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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 12-07-1998 MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 7,1998 4:45 P.M. - CITY HALL, 4364 WEST ROUND LAKE ROAD CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 8:27 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Susan Keim, Gregg Larson, and Paul Malone; 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS a. Rubbish Hauling The City Council had previously requested additional information prior to the end of 1998 on potential changes to the City ordinances regarding rubbish hauling. Mayor Probst expressed a continuing concern that rubbish was placed curbside on a daily basis in most neighborhoods, and he was concerned about the aesthetics and health concerns. . Mr. Stafford, reported findings ofrecent surveys conducted by the Public Works Director. He stated that the consensus of staff was that the thirteen (13) licensed haulers would not voluntarily limit their days of pick up within the City. Discussion involved the pros and cons of the City considering adoption of an ordinance specifYing dates for pick up. Items considered included, necessity of mandating residential rubbish collection dates; incorporating recycling and rubbish hauling and the number of vendors who could provide both services; expiration date of current recycling contract (January, 2000); free trade and possible increased rates from haulers to residents if City limits or specifies days of pick up; any possible changes to 1999 Rubbish Hauler licensing; road wear from truck traffic; geographic pick up scheduling; mandatory vs. voluntary participation by rubbish haulers; and inability to restrict commercial pick ups. Councilmembers requested staff research of practices of neighboring cities. Mr. Fritsinger responded that staff and the Public Safety Commission had researched this and found no set standard among the neighboring communities. Mr. Craig Wilson, a member of the City's Public Safety Commission, was in the audience and responded likewise to inquiries of the Council regarding research by the Public Safety Commission. Mr. Fritsinger discussed whether or not it was a consensus of the Councilmembers that a letter be . included with the 1999 Rubbish Hauler licenses regarding the City Council's intention to adopt an ordinance in the year 2000 limiting the days for pick up of rubbish in the City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 7. 1998 2 . Mayor Probst stated that, since there was no apparent Council consensus and no formal action being taken at the Worksession, the issue come back to the City Council for formal action at a future Council meeting. Mr. Fritsinger asked for direction in order to proceed with licensing for 1999 and further clarification of the Council's desire for adoption of an ordinance, or for staff to make recommendations for consideration at the renewal of the recycling contract in 2000. After further discussion, and no clear consensus, Mr. Fritsinger suggested that proeedures continue status quo, allowing staff to enter discussions on the recycling contract renewal in mid- 1999, at which time discussions with and suggestions from the various vendors providing rubbish hauling would be pursued allowing staff to provide additional information for Council consideration along with the recycling contract. After additional discussion, and no majority forthcoming, Mr. Fritsinger stated he would bring back a specific ordinance for formal Council action at a future Council meeting. b. Final Town Hall Meeting Plans . Mr. Fritsinger statcd he would not be addressing the final Town Hall Meeting plans, but would rather spend time on 1999 Budget-related discussion prior to final document preparation and adoption scheduled at the December 14, 1998 Council meeting. c. 1999 Budget Mr. Fritsinger and Mr. Post reviewed several items needing clarification prior to final 1999 Budget document preparation and adoption scheduled for the December 14, 1998 Council meeting. 1. Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department (LJVFD) Staff sought clarification on the LJVFD' s 1999 budget request. Staff reminded Councilmembers that the City of Arden Hills had paid LJVFD the same amount in 1998 as in 1997, due to lack of receipt of the Fire Department's budget in time to meet the City's budget process. Staff advised Councilmembers that the 1999 request was based on the 1998 increase, plus additional 1999 needs, therefore exaggerating the percentage increase. The Department's five-year Capital Improvement Plan, as provided to Council, also identified an item specific to 1999, $14,000 for maintenance work at Arden Hills Fire Station No. I. Staff requested Council clarification and direction . related to whether this project should be funded from excess TCAAP funds held by LJVFD, or out of the City's General Fund. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 7.1998 3 . Staff informed the Council that the City of Shoreview had reduced their 1998 operating increase request by the Department by approximately fifty percent. Staff advised Council that the Department was currently in the process of hiring a full-time secretary, and that they were also pursuing someone to provide Fire Marshal services as Mark Bishop would no longer be providing those services to the organization. Staff and Councilmembers expressed their disappointment that these two major budget items had not been postponed until 1999 when the Joint Fire Board was intact. Councilmember Malone expressed his concern that no more capital funds be expended on Station #1 without the City being able to take ownership of the building. