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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 12-15-1997 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 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 4:43 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Dale Hicks, Beverly Aplikowski, and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; City Accountant, Terrance Post; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Consulting Engineer, Greg Brown; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. Councilmember Susan Keim arrived at 4:50 p.m., and Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh, attended the meeting between other meetings at which her attendance was required. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Hicks seconded a motion to approve the revised meeting agenda for the December 15, 1997 Worksession, which included the addition of a presentation of a City Hall Preliminary Design by Architectural Alliance. The . motion carried unanimously (4-0). CITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM a. Architectural Alliance, City Hall Preliminary Desil!n City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger, provided an introduction of the preliminary design work being presented by the City's Architect, Peter Vesterholt. Mr. Vesterholt addressed the unique site provided at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) Sunfish Lake property, and advised the Council and staff that the design was only for architectural consideration at this time, and that no engineering work had been completed yet. Mr. Vesterholt introduced his associates, Mr. Tom D' Angelo, and Ms. Jean Sterner, who participated in the presentation. Mr. D' Angelo discussed site amenities, drainage issues, visibility from Highway 96 and Hamline Avenue, the natural state of the site, re-use of the existing driveway, and future site development issues. Ms. Sterner led a discussion of the models provided for review and consideration. Discussion items included, placement of private offices in the center of the floor plan to allow more window availability; basement build out and cost options; exterior options; functional aspects ofthe plan, possible lease alternatives to generate revenue; exterior . location of mechanical equipment; actual footprint of building and land required (3 acres for access and building); driveway location and development; and limiting impact on the ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 15. 1997 2 6 area to preserve its natural state. Mr. Vesterholt sought additional direction from the City Council, stating this was simply the schematic design. Allowing for summer construction start, he and his statI would need direction by mid-January at the latest to proceed with design development, construction documents, bids, and construction start in Mayor June of 1998 if possible, pending site acquisition. Mr. Vesterholt stated there would still be some winter construction required, with an eight (8) month construction schedule being conservative. Greg Brown, the City's consulting engineer with BRW, Inc. suggested that Rice Creek Watershed District be consulted regarding the storm water run-off requirements ofthe northeast quadrant of Hamline/Highway 96. Mr. Fritsinger stated Mr. BroWll and Mr. Stafford would be meeting in the very near future to discuss the location of the utilities in the area. Mayor Probst stated that, in numerous discussions with the National Guard, there appeared to be no site contamination in the immediate area to consider in the planning . staged, and that only the relocation of the fence appeared to be an item for discussion and consideration. Councilmember Malone requested that Mr. Vesterholt provide staff with 8-112" x II" floor plans to be forwarded to the City Council for their review. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed concern regarding the size of the offices, and the necessity of ensuring they were functional for staff. Mayor Probst addressed the seating area of the Council Chambers (50), and added that the lobby area can serve as overflow space if necessary. b. Hi~hway 96 Discussion with MnDOT and Ramsey County representatives Jim Tolaas, Ramsey County Public Works, Bob Brown, MnDOT State Aid Engineer, and Gary Erickson, BRW, Inc., consulting engineer for Ramsey County, were in attendance to review some of the broader issues related to the Highway 96 and Highway 10 intersection. This additional meeting had heen requested as a follow up to previous meetings with County representatives to review issues related to the broader and future long-range transportation planning for Arden Hills and the surrounding communities. Mr. Erickson had prepared three configurations for the grade/interchange locations of Highways 10 and 96, and TCAAP access, and their related impacts. . Discussion items included, location of traffic signals; single-point diamond access; completion of Highway 118 from Highway 610 to 1-35W to replace the existing Highway 10; existing and projected traffic volumes on I-35W; long-range plans by MnDOT to ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 15. 1997 3 , work on the interchange at 1-694 and Snelling A venue; the interchange at 1-694 and I- 35E; adding an additional lane to I-35W as far south as Highway 10; and TCAAP development and impact. Mr. Brown stated these concepts, as presented by Mr. Tolaas and Mr. Erickson provided a good visual of possibilities, but it was hard to predict the future regarding the interchange at Highways 10 and 96. Mr. Brown stated MnDOT was not asking the City to solve their problems, but it was incumbent on all of us as public entities to consider long-term development, such as TCAAP. Mr. Fritsinger asked Mr. Brown what Mn/DOT was planning as far as impact on TCAAP development with their completion of Highway I 18, specifically the impacts on County Roads I, H, at the "spaghetti junction." Mr. Brown responded that MnDOT has not studied those transportation impacts yet. Mayor Probst sought Mr. Brown's interpretation of MnDOT's immediate and future response to cost-sharing on the project with Ramsey County and the City on the interchange and land acquisition. . Mr. Brown was not firm in his commitment to any direction currently under consideration by the County or the City, and stated those issues would need to be studied by MnDOT. Further discussion ensued regarding the timing of the project to facilitate design work by Ramsey County; availability offunds; requested support of MnDOT in consideration of the City and County taking time to relieve pressure on the larger transportation area and not isolating the issue in Arden Hills. Mr. Brown stated that the bigger picture certainly made the investment more attractive and the overall package becomes more attractive, but was unwilling to commit to any study of these plans. Mayor Probst suggested that, with the City needing to consider the 1-35W and Highway 96 interchange now while Highway 96 is being reconstructed through Arden Hills, MnDOT participation was imperative to the City and County as soon as possible. Mayor Probst requested that MnDOT consider other options for connections, both short-term and long-term. Mr. Brown reiterated that it was the City's option. - Mayor Probst asked Mr. Brown if MnDOT had planning dollars to spend, and suggested that the City was ready to do this planning immediately for the future of the community and surrounding transportation needs. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 15. 1997 4 . Mr. Brown committed to work with Ramsey County to pursue future planning. Additional discussion items included, pedestrian and bike trail issues; additional traffic on Lexington and Hamline Avenues; and COUllty Road H-2. Mayor Probst again stated the reason for this meeting request, stating the City doesn't want to lost their existing multi-directional access to Highway 10 due to a grade separation, and questioned Mr. Brown on his suggestions on how the City should proceed. Mr. Brown acknowledged Mayor Probst's purpose for the meeting, and stated he thought the City and County should move ahead with their options to provide such input to MnDOT regarding whether or not to pursue a grade separation, or leave the plan as is. Mr. Brown suggested that the City consider maximum opportunity with minimum waste. After further discussion, Council directed staff to seek more information by directing the City's independent engineer to review short and long-term considerations, cost implications, broader land use issues, and provide this information to the Council at the - January Worksession. Some discussion took place regarding seeking input from residents at the Town Hall meeting. Mr. Tolaas responded that he would wait for additional City input prior to proceeding with one of the three designs currently under consideration. c. Codification. Chapters 1 - 10 Mr. Fritsinger introduced review of the city code chapters being revised, and suggested the Council use his memorandum as a starting point to begin their second review of as many chapters as time allowed for that evening. Mr. Fritsinger stated he would like to review additional chapters at the January Worksession, reserving February for the final draft's review and return the draft to the LMC for final preparation. Mr. Fritsinger reviewed and received Council and staff comments on Chapters I through 3 of the Code. ADJOURN MOTION: Keim moved and I-licks seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ,