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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 10-20-1997 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1997 4:45 P.M. - ARMY RESERVE CENTER, 4655 LEXINGTON A VENUE NORTH CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 4:45 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Dale Hicks, Susan Keim and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; City Accountant, Terrance Post; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. Councilmember Aplikowski arrived at 4:55 p.m. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Malone moved and Keirn seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda for the October 20, 1997 Worksession. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). . CITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM 1998 Budget. Economic Develoomeot Authority (EDA) Budget Funding Discussion a. Mr. Post summarized the draft 1998 EDA budget with balance sheet and income statement schedules as prepared by staff. Mr. Post reviewed the five related funds created within the City's accounting system to accommodate various financial transactions of the EDA Those funds included a General Activities Fund (No. 701); Revolving Business Loan Fund (No. 702); Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District No. I Fund No. 703 (Round Lake Housing); TIF District No.2 Fund No. 704 (Round Lake Office); and TIF District No.3 Fund No. 705 (Cottage Villas Apartments). The 1998 EDA Budget is anticipated to come before the City Council for formal adoption before the December 29, 1997 regular meeting. b. Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS). Joint Powers Al!reement Mr. Fritsinger requested clarification from the City Council regarding the City's participation in the proposed Northwest Youth and Family Services (NYFS) Joint Powers Agreement. The Council, at its October 14, 1997 meeting, did not take action on a request for participation in the NYFS Joint Powers Agreement. The Council directed staff to advise the NYFS that City funding would continue as provided through contributions received from charitable gambling organizations on . behalf of the City as in the past, with no formal City participation in the proposed Joint Powers Agreement. -.-- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - OCTOBER 20.1997 2 . CITY ISSUES - LONG TERM a. I-35W Corridor Coalition Update, Mayor Probst Mayor Probst provided an update on the various activities of the I-35W Corridor Coalition. Mayor Probst stated that the Coalition project had been a fairly significant success story to-date, with an estimated $425,000 in grant funds committed to various Coalition projects, with the GIS, involvement in the Minnesota Real Estate Journal for commercial property listings, and transportation study activities the most significant and far-reaching ventures thus far. Mayor Probst commended City staff, specifically Mr. Ringwald, for the significant role he has played in this group, and for his initiative in developing specific goals and projects for the Coalition. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the Coalition had been in existence for approximately one year, and the Community Development Directors had put together unique and progressive plans. Mr. Fritsinger stated that it would be interesting to see how effective the Coalition remained in the future, considering how it had developed from the initial concept he and . area City Administrators and Managers had envisioned. Mr. Ringwald stated the existence of the Coalition had provided some spin-off benefits by providing access to other agencies and their staff expertise. Mr. Ringwald gave an example of his recent meetings with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and their design people regarding the long-term implications and ramifications of their transportation plans to the corridor communities, and broader issues in the area. Councilmember Malone commended Mayor Probst, Mr. Fritsinger and Mr. Ringwald for their vision and leadership to this group. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Probst recessed the Council Worksession at 5:35 p.m. for a closed Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. RECONVENED WORKSESSION Mayor Probst reconvened the regular Council Worksession at 6:00 p.m. and continued with the business at hand. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - OCTOBER 20. 1997 3 . MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Proclamation Request Mayor Probst advised Councilmembers of a request for a proclamation declaring November I, 1997 as "Celebration of Literacy Day" in Arden Hills. It was the consensus of the Council to include this proclamation as part of the October 27, 1997 City Council agenda. Consulting Engineers Mayor Probst made reference to a thank you letter received from one of those firms interviewed recently by the Council when reviewing consulting engineering firms. Mayor Probst expressed his appreciation upon receipt of this letter, and the professionalism displayed by the firm. City Logo Mayor Probst advised Councilmembers that he and Councilmember Malone had met to discuss the City's current logo and reviewed its history. Mayor Probst stated that, with the Highway 96 construction, pending TCAAP redevelopment, a new City Hall within . six to eight months of construction, and other events, it seemed like an opportune time to revisit the existing logo, discuss the issues involved, and consider identifying a new image for the City. Staff was directed to provide an opportunity at the November 17, 1997 Council Worksession for Councilmember Malone to review the history and open further discussion. Committee Appointments Councilmember Aplikowski asked the Mayor's intent regarding 1998 committee appointments, and whether it was necessary for the Couneil to hear from each committee as done in the past since the Council had been regularly receiving copies of each committees' minutes. It was the consensus ofthe Council to direct staff to prepare a letter acknowledging the committees, and their work over the past year. RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONER. TONY BENNETT At 6:10 p.m., Mayor Probst welcomed Ramsey County, District I Commissioner Tony Bennett and Ramsey County staff including, Joe Murphy (Aide to Commissioner Bennett); Jim Tolaas (Public Works Department), Greg Mack and Larry Holmberg (Parks & Recreation Department). . Highway 96/Lexington Avenue Intersection Commissioner Bennett opened the discussion by advising the Council that, in an effort to ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - OCTOBER 20. 