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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 10-26-1998 MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL MEETING . OCTOBER 26,1998 7:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALI. TO ORDERIROLL CALL Pursuant to duc call and noticc thcrcof, Mayor Dcnnis Probst callcd to order thc rcgular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Prescnt: Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Susan Keim, Gregg Larson and Paul Malone. Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Assistant to the City Administrator, Kevin Ringwald; City Accountant, Terrance Post; Associate Planner Nancy Randall; City Engineer, Greg Brown, BRW; and Recording Secretary, Lori Rolfson. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Aplikowski moved and Councilmember Keim secondcd a motion . to adopt the agenda for the October 26, 1998, regular City Council meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROVE MINUTES A. October 13, 1998 Regular Council Meeting B. October 19, 1998 Council Worksession Councilmember Malone indicatcd the following changes to the October 13, 1998 City Council Meeting: Page one, fourth paragraph from the bottom, the word "incorrect" should be "correct." Page one, last paragraph, should read "since Councilmember Keim believes the statement is wrong, it should be stricken." Page thirteen, last paragraph, first line, the words "how to lead" should be changed to "what to suggest to." Same paragraph, fourth line from the bottom, the words "Metropolitan COilllCil" should be changed to "AMM." Councilmember Keim indicated on page four, third paragraph from the bottom, sccond line, the word "mortgage" should be changed to "escrow." MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes of the October 13, 1998 regular City . Council meeting, as amended, and thc October 19, 1998 Council Worksession, as submitted. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ---------- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26, 1998 2 . CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll B. Resolution #98-64, Adopting and Confinning Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Keirn seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Probst invited those present to come forward and address the Council on any items not already on the agenda. There were no public comments. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Plan nine Cases 1. Case #98-24, CSM Corporation, 4295 Lexington Avenue, Site Plan Review Ms. Randall explained the applicant is requesting approval of a Site Plan Review to facilitate the construction of a two-story, 50,400 square foot office building for DynaMark. The DynaMark . complex consists of three buildings on three parcels. The proposed two story building would be attached to the existing two story building to serve as the headquarters for DynaMark. The development would use the existing drive between the two existing DynaMark buildings to the south, creating a curved drive entrance with additional parking in the back. Ms. Randall advised the Planning Commission recommends approval of Planning Case #98-24, Site Plan Review with the following conditions: L The sewer pipe be bored so as not to disturb the existing vegetation. 2. Staff approval ofthe revised sewer and water plans. 3. Applicant satisfy the City Engineers requests per the September 22, 1998 memo. 4. Applicant retains pelmanent vehicular, utility and pedestrian access rights to the properties located at 4255 and 4265 Lexington Avenue. 5. Applicant work with Control Data to re-design the private drive entrance to accommodate main entrance by removing median. Ms. Randall noted condition number one has been agreed to by the applicant and conditions numbers two and three have been completed. The applicant is asking to be allowed to work on condition number four, with completion prior to a Certificate of Occupancy being issued. The applicant has also agreed to condition number five. Mr. Bill Sikora, representing CSM Corporation, introduced himself and DynaMark . representatives, and indicated he was open to answer any questions the Council may have. The Council had no questions. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26,1998 3 . MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Keirn seconded a motion to approve Planning Case #98-24, CSM Corporation, 4295 Lexington Avenue, Site Plan Review with the stated conditions. Mayor Probst indicated he is pleased with the project and believes it will be a positive addition to the community. Councilmember Malone suggested, since condition numbers one, two, and tbree have been addressed and agreed to, they not be included in the motion. The Council concurred. Councilmember Aplikowski asked what the timeline is for construction of the project. Mr. Sikora explained the construction is scheduled to begin around November 1, 1998 and DynaMark plans to occupy the building July I, 1999. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. Case #98-26, Gregg Larson, 3377 Snelling Avenue, Minor S n b division/Co ns 0 Iidation Ms. Randall explained the applicant is requesting approval of a minor subdivision to relocate a property line between two parcels zoned R-1 Single Family ResidentiaL The applicant lives at 3377 Snelling Avenue and recently purchased the adjacent property at 3371 Snelling Avenue. . The applicant wishes to adjust the property lines between the two properties. The result would create a 2.2 and 1.1 acre parcels. The applicant currently uses an easement through a neighboring property for access and the adjustment of the property line would provide access to Snelling A venue, if desired. The proposed lots would comply with zoning code requirements. The Planning Commission recommends approval of Planning Case #98-26, Minor Subdivision/Consolidation, conditioned on the recording ofthe subdivision in the form of a Registered Land Survey. Councilmember Larson stated he has nothing to add and will answer questions as a private citizen. He will abstain from the voting process being he is the applicant. MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve Planning Case #98-26,3377 Snelling Avenue, Minor Subdivision/Consolidation, conditioned on: 1. Recording the subdivision in the form of a Registered Land Survey. The motion carried unanimously (4-0-1, Councilmember Larson abstaining). B. Pay Estimate #3, 1998 Street Project, T.A. Schifsky & Sons . Mr. Brown explained the contractor has finished wear course paving on Sandeen Road, Stowe and Fairview Avenues as well as trail access paving at Edgewater and