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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 10-19-1998 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, OCTOBER 19,1998 4:45 P.M. - CITY HALL, 4364 WEST ROUND LAKE ROAD CALI, TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Acting Mayor Paul Malone called to order the City Council Worksession at 4:50 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Susan Keim, and Gregg Larson; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Assistant to the City Administrator, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Director, Dwayne Stafford; City Accountant, Terrance Post; and Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell. Mayor Probst arrived at 4:53 p.m. DISCUSSION ITEMS C. Public Safety Commission, Emer~eucy Preparedness Plan The Public Safety Commission Chairperson, John Tholen, and Mr. Stafford reviewed the draft Emergency Operations Plan with the City Council. The Council was asked to provide feedback on the Plan. Mr. Tholen stated that a more up-to-date draft would be forthcoming, which included . suggestions made after an initial review by the Public Safety Commission. Several key issues for Council and staff consideration included: . Appointment of the City's official Emergency Management Director . City designated resources . Available and appropriate communication devices . Location of command/operation center . Level of services City anticipates providing during an emergency . Political and administrative succession Other items of discussion were amending Chapter 7 of the Municipal Code once the Plan is adopted; availability of emergency generator(s); National Guard participation for equipment and facilities; possible emergency housing options; commitment rcgarding debris and/or tree removal and possible collection points; staging areas; emergency communications; emergency purchase capabilities; assistance of other communities; involvement of Ramsey County Sheriffs Department and their reserve units; emergency notification protocol of Ramsey County Dispatch service; and immediatc response time of staff living out of the community; Mr. Tholen also reiterated the Public Safety Commission's concern for a backup power supply for the new City Hall. It was fhe consensus that the plan address the immediate issues of public safety and street . accessibility, and the City's involvement would be determined depending on the nature of the disaster. Staff was directed to coordinate the flow chart with Mr. Tholen and the Public Safety ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSFSSrON - OCTOBER 19 199R 2 . Commission and continue to fine tune the emergency operations plan. D. Naee:ele/Gateway Business District (GBD) Development Mr. Ringwald presented information to the City Council related to the futUTe development phases for the remainder of the Gateway area and how this development may affect the resulting design of Round Lake Road. Specifically, staff was requesting that the Council review its policy on the development of the area. Discussion items included various land use issues; transportation studies and impacts on the proposed road improvements to Round Lake Road; and financial ramifications. The City Council re-affirnled its support for a planned office development and directed staff to proceed with related roadway improvements in the Gateway Business District. The COllncil indicated that further discussion was needed regarding the level of roadway improvements. B. Maintenance Facility Recommendations Mr. Post opened the discussion that came out of a joint meeting between the Finance Committee . and Public Safety Commission on October 15th regarding a new maintenance facility. The result of this joint meeting was their adoption of two resolutions at the October 15th meeting to be presented to the City Council as follows: 1. "Be it resolved that a task force be established to evaluate and recommend to the City Council options for a public works (maintenance) facility." 2. "We, the joint Finance and Public Safety Commissions, recommend that the maintenance facility be given the same priority as that given to the City Hall, and that funding options be discussed by the Finance Committee." Chuck Mertensotto, Chairperson of the Finance Committee; and Craig Wilson, representing the Public Safety Commission were present to discuss these recommendations, and requested that the Council establish a Task Force to keep the maintenance facility readily in front ofthe public and Council. Mr. Mertensotto stated that four current committee/commission members had volunteered to serve on this proposed Task Force; Craig Wilson, Roger Aiken, Lois Rem, and Kevin Patty. Discussion items included the existing maintenance facilities; property development options for this City-owned property; salt/sand storage options; availability ofthe arsenal site; potential participants in a joint facility and their level of participation; the 1992 needs study completed on . the existing facility; other sites and/or possible leasing options; the recent OSHA inspections of the existing facility; and timing concerns. Mayor Probst reminded Councilmembers and staff that this issue had been discussed at the 1998 ARDEN HlLLS CITY COlfNClL WORK SESSION -OCTOBER 19 1998 , 1 . City CouncillDepartment Head Retreat, but was not elevated to a priority level due to staff time constraints. Councilmember Aplikowski suggested that several of the City's existing committees (i.e., Finance and Public Safety) could review the needs study with no additional time commitment by staff, or no creation of an additional Task Force. Councilmember Larson requested that the issue not be dropped, but discussions continue in a deliberate fashion. Staff was dirccted to distribute the 1992 needs study to the Council for their review, with further discussion to be held at the November 16, 1998 Worksession. At that time, the Cowlcil could determine if appointment of the proposed Task Force was timely, or if more staff research and determination of fundamental needs was required. Committce representatives were invited to attend the Worksession to allow all parties an opportunity to participate in the discussion. A. Communications 1. Recreation Guide Desir;o Chanr;es . Mr. Pritsinger reviewed the proposed dcsign revisions to the City's quarterly Recreation Guide. After discussion, staff was directed to proceed with the proposed revisions as outlined in Tracy Pctersen's memorandum dated October 6, 1998. Mayor Probst expressed some concern regarding proposed changes prior to redesign of the City's logo. It was the consensus ofthe Council that these items could be addressed at a later date. 2. Arden Hills Notes. City Newsletter Discussion Several Councilmembers had requested time to discuss the current status of the Arden Hills Notes City Newsletter and the Newsletter Committee. Councilmember Keim expressed her concern regarding the content of the City newsletter, citing the City Hall facility as an example. Councilrnember Keim suggested that perhaps committee members actually write articles for the newsletter based on current City activities. Councilmember Larson expressed concern about the timing of the newsletter and how dated the information becomes. Mayor Probst staled tbat in lhe past, the newsletter was published quarterly, but now with monthly publication, it better served communication with residents. . Mr. Post suggested the Council may wish to consider purchasing a block of space from the City's official newspaper, and submit a bi-weekly update for public information, which would address the timeliness concerns. ARDEN HI! [.S CITY CO! INCIl. WORKSESSION - OCTOBER 19 1991; 4 . Councilrnember Keirn reiterated that it was staffs duty to provide the City Council's position in the newsletter, and emphasized that it was important to provide the most accurate information possible to residents. The Council noted that the last newsletter was very informative and that the committee should strive to be as informative as possible on issues of importance to the community. MISCFI.LANEOUS ITEMS Councilmernber Malone reviewed legislative policies being recommended by the AMM. Staff was directed to place this item on the October 26th Council agcnda for discussion. Councilmember Aplikowski reminded the City Council ofthe November 12, 1998 AMM policy adoption meeting; and of the Quad Ice Arena grand opening on October 24, 1998. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Coul1cilmember Keirn seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. The motion carried . unanimously (5-0). .