1997 4 . clear some of the traffic congestion along Highway 96 at Lexington Avenue N, the County had placed "No Left Turn" arrow signs at the intersections and that it appeared to be helping the traffic flow considerably. Highwav 96 Trail Relocation Mayor Probst advised Commissioner Bennett that they had requested his attendance at the meeting to specifically address the City's concerns on the proposed trail alignment along Highway 96, and to review the proposed revised timetable for reconstruction of Highway 96. Mayor Probst opened the discussion on the trail relocation, expressing his frustrations with the apparent unwillingness of Ramsey County staff to discuss and consider alternate proposals. Mayor Probst stated that, considering safety issues alone, the current Ramsey County trail proposal was not acceptable to the City. Mayor Probst expressed his hopes that both parties could explore options, find a logical and safe trail location that would service Arden Hills, Ranlsey County, and surrounding communities, and allow all parties to move forward on a more amicable footing. . Extensive discussion took place regarding ISTEA funding availability; curb and grade separations and related safety issues; interchanges and a possible flyover bridge at the Highway I a/Highway 96 intersection; future TCAAP redevelopment; park and trail access with Mounds View, New Brighton and Shoreview; location of proposed frontage roads; Gateway Business District development and increased traffic volume; buffer strip properties to be purchased by Ramsey County at Arden Manor Mobile Home Park; trail location on the north or south side of Highway 96; proximity of trial for east/west access along Old Highway 8; and existing trail system stubs. Mayor Probst reminded Commissioner Bennett and County staff of the long-term benefits to Ramsey County with connection oftrails at Tony Schmidt Park to Long Lake Park. Mr. Ringwald advised that a recent Highway 8 Corridor study independently completed by the City of New Brighton had proposed a connection at Long Lake Park, in a location similar to that proposed by the City of Arden Hills. Mayor Probst also reminded those present of the TCAAP Reutilization Committee's recommendations that a trail would be incorporated along the west side of the TCAAP property. As discussion continued, Mr. Fritsinger reminded Commissioner Bennett and County representatives that the City was not looking for Ramsey County to incur additional costs, . but to consider incorporating the location of the trail into long-range planning for the area. Mr. Fritsinger and Mr. Ringwald concurred that long-range planning using an alternate route, as suggested by the City's alternate trail location, would provide ------ ------- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - OCTOBER 20. 1997 5 . additional access to a significant employment base while addressing safety issue as well. Mayor Probst reiterated that the City was seeking participation from Ramsey County staff to consider the more inclusive regional picture, and cooperatively exploring the options available to find the best possible alternatives. With a continuing lack of consensus between City and County representatives, Mayor Probst terminated the discussion on the trail relocation. Hi~hway 96 Reconstruction Timetable Mayor Probst requested an update on the timing of the Arden Hills' portion of the Highway 96 Reconstruction project. Mr. Tolaas responded that the Highway 10 to Highway 8 portion of the project was still "optimistically" slated for 1999 work, with design work scheduled for completion late in 1998. Mr. T olaas anticipated that the Highway 10 to Lexington A venue portion would take place two years after the first portion, in 2001. Mr. Tolaas stated that funding was the biggest issue, but was confident the state would continue to work cooperatively with . Ramsey County and the City in completion of the project. Conclusion Mayor Probst thanked Commissioner Bennett and County staff representatives for their attendance, and suggested that a future meeting be held with additional information available from the City and County. Commissioner Bemlett stated that the Cities of Mounds View and New Brighton should be included in a future meeting, or that their input should be sought prior to such meeting. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Armv Reserve Center Councilmcmber Keim expressed her concerns regarding the lack of communication with the Reserve Center's Facilities Coordinator, and the limitations this placed on some activities at the Center. Mr. Fritsinger responded that this was an ongoing problem. ProDosed FCC Legislation Staff was directed by Council to proceed with the City's commitment to and $250 fee for participating in opposition to proposed FCC Legislation, as reviewed and recommended by Councilmember Malone. Local.Jurisdiction over Plannin~ & Zoning Issues . Staff was directed to draft a letter to Congressman Vento, and our senators regarding the City's opposition to planning and zoning cases being determined in District Court. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - OCTOBER 20. 1997 6 . Meeting Attendance Councilmember Hicks advised Mayor Probst that he would be unable to attend the October 27, 1997 City Council Meeting. "Lindey's Corner" Park and Park Dedication Area Councilmember Hicks suggested the Parks & Recreation Department consider renaming of the "Lindey's Comer" park at the intersection of Old Snelling Avenue and County Road E. Councilmember Hicks also suggested the City bring elosure to the purchase ofthe property located diagonally across from the park, and suggested that Tom Mulcahy be approached to volunteer his expertise in finalizing the matter. Councilmember Hicks will contact Mr. Mulcahy to discuss this issue with Ms. Walsh. It was the consensus of the Council that, if and when closure is possible, the City consider selling this piece of property. ADJOURN . MOTION: Malone moved and Keim seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . -----