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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 05-18-1998 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, MAY 18, 1998 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 4:55 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Dale Hicks and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; City Accountant, Terrance Post; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. Councilmember Aplikowski arrived at 4:56 p.m. and Councilmember Keim arrived at 4:57 p.m. Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh arrived at 5: 15 p.m. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Hicks seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda for the May 18, 1998 Worksession. The motion carried unanimously (3-0). . CITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM a. 1999 Budget. CIP Review bv De\>artment City Administrator Fritsinger introduced the draft proposed 1999 capital budget summary as prepared by department, and City Accountant Post reviewed the various functional items. Discussion items included City hall photo copier replacement/leasing and the possible need for two machines; City Hall construction; maintenance facility design, planning and construction; proposed monument sign; sewer vacuum unit; maintenance facility fencing; various proposed street construction projects; Cleveland A venue bridge reconstruction and proposed cost-sharing with the City of New Brighton; remote residential meter installation and manpower requirements for this project; drainage at Arden Manor Mobile Home Park as it affects upkeep of the dedicated park area; and pending railroad property acquisition in the Gateway Business District. Ms. Walsh explained she would have a five-year Park Fund capital plan available at a future Council Worksession following input from the Parks and Recreation Commission at their upcoming meeting. Further discussion included the Economic Development Authority, Tax Increment Financing revenues, and property acquisition; levy limits yet to be established; Ramsey County Sheriff s Department budget; the fact that no reconstruction work was scheduled for 1999 in conjunction . with the Pavement Management Plan and engineering recommendations on various streets. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY 18 1998 2 . It was the consensus of the Councilmembers that timely notice be given to residents of future street improvements regarding whether or not their street is scheduled for reconstruction in 1999, or will be scheduled in 2000. Staff was directed to continue fine tuning the first cut ofthe CIP as it relates to the 1999 Budget preparation. Staff was further directed to work with the City Engineer to estimate cost and design aspects of drainage corrections at the park located in the Arden Manor Mobile Home Park. b. Ordinance Revision for Utility Billings Mr. Post discussed potential changes to Arden Hills City Code 28-57 related to a change in utility billings. Staff was recommending that, with new meters being installed, City code be revised to accommodate staggered utility billings to accommodate manpower resources and cash flow, and the procedure for application oflate charges be revised. . Staff was directed to proceed accordingly, and prepare an ordinance for Council action. CITY ISSUES - LONG TERM Mr. Fritsinger informed Councilmembers that, due to the storm-related clean up in Shoreview, representatives of the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department were unable to attend tonight's Worksession as previously scheduled. The Fire Department's presentation was tentatively rescheduled for the June, 1998 Worksession. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Storm Damage. City of Shoreview Mr. Fritsinger stated he had been in continual contact with City of Shoreview officials since the storm on Friday, May 15th, and had attended their emergency management meeting Saturday morning, May 16th. Mr. Fritsinger informed Councilmembers that Arden Hills was providing manpower and equipment resources from the City's Public Works and Parks Departments, along with services being provided by Mr. Scherbel, the City's Building Official. Public Works Department Mr. Stafford further reported on assistance being provided for storm damage clean up in the City . of Shore view. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY 18. 1998 3 . Comprehensive Plan Ulldate Mr. Fritsinger reminded Councilmembers of the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 20t", and encouraged City Council members to attend and provide input. City Hall Security System Mr. Fritsinger provided information on the City Hall security system, as prepared by Mr. Stafford. Councilmember Contact Mr. Fritsinger requested clarification regarding the preferred contact numbers to be given residents by way of an upcoming issue ofthe City's newsletter. Councilmembers Aplikowski and Malone, and Mayor Probst indicated they could be contacted at their place of business. Councilmember Comments . Councilmember Hicks stated he appreciated the staff response to Ms. Tolbert's letter for the record. Councilmember Aplikowski indicated she would be unable to attend the June 29th and July 13th Council meetings due to her impending surgery. Councilmember Malone indicated he would be unable to attend the June 8th Council meeting. Midwest Asnhalt Paving Settlement Mayor Probst directed staff to construct a letter to be sent to Howard R. Green in an attempt to advise the City's former engineer that the City has reached closure on the County Road F construction project, suggesting they may wish to participate in a financial capacity. TCAAP Mayor Probst suggested the Council begin to establish a priority list for various projects related to TCAAP to determine how Councilmembers wished to approach specific projects. Mayor Probst addressed outstanding issues including, City Hall site lease; a joint maintenance facility; Highway 96 construction from Lexington Avenue to Highway 8; the Highway 10 and 96 . and I-35W and Highway 96 interchanges and respective scheduling; current residents and future development near the Highways 10 and 96 interchange; recent building demolition and pending residential development; retrocession; County Road I development; City of Shoreview ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY 18. 1998 4 . discussions and Wispark Development; joint athletic facilities; Alliant Techsystems and their proposed consolidation; and utilities (water, sewer, treatment plants, etc.). Mayor Probst stated that, since all the issues were inter-related, the Council needed to determine from a policy standpoint which items were a priority to provide direction to staff. Mr. Fritsinger suggested that time be allotted at the June 15th Worksession to discuss those items in depth, as the issues related to recent Retreat discussions, the Associate Planner position coming on board, and Kevin's new role as Assistant to the City Administrator and project status. It was the consensus of the staff that with the reorganization of staff, more time and focus would be available for the City to become more aggressive in TCAAP issues. Council Vacancy With the upcoming change of residency of Councilmember Hicks, discussion ensued regarding the process Councilmembers wished to pursue in appointing a successor to fill his term until the November, 1998 General Election. . It was the consensus of the Council, and staff was directed, to prepare advertising and applications for public notice, with Councilmembers making the appointment upon the written resignation of Councilmember Hicks. It was anticipated that Councilmember Hicks would resign the end of June, with the appointee taking office July I '" to allow adequate time for advertising, notice and filling ofthe vacancy. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she would prefer to have Councilmember Hicks stay on the Council as long as possible, and then have a four-member Council until the General Election. It was the consensus of remaining Councilmembers that a full, fivc-member Council was needed. Mavor Comments Mayor Probst stated he sees the City becoming more involved in future school board issues, with the school board looking to the City for leadership on various issues. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Hicks seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). .