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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 02-16-1999 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 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, and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Pritsinger; Public Works Director, Dwayne Stafford; City Accountant, Terrance Post; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. Councilmember Rem arrived at 5:04 p.m.; and Assistant to the City Administrator, Kevin Ringwald arrived at 5:05 p.m. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Marketing Brochure In the absence of Mr. Ringwald, Mr. Fritsinger reviewed the status of the draft marketing . brochure being prepared by the Business Development Committee. The committee is currently awaiting one additional bid prior to presentation to the City Council at a future meeting. b. Turnback of Lake Johanna Boulevard Mr. Stafford advised the Council that the turnback of Lake Johanna Boulevard to the City, as identified in the County's three-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), has been accelerated by the County to take place this year. Mr. Stafford also provided an alternate proposal by Ramsey County for City acceptance of New Brighton Road between County Roads D and E with the remaining segment from County Road E to E-2 to also be turned back to City jurisdiction after the County rebuilds the railroad bridge near Perry Park. Mr. Stafford pointed out several considerations, including length of segments; current roadway condition and cost of reconstruction; right-of-way issues; boundary issues between communities; and open space accessibility. Other considerations included future freeway capacity and its effects on local jurisdiction roadways. Mr. Fritsinger concurred with Mr. Stafford's assessment and analysis of City options. After further discussion, staff was directed to obtain, from Ramsey County, comparative information for both roadways; consider a right-of-way survey for both roads; determination of whether proposed street improvements would consist of the City-standard street with curb and . gutter and have BR W provide cost estimates for a parkway design for Lake Johanna Boulevard, with several alternates to the base road. Once a thorough review has been provided by Ramsey County and City staff, staff was directed to provide the information to the Council for further ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 16. 1999 2 . consideration prior to making a determination on the County's turnback proposal. c. City Liability Insurance Premium Options Mr. Post reviewed a history and cost projections for Insurance Deductible Fund No. 230. Mr. Post stated that he and City Administrator Fritsinger were considering several options: higher deductibles and/or higher excess liability coverages with or without waivers in consideration of premium cost and reduced dividend impacts. Staff was advised by Council to use their discretion as to the least impact for the budgeting process. d. Year 2000 Mr. Fritsinger presented a review of components involved in the Year 2000 issue from a service provider and equipment position and staff s preliminary assessment to-date. Mr. Fritsinger stated he had taped an interview with CTV for public viewing regarding the City's response to the problem. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the City continued to follow the procedures as recommended by the League of Minnesota Cities, and that staffs next step in the process would . be to contact the City's major vendors and assure those receiving City services of the City's due diligence. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the City will concentrate on the daily operations of basic and necessary services, and continue "business as usual." There was some discussion on the necessity of a standard letter to residents, possibly in the form of a water bill flyer, newsletter articles, or press releases. Staff was directed to continue documenting the City's due diligence ofthe various aspects and, as they are recognized, incorporate any necessary contingencies into the City's Emergency Management Plan. Council also concurred with the concentration on the basic and necessary servIces. e. North Suburban Transit Concept Councilmember Malone had prepared and presented to Council a draft proposal for Light Rail Transit (LRT) and potential use of abandoned rail lines for development of a LRT station on the TCAAP property. Mr. Malone encouraged Councilmembers to consider having Arden Hills take the lead in presenting a proposal to the State for consideration, via the I-35W Corridor Coalition, in return for management of the first phases of infrastructure development on TCAAP. Mr. Ringwald advised there was an upcoming workshop regarding transit, sponsored by . Metropolitan Transit. Councilmember Larson suggested removing any comparisons to parking accommodation at the airport from the proposal. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 16. 1999 3 . Staff was directed to pursue this proposal through the 1-3 5W Corridor Coalition and onto a State level as deemed appropriate. The concept should be presented as generally as possible. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Council/Department Head Retreat Update Mr. Pritsinger reviewed several items regarding the upcoming Retreat. Thank You Councilmember Aplikowski expressed her appreciation for the condolences from Councilmembers and staff on the recent loss of her husband, Richard. Mounds View School District No. 621 Mayor Probst and Mr. Pritsinger reviewed highlights of their recent meeting with school district representatives and neighboring city representatives for the upcoming school bond referendum. Discussion items included concerns regarding the district's future plans for a joint athletic . facility and concerns regarding the lack of participation provided to the City, as a major taxing authority, in plans to-date for the referendum. Total Disability Utility Rate Issue Mr. Fritsinger updated the Council on a possible litigation issue regarding alleged discrimination by the City to total disabled utility customers and utility. Mr. Fritsinger advised the Council that he was reviewing the issue with City Attorney Filla and whether it is necessary to re-evaluate the City's position. Tale of Ten Cities Taping. CTV Mayor Probst advised that he had been invited to do a taping in mid-March for CTV on the segment, "Tale ofTen Cities." ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Aplikowski moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). .