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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 03-16-1998 . '. . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1998 4:45 P.M. - ARMY RESERVE CENTER, 4655 LEXINGTON AVENUE NORTH CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 5: 15 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Dale Hicks, Beverly Aplikowski, Susan Keirn, and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; City Accountant, Terry Post; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Keirn moved and Councilmember Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda for the March 16, 1998 Worksession. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). CITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM a. Hwy. 96/Hwy. 10 Traffic Study The City's consulting engineer, Greg Brown ofBRW, Inc., along with Tony Heppelmann of BRW, Inc., the firm's traffic and transportation engineer presented a study the Highway 96/Highway 10 interchange. Mr. Brown and Mr. Heppelmann presented various intersection configurations for the Highway 96 and 10 interchange and related short and long-term impacts. The scope of the study and discussion included evaluation of existing traffic patterns; traffic modeling of alternative scenarios; levels of access; pedestrian movements and access; Gateway Boulevard alignment; existing Highway to accesses; Gateway Business District access; storm drainage; ramp metering and HOV facilities; TCAAP property acquisition; and a summary of benefits, property acquisitions, and cost implications of each alternative. Mr. Ringwald pointed out several positive aspects of Layout No.2, consisting of a grade separated interchange, with north access, and suggested the Council may wish to direct staff and engineers to review various pending MnDOT traffic projects and their implications to a proposed new interchange. Mr. Ringwald questioned whether the proposed interchange in Layout No.2 could provide enough capacity to accommodate future traffic requirements from the Gateway Business District (GBD), given that access to southbound Highway to was eliminated. Mr. Heppelman confirmed that it would have sufficient capacity. . -. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MARCH 16. 1998 2 Mr. Ringwald suggested that, with this layout, it appeared to serve the needs of the City, Ramsey County, and MnDOT equally well, and should be considered a negotiating point with those agencies. Mr. Fritsinger reminded Councilmembers that the proposed ramp to the north through TCAAP property is a long-term venture. Mr. Brown suggested a reverse loop would be an alternative, should the City not be able to acquire needed TCAAP property in a timely fashion. Mr. Fritsinger referred to the City of Shoreview's recent traffic study regarding the University of Minnesota property. Mr. Fritsinger specifically referred to County Road I, and the study's assumption of no development occurring on the TCAAP site. Mr. Fritsinger stated that staff had requested a meeting with the City of Shoreview to review various assumptions of the traffic study. Further discussion included the minimum alternative suggested by BRW, and which alternative would better serve the City's short and long-term traffic needs. It was the consensus of Councilmembers and staff that a grade separation, as presented in Layout No.2, would better serve the City, and resolve several intersections problems. Mr. Brown pointed out that, with Layout No.2, some ponding issues in the SE quadrant need to be addressed. Staff was directed to initiate discussions with Ramsey County and MnDOT, suggesting Layout No.2 as the City's minimum request, accelerating the schedule on an I-35W bridge, future interchange proposals and requirements at Gateway Boulevard; and to request definition of the long-term intentions of MnDot regarding the future functions of Highway 10 and the I-35W corridor. Mayor Probst revised the order of the agenda to accommodate the consultants present for the City Hall presentation. d. City Hall Mr. Fritsinger reviewed various revisions to the proposed City Hall design process since the last time this topic was brought before the Council. Jeanne Sterner and Tom Deangelo, of the Architectural Alliance, reviewed revised preliminary building design and cost estimates. Discussion items included, a conservative estimate of the proposed project budget as it relates to the latest preliminary design; stormwater ponding requirements; the agreement by Ramsey County for a full curb cut and intersection on Highway 96; and design changes in the lower level. Ms. Sterner stated that the estimated budget of $1.9 million detail represented a building design of 16, I 05 square feet. Since this budget had been initially formulated, there had been elimination of additional square footage. The revised preliminary design dated March 16, 1998, was for a building of approximately 14,900 square feet. This reduction has been achieved by moving the employee lunchroom to the first floor, and the lower level being constructed as all open space, ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MARCH 16.1998 3 . with the exception ofthe vault and rough in restrooms. Ms. Sterner stated that the initial footprint of the building remains at approximately 