Jerrold Avenues. Payment Request #3 includes payment for items associated with the reconstruction of Edgewater Avenue, Stowe Avenue, Fairview Avenue, and Sandeen Road. Remaining work on this project includes ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26, 1998 4 . the trail connection at Katie Lane and the culvert repair on Hamline A venue. There will be a punch list generated for minor items which need to be cleaned up. The City Engineer recommends the Council approve Pay Estimate #3 for T.A. Schifsky and Sons, Inc. of North St. Paul, Minnesota in the amount of$200,616.99. A retainage of 5% is being held for the project. Mayor Probst asked Mr. Stafford ifhe is satisfied with the pay request. Mr. Stafford indicated he IS. Mayor Probst asked ifthere will be one more pay estimate. Mr. Brown stated there will be one more pay estimate to address the trail completion and the culvert repair. He indicated he expects the project to be completed under the budgeted amOlmt. MOTION: Councilmember Aplikowski moved and Councilmember Keim seconded a motion to approve Pay Estimate #3 for TA. Schifsky and Sons, Inc. of North St. Paul, Minnesota in the amount of$200,616.99. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). C. 1999 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) Legislative Policies and Priorities Mr. Fritsinger stated that, at the last Council meeting, Councilmember Malone provided . information related to the work being done by AMM regarding policies being considered for the 1999 legislative session. The Council received priority packets from AMM a couple of weeks ago for review. Historically, the City adopts policies for both the AMM and the League of Minnesota Cities. These policies are brought to the AMM annual meeting to assist in setting the issues which the City feels arc of the greatest need. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that Councilmember Malone has identified the items he found to be his greatest priority. They are, in order of importance, items I-A, IV, I-E, I-J, and V-A. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she agrees with levy limits being a high priority and would also consider item I-A her number one priority. Her second priority would be item V-A. She indicated she had identified more than one item for her third priority, items II-E and III-C. She would consider item V-B within the forth to fifth priority level. Councilmember Keim stated her priorities are items I-A, I-E, and V -A. She indicated she had not identified a forth or fifth priority. Councilmember Larson stated his priorities are items I-A, V-A, I-E, I-J, and IV. Mayor Probst stated his priorities are itcms I-A, I-E, V-A, V-B, and IV. After compiling the priorities identified by the Council, and further discussion, the Council determined the list of priorities to provide to AMM are: I. I-A, Levy Limits . 2. l-E, Sales Tax on Local Govemment Purchases 3. V-A, Transportation Funding 4. IV, Metropolitan Governance Report 5. I-J, Revenue Diversification ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26, 1998 5 . Mayor Probst asked who will be providing this information to AMM. Mr. Fritsinger indicated Councilmember Aplikowski will be attending the Policy Adoption Meeting on November 12, 1998 and the list ofpriorities will be faxed to AMM prior to this meeting. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMENTS Mr. Fritsinger stated that he visited the Hennepin County Maintenance Facility in Medina with Ramsey County Officials and the Minnesota National Guard. He noted that this is the first discussion staff has had in four years regarding the joint maintenance concept and indicated that it was an interesting tour. The facility has been open for three months. He indicated that Hennepin County has done a good job in designing a building which does not look like a typical maintenance building. The major reason for the tour was to obtain ideas on how to design a building which will fit into a community without being aesthetically unappealing. Mr. Fritsinger stated that the National Guard will be traveling to Washington, D.C. next week with the other major players involved in the land transfer at the arsenal. The General's hope is to have everything in final form at that time so the transfer to the National Guard can take place by the end of this year. Mayor Probst asked Mr. Fritsinger how large the site is. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that the plans were in his office, but he did not recall. Mayor Probst stated that he recalled the area being as much as forty acres. Mr. Fritsinger stated that it is at least forty acres. Mayor Probst explained . that the reason he asked was because Ramsey County has indicated the new site may be up to 100 acres. Mr. Fritsinger stated that during the beginning ofthe re-use process the County land need was about twenty acres, but by the end of the re-use process it had grown to 100 acres. When the General was asked how large the facility being looked at for the bay areas is, he indicated the Guard would be looking at 15-20 bays. The Guard currently has 20 bays but it is not a large facility. Each bay is just large enough for a truck to be brought in and worked on. The Guard is looking at having the bays deeper and allowing for some parking area inside. Mr. Fritsinger stated that there will be no activity this year with regard to the Tony Schmidt Park project. It is expected to be part of next year's budget process and there is no indication that the County has turned away from the project. Mayor Probst indicated that he spoke with Commissioner Weisner about Tony Schmidt Park and Ms. Weisner indicated she was not aware of any problems or lack of support for the project. She indicated the Park is on track to be funded and suggested the City work with the Parks Committee of Ramsey County to ensure the project stays toward the top ofthe priority list. Mr. Fritsinger stated that, regarding the City Hall lease agreement, the Guard found some language in the Congressional Record which may allow the City to obtain a longer term lease. He noted that he has a draft ofthe lease and will be reviewing it and providing feedback to the Guard. Mr. Fritsinger stated that Ramsey County is looking for suggestions from the Council regarding . the appointment to the Library Board. Councilmember Malonc asked if the County is looking for a female to fill the position. Mr. Fritsinger explained that this is the preference based on demographics. Mayor Probst asked if there is a deadline for filling the position. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that the deadline is October 30, 1998. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26,1998 6 . Mr. Fritsinger reminded the Council that the Comprehensive Plan update has been in process throughout the summer and it is scheduled to be brought to the Planning Commission for the public hearing during the November meeting. He invitcd any of the Councilmembers who may be interested to attend the meeting. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Malone commented that updating tbe Comprehensive Plan is a difficult process because the new plan will be substantially different from the old one. In reading the new draft it appears to be much broader than it had been. Mayor Probst referrcd to a note in the agenda packet regarding inquiries coming back as a result of the utility stuffer asking for interest in serving on a committee and indicated he would like to see these inquiries. He noted that it was discussed at this year's retreat to delay any new committee appointments until after the 1999 retreat. He indicated that there should be a reaffirmation of this change or a decision made whether or not the process should be moved up. Mayor Probst asked for an explanation of the graphic provided regarding the issue of a resident looking for access off Lake Lane. Mr. Fritsinger indicated Lake Lane is currently a dirt road east of the IOOF property with a fence running parallel to it. The road is not maintained by the City because there is a private drive used by the residents, which weaves through the lots and out towards Shoreline Lane. With the selling ofMr. Anderson's property, relatcd to his abatement . process, and the proposed development ofMr. Hanson's three lots, tile private drivc is expected to be no longer available. Because of this, the one property owner affected by the loss of the driveway is requesting the City upgrade Lake Lane so it may be used to access the property. Mayor Probst stated that he had attended the grand opening of the Schwan's Super Rink on Saturday. He found the facility very impressive and felt it was well received. Mayor Probst noted that the 1-35W Corridor Coalition continues to move along and Mr. Strauss is scheduled to attend the November Worksession with an update for the Council. The process appears to be going well and the City is getting into issues which will test the cohesiveness of the Coalition. At this point it appears to be a success and he is anxious for the presentation to the Council. Mayor Probst referred to the request from Nickelodeon and asked if there was any reason the City should not participate. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that he is not familiar with the program and the only information he has is the letter included in the agenda packet. He indicated it appears to simply be a request for people in the community to volunteer to participate, but there is no explanation of any other issues which may be involved. . -------.--- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26, 1998 7 . Councilmember Aplikowski commented that there had been volunteers for the task force for the maintenance facility, and asked if a statement should be sent to them that, at this point, there will not be a task force. Mayor Probst suggested providing copies ofthe 1991/92 facility study to the Finance Committee and the Public Safety Commission for their review, and that it would be helpful for the Council liaison to provide the committees an update on the status of this issue at their next respective committee/commission meeting. Councilmember Aplikowski indicated that notification that the Council is considering a joint venture should be sent out. Mayor Probst noted this is the track the Council is on. He indicated he is not sure if a formal action was taken, but the Council had reaffirmed this direction several times over the last few years. Councilmember Aplikowski indicated the reason she made the suggestion is so the Council does not spend more time deciding whether there should or should not be a joint venture. Mayor Probst noted the Council has not gone through the process of trying to resolve all the issues involved. Councilmember Larson referred to the diseussion of waiting until the retreat to appoint volunteers to the various committees and asked whether this is a different process than previous years. There are a large number of volunteers and he feels they should not have to wait this long for the appointment process. Mayor Probst indieated the Council should receive a report of what committees are being volunteered for. The Planning Commission is generally the most popular and time should be given to try to get more interest in the eommittees which need more volunteers. Historically the appointments were January 1st through December 3] st and year-end . is a difficult time to track people down and confim1 commitments. He indicated that, if there are strong feelings about this issue, it should be discussed within the next eouple of weeks so if the Council decides to stay with the traditional process, there will be time to take action. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that the majority of the respondents are interested in the Planning and Parks and Recreation Commissions. He noted that the conversation at last year's retreat was to bring the goals into focus, and ifthere were issues of trying to create new task forces it would be a part of the retreat process. This would allow the opportunity to determine which committees needed volunteers and try to recruit people for them. He noted, although it is awkward trying to make the transition, he likes the eoncept of tying the process to the retreat It should be possible, however, to appoint those who havc expressed interest to the committees needing volunteers. Councilmember Larson suggested, in the future, it may be better to solicit for volunteers closer to the end of the year to eliminate the long waiting period. Mr. Fritsinger indicated that part of the reason for the early solieitation was due to the fact that the Newsletter Committee is down to two people and more volunteers are needed. He noted his plan is to send the respondents a letter informing them that their applications have been received and of the schedule being discussed. ADJOURN ember Malone moved and Councilmember Keirn seconded a motion to the meeting at 8:32 p.m. The motion carried unanimousl 5- . Bnan Fritsinger City Administrator ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - OCTOBER 26, 1998 8 . NOTlCR OF MRRTlNGS The next regular City Council meeting will be held Monday, November 9, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arden Hills Council Chambers. . .