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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 09-15-1997 MINUTES " elTY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15,1997 4:45 P.M. - PUBLIe WORKS LUNeHROOM, 1450 WEST HIGHWAY 96 eALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 4:48 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Susan Keim and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Keim moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda for the September 15, 1997 Worksession. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). eITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM a. Discussion on Status of 1997 Priorities/Emplovee Workload . City Administrator Fritsinger provided a six month benchmark and overview of staff workload issues related to those priorities identified at the 1997 City Council and Department Head Retreat. Those priorities were: . Bricks and Mortar . Economic Development . Infrastructure . TCAAP Mr. Fritsinger advised Councilmembers that in previous discussions with staff, Councilmembers had requested that subsequent conversations with staff be held to examine the status of these priorities as they relate to the day-to-day focus and workload of staff. Mr. Fritsinger requested Council direction on each of the individual issues, and if these priorities were still valid. Regarding the "Brieks and Mortar" portion of staff s workload, Mr. Fritsinger reported that with the contract having been executed with the architect for a new City Hall design, staff is nearing completion of the space needs/programming study. Mr. Fritsinger stated that he anticipated that the City Council would select a site at tonight's meeting, and that this decision would most likely dominate the meeting discussion, and provide direction to staff for the next few months. . Due to the confidential nature of several items being negotiated and under discussion with the National Guard, Mayor Probst asked that the public audience consider a request to allow the Council and staff to discuss those confidential items momentarily. Those in ___u_____ ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - SEPTEMBER 15. 1997 2 . attendance agreed and left the room at 4:56 p.m. and returned at 5:00 p.m., at which time the discussion regarding City Hall continued. Discussion included the pending land transfer of TCAAP property from the Department of Defense to the National Guard; optional site locations; additional design cost projections for relocating the potential City Hall site; staff morale, productivity, and management concerns; safety and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues in the existing facility; availability of temporary space to lease; and overall timing of the project. It was the consensus of the City Council that the building design be programmed for development on the TCAAP property, with the final decision to be made in the spring of 1998 prior to letting bids. City Administrator Fritsinger was directed to relay this information to the City's Architectural firm, Architectural Alliance, at their meeting on September 17. Mr. Fritsinger advised the Council that, following this meeting, he would be scheduling a meeting ofthe Council's subcommittee to discuss the next issues of the design project. . Mr. Fritsinger reported that the "Twin eity Army Ammunition Plant (TeAAP)" project has been relatively quiet over the past several months. Mr. Fritsinger stated that since previous conversations regarding delaying the Alliant T echsystems consolidation, the City had not been contacted by Alliant. Mr. Fritsinger advised the Council that it remained to be determined if this was out of respect for City staffs current workload, or if they were no longer interested in a cooperative relationship. Regarding the "Infrastrueture" portion of staffs workload, Mr. Fritsinger reported that this issue continued to bc a critical component of Mr. Stafford and Mr. Ringwald's activities and departments. Mr. Fritsinger cited several pending projects, including Fourteenth Street improvements within the GBD; 1998 street improvements; infiltration and televising of sanitary sewer lines; ditch drainage capital improvement plan; SCADA system; and commercial water meter replacement. Mr. Fritsinger stated that he is comfortable with staff s monitoring and current maintenance of each of these projects, but stated these items did represent a substantial workload for the Public Works Department over the next few years. Regarding "Eeonomic Development" issues, Mr. Fritsinger advised that the Gateway Business District (GBD) was a major issue for all Department Heads and their staff, in its various components, and that Wednesday, September 17, was the deadline for the staff and City Council to consider any issues at the Special Council meeting scheduled for . 8:00 p.m. on September 22,1997 at the Army Reserve Center. Mr. Fritsinger addressed the current development of the GBD, and pending completion of Phase I activity. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - SEPTEMBER 15.1997 3 Mr. Fritsinger reported that staff had been working with a variety of consultants to assist with various details of the project, including Steve Apfelbacher and Mark Ruff of Ehlers & Associates; Bob Deike, Attorney; and Steve Bubal, Bond Counsel. Mr. Fritsinger stated that staff would now begin concentrating their efforts on the Phase II portion of the project, including land acquisition and relocation issues. Mr. Fritsinger emphasized the complexity of the corner site and its importance to the City. Mr. Fritsinger suggested that, in the near future, the Council may wish to revisit their initial vision for the property, and specifically address wetland, soil and other development issues on the corner site and how they affect the "office" goal. In conclusion, Mr. Fritsinger addressed the four major workload issues and how they related to the day-to-day operations and responsibilities of staff. Council directed Staff to continue focusing on these four priorities, and continue to keep the Council updated. e Council and staff discussed the Highway 96 improvement project, which will require additional staff time in the coming months. Mr. Fritsinger mentioned several upcoming meetings, including Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT) regarding the bridge location; Ramsey County regarding revisions to the Arden Manor Mobile Home Park and possible relocation of roadways and frontages; and with Ramsey County Commissioners Bennett and Weissner regarding the relocation of the trail. Mr. Fritsinger reported on his and Mr. Ringwald's recent meeting with Jim Tolaas, Ramsey County Public Works, and the apparent lack of communication on the design of Highway 96 and it's implications for the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Public Works Departments of both the County and City. b. Serviee Recognition Programs Due to the scheduled Council/Staff/Committee Barbeque, Mayor Probst asked that Couneilmembers contact City Administrator Fritsinger directly with their thoughts and comments regarding suggested employee service recognition programs. Councilmembers each commended individual staff on their management of the diverse workloads over the last year. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS North Heights Lutheran ehureh Mayor Probst requested an update from staff on the addition at North Heights Lutheran . Church, and the exterior finish. Community Development Director Ringwald responded that the church had applied for a variance, but the current concrete finish would accept a brick veneer finish as previously approved by staff and City Council. -------- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - SEPTEMBER 15. 1997 4 . Mounds View Hil:h School. Graffiti Issue Mayor Probst updated the Council on his and Public Works Superintendent Stafford's attendance at the recent assembly held by Principal, Karl Brungardt, at Mounds View High School. Mayor Probst remained optimistic that a positive resolution to the continuing graffiti issue could be achieved with ongoing discussions between the student body, residents, City statI and school officials. City Administrator Fritsinger advised Councilmembers that he had spoken to the 1998 Class President, earlier today as she had requested costs for possible restitution by the Class of 1998. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the student was apparently not aware of the cost of the clean-up and manpower involved to-date, and appeared shocked by the figures he provided to her. Human Rights eommittee Mayor Probst advised staff that he would be attending the Minnesota Human Rights Conference, along with the City's Liaison, Sushila Shah. ADJOURN . Mayor Probst adjourned the Council meeting at 6:05 p.m. to host the third annual Council, Committee and Staffbarbeque. .