with fiber-nodes and digital (IP) phone systems. Regarding regulatory issues, Ms. Wilson reported that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has not been helpful in regulating the rates, most likely due to the fact that there is little competition in the area. She encouraged residents to contact their legislators regarding rate regulation and reminded residents that local access channels are brought to them free of charge. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION mL Y 21,2003 2 . Liquor License - Optional 2:00 a.m. Closinl!: Cynthia Y ounl!: - Deputv Clerk/HR Director Ms. Young said the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation to allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages on the liquor licensed premises until 2:00 a.m. on all days of the week effective July 1, 2003. She said several Arden Hills licensee's had approached staff requesting the Council adopt an amendment to the current ordinance which would follow the newly adopted statutory guideline. Mr. Grant Lindemeyer Lindey's Steak House Mr. Lindemeyer said although his establishment would most likely not be serving alcoholic beverages at 2:00 a.ill. every night, he supported the proposed amendment in order for other establishments to remain competitive with those in the surrounding communities. Ms. Kim Cossack . Blue Fox Bar and Grill Ms. Cossack echoed Mr. Lindemeyer's comments, further stating she felt her establishment could lose a vital customer base if the 2:00 a.m. amendment were not adopted. Mr. Jack Welch Big Ten Supper Club Mr. Welch agreed with the rationale provided by the previous licensee's and added he also wanted the opportunity to stay competitive with his competitor's and requested the Council approve the amendment to the ordinance as quickly as possible, stating the more time that passes, the more customers he would lose. In response to concerns about the necessity for additional police protection Councilmernber Grant stated the current contract with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department provided for one squad, twenty-four hours, seven days a week in Arden Hills with back-up provided if necessary. . Councilmember Larson expressed his support to amend the current ordinance from 1 :00 a.ill. closing to 2:00 a.ill. as stated in the recently adopted legislation. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION JULY 21, 2003 3 . The Council directed Staff to prepare the necessary documents for adoption of an amendment to the Municipal Code which allows for a 2:00 a.m. closing for liquor licensee's, and bring forth for approval at the July 28,2003 Council meeting. 2. Community Services - NONE 3.A Karth Lake Water Level Engineer Brown presented the Council with a report that illustrated two options for the permanent pumping stations for Karth Lake. He said the options were a manhole structure and a floating pump basket both of which would require the same forcemain, electrical power and control installation. The manhole version will require extensive tree clearing for the excavation and installation of the manhole at an estimated cost of $115,000. The automatic set-up would be installed out of site, be very deep (20' ~ 25 '), and require extensive restoration. He said the floating pump basket version would include a forcemain and control panel piped and powered the same as the manhole, but that the intent would be to install the . floating basket and remove it after each use which would indicate minimal site disturbance at a lower cost ($65,000), but would be visible during use periods. Mr. Parrish discussed several funding options for the project including City funding and resident participation as well as the formation of a Lake Improvement District. The City Council discussed the options and agreed that a permanent solution to the Karth Lake water level was in order. Councilmember Larson urged the Council to require that property owners contribute a portion of the cost of the solution to the problem. The Council directed staff to prepare a presentation to include the basket-method of pumping with the City and residents funding 50% of the project, through the creation of a Lake Improvement District. They requested Staff contact the Karth Lake property owners to participate in the process at the Monday, July 28, 2003 meeting. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION JULY 21, 2003 4 . 3.B Celebratinl! Arden Hills: Event Re-Cap Michelle Olson - Recreation Prol!ram Supervisor Ms. Olson presented a PowerPoint presentation of the 2003 Celebrating Arden Hills event which took place on Saturday, June 28, 2003 at Tony Schmidt Park. She thanked the Mayor, Council and Staff for participating in a fine event, despite the inclement weather. The Mayor and Council agreed that the event should be annually produced by Staff with the assistance of volunteers from the community. The tentative date for the 2004 Celebrating Arden Hills event is Saturday, June 26. 3.C 3rd Lift Station Reconstruction Enl!ineer Grel! Brown Mr. Brown brought forth a proposal to reconstruct Lift Station #7, which is in disrepair and is also located in a very difficult position if access problems should happen to occur. He noted that the 2003 CIP budget was $400,000 and the . reconstruction of Lift Stations #2 and #5 left a remaining fund of $72,000. He said the estimated cost to reconstruct Lift Station #7 was $110,000 and requested approval to go forward with the project, the balance of the cost to come from the existing Sanitary Sewer enterprise Fund. The Council agreed that Lift Station #7 should be reconstructed and directed staff to prepare the documents for the public bidding process in conjunction with the Karth Lake Water Level pumping project. 4.B Administrator Search - Update Harrv Brull/PDI Mr. Brull presented the Mayor and Council with a detailed graph of the compensation schedules for surrounding communities, Arden Hills and some Group Seven Metropolitan cities. He requested the Council's direction on bringing forth a salary offer to administrator candidate Michelle Wolfe. The Mayor, Council and Staff discussed the interview process and outcomes, the Arden Hills compensation and benefit plan and other possibilities which may . become apparent, should an offer to Ms. Wolfe be presented/accepted/denied. _ --------.--------- - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION JULY21,2003 5 . Ms. Rem arrived at approximately 9:30 p.m., and after further discussion, a majority of the Council directed Mr. Broil to contact Ms. Wolfe with a salary offer of $76,032/year, which is Step 3 on the Arden Hills Compensation Schedule, plus the current IRS rate per mile personal vehicle mileage reimbursement, and the typical City benefit package. They agreed to discuss additional terms should Ms. Wolfe accept the offer and enter into a contract with the City. The Council agreed that the Step 3 salary offer was not negotiable. The Council decided to arrange for a subsequent meeting on the topic, if necessary. 4.A.i and ii. Firearms on City Property and Work Place Violence Policy Staff presented the Council with the League of Minnesota Cities "Conceal and Carry Fact sheet, a Draft Resolution stating the City's opposition to certain provisions of the recently adopted Minnesota Personal Protection Act and a working draft of a Work Place Violence Policy. The Council discussed the option of installing a "Guns are Not Welcome at City Hall" sign and agreed that signage at City Hall and a resolution opposing certain . provisions to the Act was not necessary. They directed staff to re-visit the Work Place Violence Policy and bring it forth for future consideration. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilmember Holden requested information on the Assessment Policy Task Force, which was postponed until there was more membership interest. Councilmember Grant complimented the Operations and Maintenance Staff for the care given the perennial flower gardens found in the City. Council member Larson congratulated Building Official Dave Scherbel for his recent appointment to the State Board of Appeals. Councilmember Rem: NONE Mayor Aplikowski: NONE . ---- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION JULY 21, 2003 6 . Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Young - Deputy Clerk/HR Director. . -6= ~h--'~ . , Bever Ap lkowski, MAYOR '" . .... '-".r;:/" ~/!~. .-hi'n. , __~ _";!..-- ."..... 'ZA _.., Aaron Parish, INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR . . --.--