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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-28-1991 , MINUI'ES OF THE ARDEN HILLS RmJI.l\R OOUNCIL MEEI'ING TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991, 7:30 P.M. - CITY HALL . CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called the meeting to =der at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL The roll being called the following members were present: Mayor Thomas Sather, Council1nembers Nancy Hansen, Paul Malone, JaAnn Growe and 'Ihamas Mahowald. Also present: Engineer Mark Graham, Attorney Jerry Filla, Public W=ks SUperintendent Dan winkel, Accountant T.J. WOlfe-SWanson, Clerk Administrator Gary Berger and Deputy Clerk Catherine Iago. AOOPI' AGENDA Malone moved, seconded by Growe, to adopt the May 28 Agen::la as su!:lnitted. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) APPROVE MINS; 5/13 & 5/20/91 Councilmember Malone advised at the May 13 Council meeting he expressed concern that the New Brighton Bulletin has ceased publishing Tentative Council Agendas and requested staff contact the Bulletin regarding this :rratter. Malone explained that a staff member fram the Bulletin advised the agendas have not been sent fram the City for publication and the Bulletin is willing to publish the agendas. He discussed the :rratter with city staff to insure the agendas are su!:lnitted f= publication. Malone moved, seconded by Hansen, to approve the May 13 Regular Council and May 20 Council W=ksession meeting minutes as sul:Hnitted. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) . CONSEm' CALENDAR Moved by Malone, seconded by Hansen, to adopt the May 28 Consent Calendar as su!:lnitted and auth=ize execution of all necessary documents contained therein: a. Approve Neighborhood Crllne Watch Sign Request. b. Approve List of Claims and Payroll. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) PUBLIC cx:M1ENrS None. PUBLIC HEARING May= Sather reopened the continued Public Hearing at 7:34 p.m. for the purpose of considering the proposed assessment of those properties amtting Valentine Avenue in the :rratter of the 1991 Pavement Maintenance Program. 'Ihe Mayor explained this :rratter was continued fram the April 29 Regular Council meeting to allow staff to meet with residents and review altenJatives for closing the street. ASSESSMENT HRING; VALENTINE AVENUE 1991 BIT. OVERlAY . Engineer Graham reported on meetings held with residents, the Public Works SUperintendent, Engineer Maurer and hin1self. Graham briefly reviewed the five alternatives listed in his May 22 letter relative to closing Valentine Avenue. He stated that if Council desires to close the street, he and Engineer Maurer recommend. AltenJative #4; closing the street at Valentine Crest by installation of a Tee turnaround and extending Mr. Boesel's driveway. . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, 5-28-91 Page 2 PUB. HRG. (Cant/d) Graham advised that area residents awear to be split in their opinion as to whether or not the street should be closed; some residents favore:i maintaining access to both County Road F and Old Highway 10. Council asked Graham to describe the process for construction of a "Tee" turnaround and the proposed location on Valentine Avenue. Graham explained the turnaround and advised it would be located on the east side of Valentine near Boesel's driveway. He noted the Boesel's driveway has a severe angle and by extending the driveway, the angle would be straightened. Council questioned if the "Tee" and extended driveway would accarrnnoclate emergency vehicles. Fire Chief Winkel explained only some fire vehicles would be able to access the turnaround; the ladder and snorkel trucks would not be able to maneuver in the turnaround. Mayor Sather asked f= comments fram the floor. Gail Weber, 4112 Valentine er-est Road, questioned which property CMnerS would be assessed f= the o:>nstruction of the turnaround. CouncilInember Malone advised in his opinion the residents of Valentine er-est and Valentine Court receive no direct benefit from the street closure, since they currently reside on a cul-de-sac street, and the costs should be assesE'ed to those persons with property abutting Valentine Avenue. Malone explaine:i the Council determines the properties receiving direct benefit fram the proposed improvement and it appears the improvement enhances the value of the properties directly abutting Valentine Avenue. Graham advised the cost of the turnaround is estimated at $6,200.00 and the overlay costs were excluded from the estimate. A petition was presented to Council from residents opposing the closure of Valentine Avenue. John Kinsman, 1655 Valentine Avenue, explained the issue was brought to Council by the neighborhood as a public safety matter, not an improvement which enhances property values. He stated for the record that in his opinion the residents of Valentine er-est and Valentine Court will receive benefit from a public safety stan:lpoint. CouncilInember Malone disagreed with this analysis of the situation. John Albert, 4090 Valentine er-est, explained the cause of the traffic diversion through the Valentine Avenue neighborhood is due to the problem vehicles experience at the intersection of County Road F and Old Highway 10. He suggested if ease of access onto Old Highway 10 from County Road F is provided, the Valentine Avenue traffic problems may cease. Albert also advised he has no recollection of a=idents in the area. Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, 5-28-91 Page 3 . PUB. HRG. (Cont'd) Bob Boesel, 1695 Valentine Avenue, discussed the level of inconvenience to residents of this area if the street is closed. He referred to those residents of Valentine Crest that opposed the access cormection of Janet Court and Valentine Crest when the neighborhoods were developed. Boesel noted that all residents ahltting Valentine Avenue favor the street closure. Mayor Sather stated he does not recall any discussion of a connecting street between the Janet Court and Valentine Crest cul-de-sacs during the review of either development. Jim Smith, 4109 Valentine Crest, stated opposition to the closing of Valentine Avenue. Smith advised the City would set a precedent f= closure of streets with traffic prOblems, rather than providing more stringent enforcement of traffic laws. He stated the streets should not be used as playgrounds for children. Smith also stated it is difficult to access to CoImty Road F during IOClrning peak traffic hours and he wished to maintain the access to Old Highway 10. Terry McCleary, 1665 Valentine Avenue, advised his children do not play in the street and expressed concern that the high school students driving along the roadway at excessive speeds may injure themselves. Council questioned if l'OClSt of the vehicles traveling at excessive speeds are students from ~ view school. . Bob Boesel explained the students are part of the problem during morning and afternoon hours, however, the problem continues throughout the day; advised he w=ks at home and has witnessed the reckless driving at all hours. Mr. & Mrs. Albert, 4090 valentine Crest, suggested conducting a traffic/speed survey. He stated IOClre investigation should be given to traffic control at Old Highway 10 and CoImty Road F. shirley Fergerson, 4065 Valentine Court, expressed concern at the lack of traffic enf=cement. She reported a vehicle parked on the street near her residence for two weeks and had to call the Sheriff's deparbnent twice prior to removal of the vehicle. Tam Cronin, 4065 valentine Court, explained he has monitored enf=cement and the problems experienced by the Deputies; when the police vehicle is in pursuit of an offender, the other vehicles traveling the roadway do not stop f= the stop sign. Bob Boesel COII1Il1eI'lded the Sheriff's deparbnent f= being extremely cooperative when called to address traffic matters in the area. Councilmember Hansen questioned if residents will experience problems with school !:us rerouting due to the closing of Valentine and if children will have to walk to the intersections for pickup. She suggested the !:us company be contacted to discuss the problem. '!he residents did not express concerns relative to rerouting the school buses. . Bob Knnze, 4073 Valentine Court, agreed the Sheriff's deparbnent has been extremely cooperative and that the traffic problems occur throughout the day, not just at peak traffic hours. Mayor Sather asked if there were any further carnments from the floor and hearing none, closed the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, 5-28-91 Page 4 . FOB. HRG. (Cont'd) Council1nember Malone recalled the original petition presented by residents favored the street closure and now a mnnber of residents have expressed opposition to closing the street. He stated he does not favor closing the street as there does not appear to be overwhelming evidence that all residents support closure. Councilmember Hansen referred to the letter fram residents which stated two rronths have passed since this matter was brought before Council. She explained Council prefers not to make a hasty decision regarding closing the street and recalled the Public Safety/Works Coromittee reviewed the traffic problem on Valentine Avenue a few years ago. Hansen did not favor closing the roadway and suggested placement of signs which prohibit turning onto the roadway fram Old Highway 10 and County Road F. She favored con:iucting a traffic survey on the roadway. O:luncilmember Growe advised the Public Safety/Works Coromittee agrees the traffic problems in this area create a safety hazard and have ni"",lSsed extra enforcement in the area; favored conducting a traffic study. Growe in:licated she preferred more infonnation pri= to making a detennination to close the street and suggested the street overlay be CCllTpleted at this t:iJne. . O:luncil1nember Mahowald expressed concern at the division of the residents regarding the street closure; stated the initial petition with all signatures favoring the closure was the incentive f= Council to consider the matter. He agreed the traffic needs to be diverted fram utilizing Valentine Avenue as a "shortcut" and that a reasonable solution must be determined. He did not favor closure of the street at this t:iJne and supported the overlay project. Council discussed possible review of other alternatives such as signage of the area prohibiting turns at Old Highway 10, stronger enf=cernent of traffic violations and review of the traffic conditions at Old Highway 10 and County Road F. Malone moved, seconded by Hansen, to schedule a COUncil Worksession meeting on Monday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m., for the p.n:pose of discussion of public safety issues relating to Valentine Avenue with the city Engineer and interested residents, and further to direct staff to mail notice of