9,800 square feet. Mayor Probst stated that, in an effort to keep the City Council's public commitment to stay on track with the budget, the lower level may need to remain as raw space, programmed for future modifications, rather than including a community room at this time. It was the consensus of the Council that, with recent discussions regarding staffing levels, the mezzanine area to be used immediately be completed, with the remainder of that level receiving a minimum of drywall and paint until further use is determined. It was the consensus ofthe Council regarding the lower level to provide finished out bathrooms, inexpensive floor treatments, vault, painted walls, future community space, and bid additional amenities as an alternate. Consensus among Councilmembers was that, should the bids come in more competitively than expected, more alternates could be included. The City Council also agreed that the fireplace will remain. The mechanical systems should be reviewed in order to reduce costs for this item. Mr. Fritsinger stated he would be in contact with Architectural Alliance staff following . discussions regarding staffing proposals to be discussed later that evening. Mayor Probst left the meeting at 6:45 p.m., turning the meeting over to Acting Mayor, Dale Hicks. b. Assessments. 1998 Street Imvrovement Project 1. Interest Rate Mr. Post reviewed assessment rates from a City-historic and statutory basis. He stated that the City Council needed to consider, since the City generally internally finances these projects, that the City should receive a comparable yield as those funds available for investment by the City. Mr. Post suggested several options for the Council to consider. After further discussion, staff was directed to prepare a resolution for Council consideration at the March 30, 1998 City Council meeting, with an interest rate at the Federal Reserve ten year constant maturity for the week ended March 25, 1998, plus one Percent (1.0%) with an upper cap at eight percent (8%) and a lower cap at six percent (6%). 2. Alternative Roll . Previously, the City Council had directed staff to prepare several alternate assessment rolls for their consideration. . . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MARCH 16. 1998 4 Mr. Post reviewed various alternative rolls, including a buy down rate with additional revenue; capping the assessment at a 3.5% offair market value maximum; and greater use of the Surface Water Management (SWM) utility. Council directed staff and the City's consulting engineer, to prepare a resolution for Council consideration at their March 30, 1998 meeting, amending previous action and separating out the portion of the stormsewer cost that is not curb and gutter, and determine the impact on the proposed reconstruction assessment rate. 3. Unusual Lots Mr. Brown, consulting engineer, reviewed unique lot configurations and situations identified in the 1998 Street Improvement project area, for Council information prior to the March 30, 1998 Public Hearing. c. Retreat Review - Planning with Budget Considerations. etc. Pending further review by staff of priorities and goals established by the City Council at their recent Retreat, Mr. Fritsinger had no items to discuss at this time. e. Employee Insurance Staff had no additional information related to the employee insurance program at this time. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS City Hall. Temporary Facilities Mr. Fritsinger briefly reviewed various items for the Council to consider at their March 30, 1998 meeting regarding the possibility ofleasing temporary facilities, public relation requirements, accessability issues, and other considerations. Indenendent School District No. 621. Maintenance Request Ms. Walsh reported that the City had received a request from I.S.D. No. 621 for our providing outsourcing services to them for routine maintenance of some of their athletic facilities. Mr. Fritsinger stated the City would be cautiously considering this request as it relates to the City's budget and manpower requirements. Cable Franchise Fee Mr. Post reported that the City had received payment from Media One for 1997 cable franchise fees. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MARCH 16. 1998 5 . Public Works Items Mr. Stafford reported various happenings in the Public Works Department, including installation of a majority of the commerciallindustrial meters; and the need to pursue another location for the City's fill materials, with the development of the Gateway Business area. Community Development Mr. Ringwald reported that he had been working with a party on the potential development of the County E-2 and Cleveland A venue corner for a possible single story, walk out office building. Retreat Comments Councilmember Aplikowski commented that the Retreat had been helpful, but she would like to see the City Council and Department Heads discuss these issues more often. Mr. Fritsinger suggested the Council and staff could pursue two Worksessions each year that are used specifically for "brainstorming" sessions. . Further discussion included possibly planning several Saturday half-days during the year. ADJOURN MOTION: Council member Malone moved and Councilmember Keirn seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). .