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that, as a large portion offunding for the ShoreviewlNorth Oaks Station No.2 construction project had come out of the TCAAP funding source, any additional Arden Hills capital expenditures should utilize this same source. Staff was directed to exclude the capital request, and proceed with the requested budget allotment of$1 74,360 to the LJVFD for their 1999 operating budget. . 2. Half-Time Building Inspector Position Mr. Fritsinger reported that, as part of the previous realignment of the Community Development Director position, discussion took place regarding the possible need for a half-time Building Inspector position, if the level of activity for building inspections continued. Building permit valuation is projected at $30 Million this year, exceeding the 1997 total. The number of building permits has also increased by approximately twenty-five percent (25%). Mr. Fritsinger advised that the City had been approached by the City of Shoreview regarding interest in sharing a Building Inspeetor. Staff believes that this Inspector would be appropriate for 1998, and would recommend a maximum one-year commitment for the proposed cost-sharing. The percentage of time, number of available days, and other items would be worked out with Shoreview. Staff was looking for Council direction on whether the City was supportive of additional conversations regarding a joint venture. Mr. Ringwald reported that estimates were that one Building Official can typically handle an annual permit valuation of $ I 2 - 15 Million, but the City had been exceeding that over the last two years. Mr. Ringwald stated that this was . evident in the reporting and daily office work that was not being completed. Discussion involved the projected residential and commercial permits and revenue for 1999. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSlON - DECEMBER 7.1998 4 . Staff was directed to proceed in conversations with the City of Shoreview on a shared Building Inspector position for one-year, provided the department revenues supported such a position, with no general fund levy ramifications. c. Community Development Director Position Mr. Fritsinger provided a report to the City Council on the Parks and Recreation Commission's review and recommendations regarding the Community Development Director position. Mr. Fritsinger briefly reviewed and summarized the Commission's comments and discussion topics. Mayor Probst, Councilmember Keim, and Tracy Petersen, Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor, had also been in attendance and provided input. The three options discussed by the Commission, at its December I, 1998 meeting were: . Hiring of a full-time Parks & Recreation Director staff position. . Hiring of a full-time Parks Development/Planner staff position. . Creation of a joint parks department with a neighboring community. . The Commission recommended that the City hire a full-time Parks and Recreation Director. The advantages and disadvantages as identified by the Commission and staff were included in the staff report and reviewed by the City Council. Mayor Probst stated he was impressed with the fairness of the Commission in considering the three options. It was the consensus of those attending that the Commission's main concern was the public relations and identity of the City's existing park and trail system. Discussion items included the current restructuring and the City's overall staffing needs; future TCAAP potential; current staff absorbing the duties of the Community Development Director; loss of time needed to train a new Parks Director; combining of parks and public works maintenance under one supervisor; relationship to budget discussion and salary allocations; citizen expectations as they relate to City and existing staff needs; lack of interest in a shared position with the City of Shoreview as a short-term solution; and the "part-time" nature of the Parks Director position. StatI was directed to better define the Parks and Community Development Director positions; consider other staff responsibilities and other City needs, and proceed with the advertisement for a Parks and Recreation Director position. . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 7.1998 5 . MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Nuisancc Concern, Wood Burning Stove Councilmembers Aplikowski and Larson reported on their work with several neighbors regarding use of a wood burning stove, and the apparent problems in a neighboring home that was absorbing the fumes. Discussion items included review of the City of Two Harbors' ordinance regarding air quality; contact made with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) by Councilmember Larson and their willingness to assist with recommendations and/or a site visit to suggest solutions; and possible mechanical problems in the neighboring house which are intensifying the situation. It was the consensus that, as this was not a code violation, had been reviewed by the City Attorney, Building Inspector and MPCA respectively, it was not the City's responsibility to intercede. Sheehv Tennis Court . Councilmember Larson asked for clarification regarding the ownership of the tennis court off Snelling A venue, and its deterioration. Staff advised that the City owned the courts, but the court was leased to the neighborhood association, and as part of the lease, the neighborhood association was responsible for improvements. West Round Lake Road Mayor Probst discussed the condition and proposed improvements of West Round Lake Road south of City Hall. StatI advised that the City's consulting engineer was reviewing the various options at this time for future Council consideration. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Malone moved and Councilmember Keim seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:53 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). .