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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-27-1997 - e . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MAY 27, 1997 7:30 P.M. - ARMY RESERVE CENTER CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p,m. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Susan Keirn, and Paul Malone. Absent: None. Also present were: Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; City Accountant, Terry Post; Consulting Engineer, Greg Stonehouse; Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell; and Recording Secretary, Cindy Schneider. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adopt the revised agenda for the May 27, 1997, Regular City Council meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION #97-28 Mayor Probst opened the public hearing at 7:32 p.m. Terry Post, City Accountant, verified notice of the public hearing had been published in the Bulletin and further, Independent School District No. 621, and Ramsey County, had been directly notified, There have been no comments, verbal or written, received regarding this resolution subject. Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director, showed an overhead slide of the proposed modifications to TIF Development District No.1. He explained the methods of connecting the two segments into one contiguous district, showed the areas to be included in this development district, and gave an explanation and overview of the TIF financing process. Steve Apfelbacher, of Ehlers & Associates, gave a brief presentation in regards to this resolution. He explained the proposed modifications to the Development District would not affect property values or change the tax status ofresidents. He stated it is the City's desire to make all modifications to TIF Districts at one time. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 27 1997 2 . Mayor Probst inquired if the table on Page IV -3 in the Draft for Fiscal Implications indeed had the correct figures listed. Mr. Post replied the figures in the table would have to be further investigated, and would need to be revised if incorrect. Mayor Probst inquired what action could be taken at this meeting to remedy this situation. Mr. Post replied Council could formally adopt this resolution, subject to input from the City's independent financial advisors regarding the correctness of the table information. Mr. Post further stated the difference in amounts may be due to the netting of administration fees against gross tax increment revenues. Mayor Probst asked for public comments regarding this resolution. No one came forward, and the public hearing was closed at 7:48 p,m. MOTION: Keirn moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #97-28, adopting modification to the development program for Development District No. 1, the proposed modifications of Tax Increment Financing Districts Nos. 1,2 and 3, and the proposed adoption of modifications to the Tax Increment financing Plans. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES . A. B. C. D. May 12, 1997, Special Council Meeting (Architectural Interviews) May 12, 1997, Regular Council Meeting May 13, 1997, Special Council Meeting (Architectural Interviews) May 19, 1997, Council Worksession Councilmember Malone requested the following changes to the minutes of May 12, 1997, Regular Council Meeting: Page 9, first line of the first paragraph under "Council Comments" changed to read: "Councilmember Malone inquired regarding funding ofthe pedestrian bridge, and indicated a funding application cannot be transferred if the project it might be transferred to has not been previously included in the Transportation Improvement program." MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Keirn seconded a motion to accept the minutes for the March 12, 1997, Special Council Meeting; the May 13, 1997, Special Council Meeting; and the May 19, 1997, Council W orksession as presented; and the May 12, 1997, Regular Council Meeting as corrected. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). CONSENT CALENDAR . A. B. C. Claims and Payroll Committee Appointments City Hall Architectural Firm Selection, Architectural Alliance . . . ARDEN HJLLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 27.1997 3 D. Receive 1996 Audit Report, Abdo, Abdo & Eick MOTION: Malone moved and Keirn seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Probst inquired if the recent additions to the Highway 96 Task Force had been at the residents'request. Mr. Ringwald indicated they had been. PUBLIC COMMENTS Lois Rem, 1670 Glenview Court, came forward to address Council regarding any bond issuance, and suggested a public hearing may be in order on this issue. She further stated the City of Shore view will be holding a seminar on lakeshore management on May 28, 1997, and that she would be attending this seminar. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS Bob Fletcher, Ramsey County Sheriff, Award Presentation Sheriff Fletcher came forward to present a commendation to various residents of Arden Hills for their work in a literacy program sponsored by the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department. The residents include members of the Arden Hills/Shoreview Kiwanis Club, and Girl Scout Troop #179, These residents have voluntarily tutored inner-city children in their reading skills, which have improved dramatically during the course of the school year. Don Woelter, President of the Kiwanis Club, gave a brief overview of the membership and their activities, Sheriff Fletcher gave an overview of the literacy program, which mainly targets at-risk children in the first through third grades with the intent of improving their reading and language skills. A. Resolution #97-29, Accepting Gateway Business District (GBD) Feasibility Report and Ordering the Preparation of Plans and Specifications Greg Stonehouse, Consulting Engineer, referred to the bench handout, a memorandum summarizing the Feasibility Study for the Gateway Business District utility and street improvements. He stated this Study had not had any significant changes made since previous discussions at the Council Worksession on May 19, 1997. Mr. Stonehouse gave a brief overview of what the preparation of plans and specifications entailed, and showed an overhead slide outlining the area in question. He explained the various work that would be required, including rerouting of sanitary sewer, water main replacement, storm sewer rerouting, drainage and street improvements. He stated the estimated costs for both 1997 and 1998 were included in the Study. