Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 01-11-1999 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1999 4:45 P.M. - CITY HALL, 4364 WEST ROUND LAKE ROAD CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 4:58 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Gregg Larson, Paul Malone, and Lois Rem; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Assistant to the City Administrator, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Director, Dwayne Stafford; City Accountant, Terrance Post; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Fox 29 Tower Discussion Mr. Ringwald and Mr. Fritsinger reviewed the status of the Fox 29 Tower request, and sought further direction from the City Council. . Mr. Ringwald advised Councilmembers that the Fox 29 group was in the proccss of preparing a Purchase Agreement for the Vaughan property in the Gateway Business District for the purpose of erecting a 1500 foot communications tower, including a 20 - 30,000 square foot accessory building for equipment. The company was not anticipating on-site employees, therefore creating no major traffic volume; and the future construction of a studio on the site was apparently no longer being considered. Mr. Ringwald stated that he and Mr. fritsinger had made extensive inquiries during the last several meetings with company owners and managers in addressing a variety of City concerns; specifically public safety from ice build up, impacts on adjoining property values; and negative impacts on future development. Staff had requested company representatives to provide additional information to the City, in addition to a thorough review of the City of Shoreview's building records for a historical perspective of ice damage data, negative impacts on development in the area; property appraisals, etc. It was staffs opinion that, while the firm would like to obtain a site on TCAAP, they were willing to develop the Vaughan site as an alternative. Conversations between staff and TCAAP representatives indicated no additional conversations had taken place with TCAAP officials. Staff will be conducting an independent investigation of City of Shoreview building records, as well as working with City Attorney Filla on the City of Arden Hills' existing ordinance and original intent as it relates to specific heights; applicable federal legislation that may supercede . municipal ordinances; a replication of the City's ordinance history with any Special Use Permit issuances; review of the City of Shoreview tower farm contract; the various options available to the City; and the possible consideration of a moratorium. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY I 1. 1999 2 . Other items of discussion included, potential loss of City revenue; Shoreview tower farm capacity; Arden Hills residents' access to Channel 29; existing towers within the City (Vaughan site and MnDOT); pending assessments; future property uses tor school expansion if the MnDOT site consolidated with the Fox 29 tower; strobe light concerns; potential consultant needs for research; aesthetics; proximity to trails; insurance liability ramifications; and other strategies. Mr. Fritsinger advised Councilmembers that the firm was targeting the March Planning Commission meeting for submittal of their application, and that the City appeared to have two options; location of the tower on the TCAAP site or the Vaughan property. Staff was directed to continue working with City Attorney Filla on investigating the proposed tower and site, and provide a recommendation to the Council on available options as soon as possible and various ramifications of those options. Staff was also directed to prepare a press release regarding this proposal. b. West Round Lake Road. Phase II Alternates The City Council had previously discussed the design ofthe Phase II West Round Lake Road . project. At that time, the Council had voted against a project that included full medians, but expressed an interest in other options. Greg Brown, Consulting Engineer and Graham Sones, Landscape Architect, from BRW, Inc. were in attendance to present four alternates for further discussion. Mr. Brown reviewed the four alternates, their associated costs and amenities, and clarified various questions and comments of the Council. The four options considered were: . Forty-four (44) foot roadway with 12 foot median and 16 foot lanes . Fifty (50) foot roadway with 18 foot median and 16 foot lanes . Forty-four (44) foot roadway with flush, decorative paved median and 16 foot lanes . Forty-four (44) foot roadway with no median (center lane) and 16 foot lanes Mr. Brown and Mr. Fritsinger clarified that the cost estimates did not include landscaping, top soil, lighting, irrigation, or trees and shrubs; only the infrastructure costs were provided. Cost estimates for the landscaping (plant materials only) were $5,000 per median for a minimal approach, or $26 - 30,000 for the entire project. Further discussion included lighting options; estimated cost of cold in place recycling; pending assessments and funding availability; overhead power lines; freeway location; character of entire . roadway; and its affect on the rest ofthe development. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY I 1. 1999 3 . It was the consensus of the Council that more amenities be provided at the entrances and the Phase II project be tabled until further development occurs in the area, with cold in place recycling being done on the portion of the road that needed work the most to avoid further deterioration. c. Final Town Hall Meeting Plans Mr. Fritsinger briefly reviewed those items that are intended to be utilized at this year's Town Hall meeting, including advertising; consulting agency invitation list; programs; Philosophy Statement, and other items. The Council was asked to provide any additional suggestions or ideas for the meeting. Mr. Fritsinger also distributed a proposed volunteer form and community feedback form for possible use at the meeting. Further discussion included changing the time of year for the meeting once we're in our new facility to coincide with the League of Minnesota Cities "Cities Week;" committee volunteer involvement and recognition; Sushila Shah's availability with information on human rights Issues; Staff was directed to proceed with the same format as 1998; recognition of Committee . Chairpersons by Mayor Probst; a variety of GIS maps available for display; have the meeting videotaped; invite Joseph Strauss and Sushila Shah; revise several ofthe handout materials. Councilmember Malone advised Councilmembers and staff that he may not be available for the Town Hall meeting due to a scheduling conflict. d. City Council/Denartment Head Retreat/Scheduling Mr. Fritsinger sought the Council's direction on the date, timing and topics for the annual proposed 1999 City Council/Department Head Retreat. Various potential dates and locations were discussed. Possible topics for discussion, available dates and locations, and whether or not to use a facilitator were reviewed. Suggested topics for consideration included, committee structure; incorporation of philosophy statement in City operations and linking of Council and department priorities; impact of staff reorganization; service delivery and future police contracting with Ramsey County and Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department; and future transportation, Bethel Park and/or TCAAP devclopment. Staff was directed to provide additional information in the weekly Council packet as plans are finalized. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JANUARY I I. 1999 4 . e. WisPark Environmental Impact Statement eElS) The City Council was provided with a draft of the proposed WisPark Development Environmental Impact Statement in the City of Shoreview, and asked to provide comment. Mr. Ringwald provided an overview, directing the Council's attention specifically to the County Road I traffic loading. Staff was directed to provide comment regarding the need for this development to recognize future traffic needs coming out of TCAAP, and that MnDOT, Ramsey County, and the City of Shoreview address this future planning as not being the sole responsibility ofthe City of Arden Hills and to establish a cost-sharing framework now to accommodate those future development needs, and seek a formal Memorandum of Understanding between all parties now. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Bethel Park Project Mr. Pritsinger updated the Council on the Bethel Park Project, and advised he would be bringing this item to the February 8, 1999 City Council meeting. . Anderson/Rekuski Project Mr. Fritsinger updated the Council on additional information received from the City Attorney on the AndersonlRekuski property, and advised that staff would be pursuing abatement proceedings to resolve the remaining issues. The property owner had funds in escrow to cover any City expenses incurred. Future Transportation Planning Councilmembers and staff reviewed various transportation options tor consideration by the I-35W Corridor Coalition and in light of the Metropolitan Council's light rail transportation plans as part of future TCAAP development. Council Meeting Scheduling Mayor Probst advised he may not be available for the March 15, 1999 Council meeting due to a scheduling conflict. Ci~ Administrator Annual Evaluation Councilmember Malone and Mayor Probst briefly reviewed the process for the annual evaluation of the City Administrator with new Councilmembers. ADJOURN e MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Aplikowski seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).