Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 02-17-1998 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY, 17, 1998 5:00 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 5:05 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Dale Hicks, Beverly Aplikowski, Susan Keim, and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Keim moved and Councilmember Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda for the February 17, 1998 Worksession. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). CITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM . a. Lake Josephine Abatement. Anderson Mr. Ringwald updated the City Council on a potential abatement of nuisance property consisting of two apparently vacant buildings, located on the northeast corner of Lake Josephine, and sought historical information from Council, prior to staff initiating abatement proceedings at this time. Mr. Post advised staff and Councilmembers that the property was not abandoned, and remained an active utility account, but appeared to be uninhabitable property in its current state. Councilmembers and staff concurred that the Council's previous action appeared to have consisted of the property being declared a nuisance, a court injunction being issued by the property owner, then at that point, the file stops with no further correspondence after 1993 as to why the procedure was halted. Council directed staff to proceed with initiation of abatement proceedings. b. 1998 Assessment Rate Mr. Fritsinger requested Council direction regarding the Council's preferred procedure for establishment ofthe 1998 assessment rates. Mr. Fritsinger stated that, historically, the Council had set the rates at the time of the Assessment Hearing, rather than prior to the Hearing. . Discussion items included various assessment practices; actual project cost in relation to -- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY I 7. 1998 2 . projected costs and the effect on the City's budget projections; per foot cost comparisons with neighboring communities; and thc need to continue installation of curb and gutter for stormwater control. Staff was directed to work with the City's consulting engineer to provide information to residents at various future hearings. This information included past rates and the cause for the increase per year in footage costs. This could be used to emphasize to residents the point that waiting for the work to be completed may not be in their best financial interests. Other items would include the history of maintenance on specific streets. Mr. Fritsinger advised Councilmembers that staff and the consulting engineer would have preliminary information available at the Worksession prior to the Assessment Hearing to allow Councilmembers to review any specific unusual proposed assessments. Council directed staff to have the consulting engineer prepare the proposed rates in order to establish the assessment rate for 1998 prior to the actual Assessment Hearing. c. Group Life. Short-Term. and Long-Term Disability Insurance . Mr. Fritsinger reviewed quotes recently received for Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance coverages, per previous Council direction. Due to the pending expiration of the rate quotes, staff sought Council direction on this portion of the City's employee benefit package. Mr. Fritsinger reviewed existing coverage in comparison to proposed coverage, with an estimated maximum cost increase for the City of $4,000 per year total for all non-union employees. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the City would need to provide notice to the Local 49 and propose re-opening the existing contract. Mr. Fritsinger advised Councilmembers that the sick leave/severance components of the proposed plan would be the most complicated issues to be negotiated. Council directed staff to bring the short-term, long-term and life insurance proposal to the February 23, 1998 Council meeting as an action item for consideration. d. Kenna Property Update Ms. Walsh provided a brief update to the Council on the status of the Kenna Park property, and sought direction on whether staff should proceed further in seeking to acquire Fee Title to the property, and possible long-term implications. Councilmember Hicks, City Attorney Filla, and Mr. Tom Mulcahy had each been researching this project. . Discussion items included, the need for the City to have a clear title, as a matter of principle; cost of proceeding with title search and ultimate value of the land; future plans for the property and ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 17. 1998 3 . legality of releasing dedicated park lands; the City's intention for no variances to be issued on the property; status of taxes and property classification; reduction in the Snelling A venue Right -of- Way to make the lots buildable; and the type of action to be taken in acquiring the title. Council directed staff to continue working with Councilmember Hicks in attempting to contact Mr. Kenna for his response and closure on this item. e. AlIiant Techsystems Mr. Fritsinger reviewed a January 29, 1998 letter received from Alliant Techsystems, in response to a February 25, 1997 letter to Alliant from the City inquiring about AlIiant's interest in meeting to explore potential consolidation. Mr. Fritsinger sought direction on the long-term ramification of AlIiant' s interest, and in determining when and if the City was interested in pursuing consolidated Phase II planning efforts for TCAAP. Mr. Fritsinger stated that he was anticipating another letter from Alliant within the next week, detailing more precisely Alliant's intentions. Mayor Probst stated that, contrary to public statements, Alliant had apparently changed their position on their future at TCAAP, following their union negotiations several years ago, and their . ability to pursue outsourcing options. Mayor Probst discussed previous inquiries received by the City from Alliant over the past year, and the City's initial request for Alliant to delay further action for several months due to other pending City priorities. Mayor Probst stated it was clear that AlIiant was again aggressively pursuing future TCAAP planning, and seeking public participation in their restructuring process. Mayor Probst stated that he has suggested to AlIiant that they provide some financial incentives for the City to pursue a consolidated planning effort, but that Alliant has not pursued this avenue to-date. Mayor Probst advised Councilmembers and staff that, since the City is ultimately responsible for fire and police protection, as well as infrastructure improvements at TCAAP, it was imperative that the City maintain an active leadership role. Discussion items included, past and pending legislation regarding the GSA excessing process and research being done by DOD attorneys; Alliant's investment in the process and proposed consolidation; Alliant's environmental responsibilities on TCAAP; excessing and the GSA honoring the City's comprehensive plan; AlIiant's national presence to draw on a broader base for necessary legislation to potentially by-pass the GSA process; whether the City wished to have Alliant represent the City's interests, or seek out independent assistance; potential of Alliant seeking economic development incentives from the State of a neighboring community. Council directed staff to continue discussions with Alliant, with no implied pressure to meet Alliant's imposed deadline of March 3 I, 1998, and to pursue AlIiant's specific financial request . and development of the overall plan for the site. Staff was directed to keep in mind the City's interests in the earliest possible consolidation, the City's expectations and time frame, and methods the City will and will not pursue to achieve these goals. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 17. 1998 4 . f. City Hall Mr. Fritsinger presented an updated preliminary floor plan for the proposed City Hall design and sought Council direction on various issues, including basement expansion, location of the community room, and exterior facade materials. Mr. Fritsinger requested Council's intent for the community room; its purpose and intended uses, inclusion of kitchen facilities and other amenities, potential leasing ofthe space, establishment of the City's identity in the building, and possible relocation to the mezzanine area. Council directed staff to continue plans to fully build out the basement with the community room located in the basement; separate staff restrooms from public restrooms; completion of the mezzanine without partitions as potential future lease space; roughed in kitchen in the community room; additional stairway; and other code requirement issues to be implemented in the revised preliminary plans. CITY ISSUES - LONG TERM . a. Bethel/Hamline SanitarY Sewer Odor Problems Update Mr. Stafford reported on further findings related to the Bethel/Hamline sanitary sewer odors and ongoing discussions with Bethel College staff. Mr. Stafford stated that he, MCES staff, and the City's consulting engineer, Greg Brown, had met on several occasions with Bethel staff, and they have realized it's the college's problem. Mr. Stafford advised Councilmembers that Bethel is currently working with Mr. Ringwald and Mr. Scherbel on a planning case for design of additional student housing, and are reviewing possible solutions in conjunction with this pending construction. Mr. Stafford stated he has had ongoing discussions with affected neighbors, as well as Bethel, and will continue to work toward a solution. Council directed staffto continue pursuing a solution to this ongoing situation. b. County Road F. Renaming of Street Mr. Stafford presented historical information to the Council on a proposed name change for County Road F, as previously directed by Council. Councilmember Aplikowski stated that she had initiated correspondence with those affected by the proposed change, at her expense, and would like the Council to wait for additional responses from the neighborhood. . Staff was directed to notify residents that the Council will be taking action on a name change for County Road F at their March 9, 1998 regular Council meeting, and invite their participation. Mayor Probst directed staff to contact the City of Shoreview regarding the process involved in ------------ ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 17 1998 5 . their renaming of County 0-2 to Tanglewood Drive. c. Council/Department Head Retreat Mr. Fritsinger provided discussion materials for the Council to consider specifics of the 1998 City Council/Department Head Retreat. Discussion items included, possible dates; length of retreat; agenda issues; and facilitator program. Staff was directed to plan the retreat for March 13 and 14, 1998 with staff attending the full day and dinner Friday, and Council and Mr. Fritsinger attending Saturday. Suggested agenda/discussion issues included, follow up from last year's retreat; committee appointment process and task force issues, City Hall construction; Public Works facility financing, planning and cooperation with Ramsey County; disposal of existing property; TCAAP; staff workload issues for 1997; and understanding 1998 priorities. Councilmember Malone and Mayor Probst suggested Council and staff may wish to discuss our . philosophy of government; what the City does, how to alert the public, addressing the two differing opinions of what residents expected from their government as expressed in the 1996 community survey MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1998 Street Imllrovement Proiect Mr. Stafford sought Council direction on whether to pursue a water main cross connection on Stowe Avenue in conjunction with the City of New Brighton and the 1998 Street Improvement project. It was Mr. Stafford's estimate that a cross connection would be a maximum of $4,000. Council directed staff to proceed with this cross connection. Councilmember Keim requested clarification regarding the curb and gutter installation along Stowe Avenue and the cost agreement between New Brighton and Arden Hills. Mayor Probst asked staff if a funding agreement was in place with New Brighton, and Mr. Stafford and Mr. Post responded affirmatively. Council Meetine Attendance . Councilmembers Hicks and Keim informed Mayor Probst they would not be available to attend the February 23, 1998 City Council meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - FEBRUARY 17.1998 6 . All Committee Meeting. Comprehensive Plan Update Councilmember Aplikowski asked if a date had been established for the all committee meeting on the Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Ringwald responded that a tentative date was being considered, possibly the third Wednesday in March. Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department (LJVFD) Councilmember Malone noted that the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department's 1998 Budget requested more funding than the 1997 amount set aside by the City, due to the late submission of the budget. Mr. Malone clarified that the 1997 amount be adhered to; which staff confirmed. Mr. Fritsinger advised Council that he had met with City Attorney Filla and the City of Shoreview to review the first draft of a joint powers agreement with the LJVFD. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the Council would probably be receiving several drafts before a final revision was available for Council action. Gateway Business District (GBD). Coal Unloading Councilmember Malone addressed a recent request regarding proposed open storage of . coal in the Gateway Business District. Mr. Ringwald stated he was having an attorney review the legal ramifications regarding storage in the railroad's right-of-way; allowable uses in the GBD; interstate commerce issues; and other matters. Shoreview Traffic Study Mayor Probst expressed concern regarding various assumptions in a recent Shoreview Traffic Study, stating it basically ignored future development and related traffic issues at TCAAP. Council directed staff to share the City's concerns with the City of Shoreview and, if warranted, bring it to the attention of the 1-35W Corridor Coalition for further study and comment. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Hicks moved and Councilmember Aplikowski seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). . -