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 27.1997 4 Councilmember Hicks inquired regarding a shortage of$l,OOO,OOO in the projected 1998 assessments. Mr. Stonehouse replied this was primarily due to the type of street design, a 36- foot wide street as opposed to a boulevard, and the fact that this was a one-sided frontage road. Councilmember Hicks inquired if the City would be responsible for this cost. Mr. Stonehouse stated that was correct. Councilmember Malone stated the 1997 assessment would be applied to the developer, and inquired if the developer was aware of this. Mr. Ringwald replied the City was discussing this with the developer. Councilmember Malone inquired if these funds would be paid back to the City through TIF financing. Mr. Ringwald stated that would most likely be the case. Mr. Post stated the City was also investigating the issuance of bonds to provide initial financing for such a project. Mayor Probst inquired regarding a legal issue related to this project, and inquired if it was likely to remain an issue. Mr. Ringwald stated the issue would probably be resolved. MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #97-29, Accepting Gateway Business District (GBD) Feasibility Report and Ordering the Preparation of Plans and Specifications. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mr. Stonehouse noted MSA Consulting Engineers has been merged with Howard R. Green Consulting Engineers, He stated this should not affect his relationship with the City in any way, and the merger would allow the City to be better served in the offering of some services, ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS Mr. Post stated the annual audited Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 1996 had been provided for the reference section of the Arden Hills Library. Mr. Post briefly discussed the status oftwo assessments that were being challenged, and recommended that actual improvement footages be ascertained as the improvement is completed to re-evaluate the adopted assessment on one of the challenged assessments. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Malone stated a public hearing is scheduled for the Transportation Board of the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Malone inquired regarding the violation ofthe City's sign ordinance by the Arden Hills Texaco over the past weekend. He stated this business was using a truck for a sign in violation of City ordinances. Mr. Ringwald stated this business had been contacted regarding the use of banners, and both this issue and the tire sales issue would be brought up with the ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 27. 1997 5 . business owner. Mr. Ringwald further stated the deadline for landscaping on this property was May 31,1997, and it appeared it would not be accomplished by that date. . . A brief discussion ensued regarding sale of private property (boats, cars, etc.) on right-of-way property. Mr. Ringwald stated the City was working with MNDOT and Ramsey County in adding grass and signs to the property so it does not appear to look like a parking lot. Councilmember Aplikowski briefly discussed the welfare reform meeting she attended in Ramsey County. Councilmember Aplikowski asked for discussion regarding the proposed jail site in Shoreview. Mayor Probst suggested that Council not take a formal position, but could discuss this matter. Councilmember Aplikowski stated that while a multi-service center could be an asset to the area, she did not see how the jail could be. She further stated constituent concerns regarding the release of felons into the area. Council member Malone commented from a business standpoint, the proposal did not seem to be feasible, as two separate facilities with separate staff would be difficult to maintain. He stated the Council could take action to support the Sheriffs Department, which was against this proposal. He further stated since a jail is a temporary holding site, the release offelons was not a significant issue. Mayor Probst inquired regarding the Army's plans to switch surrounding residents from wells to City water. Mr. Ringwald stated the City has had no recent discussions with the Army on this matter. Mayor Probst stated the City should go ahead with the contemplated purchase of replacement computer equipment this year, and not wait for occupancy of new facilities. Mayor Probst stated he would be able to attend the Day-in-the-Park if needed. Mayor Probst discussed CPI concerns regarding the proposed trail along its property, and suggested the trail be placed where it would make the most sense to do so. Mayor Probst stated he would not be able to attend the League of Minnesota Cities meeting in June; however he encouraged any other Councilmembers to do so if their schedules allowed it. Councilmember Hicks inquired if the Arden Hills Texaco was required to deposit money contingent on the landscaping being completed. Mr. Ringwald stated he was unsure, but that he would investigate further. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MAY 27. 1997 6 . ADJOURN MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Dennis Probst Mayor ~d~ Terrance R. Post City Accountant NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next regular City Council meeting will be held June 9, 1997, at 7:30 p.m. at the New Brighton Council Chambers. . .