the meeting to residents of Valentine Avenue, Valentine Crest Road and Valentine Court. Motion carried unanirrously. (5-0) O:luncil requested staff contact Ramsey County Sheriff's Deparbnent, Ramsey County Engineer and Mounds view High School and request representatives of each agency attend the June 24 meeting. Malone moved, seconded by Hansen, to authorize the Engineer to conduct a traffic study on Valentine Avenue, similar to the study conducted on Snelling Avenue, and provide information to Council at the June 24 meeting, at a cost not to exceed $500.00. Motion carried unan:llnou.sly. (5-0) DISC; OVERlAY VALENI'INE AVE. Council discussed the inclusion of Valentine Avenue in the 1991 Pavement Maintenance project. . O:luncilmember Hansen questioned if it is sensible to overlay the street if closure is perxling. Councilmember Mahowald questioned if it would make sense to exclude Valentine Avenue and Valentine Crest Road fram the project perxling further discussion of the street closing. Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meetin;J, 5-28-91 Page 5 . IMPROVEMENT (Cant' d) Engineer Graham advised both streets are in poor condition and are rated for the overlay project. Mayor Sather favored the overlay of the street and supported future consideration to reduce assessment costs for construction related to closure of the street by the amount assessed to individual parcels for the bituminous overlay project. Councilrnember Malone favored inclusion of the street in the overlay project, based on previous Council discussion relatin;J to the street closure. He noted that the "Tee" turnarourrl design preferred by the Engineers would result in a loss of approxiInately 50 feet of the bituminous surface. Bob Kunze, 4073 Valentine Court, discussed the placement of a barrier on Valentine Avenue, near the entrance to Valentine Crest Road, which would allow ingress/egress for residents and prohibit thru traffic on Valentine Avenue. Malone m:>ved, seconded by Sather, to authorize the Engineer to proceed with the bituminous overlay of Valentine Avenue. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) AOOPI' RFS. #91-34; FINAL ASSESSMENT mLL, VALENI'INE AVE. 1991 PVMT. MAINT. Malone moved, seconded by Sather, to approve Resolution No. 91-34, AOOPrING FINAL ASSESSMENT mLL FOR VALENI'INE AVENUE IMPROVEMENI'S (1991 PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE l'ROJEX'::I') . Motion carried unanllnously. (5-0) . Council recessed at 8:45 p.m. and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. PRESENI'ATION ; 1990 CITY AUDIT Council was referred to the 1990 Audit document and the Management letter, as prepared by Abdo, Abdo and Eick. Auditor Gary Groen was present to review the dOCln1lel1t and answer any questions. Groen offered suggestions for operational changes, as outlined in the administrative letter suhnitted with the audit, and advised he has discussed the changes with the Clerk l\dministrator and A=untant. He suggested Council consider a review of utility rates to determine if the charges are sufficient to maintain the fund balance. Councilrnembers thanked Groen for his presentation. . Council was referred to the final report dated 5-22-91, from the city Hall study Ccanmittee, recommending the constJ:uction of a new City Hall and Public Works facility. Ccanmittee Chair Dennis Probst was present to discuss the work of the canmittee and the final reconunendation. He advised the COIlII1littee identified four general site areas from the thirteen candidate sites prO)XlSed by the Planner, although no recarmnendation is made at this time for a specific site or whether both city Hall and the Public Works facility should be on the same site. Probst stated the canmittee further recommends Council consider retaining a consultant to finalize the tuildinJ programming effort, to canplete site analyses of the four candidate sites and to determine the desirability of locatin;J the Public Works Facility on the same site. He also indicated the proposed square footages in the report should be reviewed. to determine if the estiInates are adequate. Probst noted durin;J tours of other community facilities, the cormnittee fourrl the square footage estiInates listed in the report to be comparable, based on staffin;J and population. REXXMlENDATION ; CITY HALL SIUDY ~ . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, 5-28-91 Page 6 CITY HALL (Cont'd) Probst noted the School District expressed interest in shared facilities; suggested staff =ntact representatives from the school district to determine need for use of proposed. city facilities. Probst stated the general condition of City b.llldings and the site are less than desirable, the city Hall is inadequate for staff and public needs, the exterior of both b.llldings is deteriorating, storage space is almost nonexistent, and parking is insufficient. Probst briefly r'li"'-'lSSed financing alternatives listed in the report. Canunittee Chair Probst recommended Council retain a consultant to review the infonnation provided and detennine space re:}llirements and future site analysis. Councilmember Mahowald thanked Chair Probst and carnmittee :members f= their service on the carnmittee and for the report. He supported the carnmittee fin:tings and recanrnendation to retain the services of a consultant. Councilmember Malone questioned if sufficient fun::ls are available to retain a consultant as recommended; noted $20,000.00 was b.1dgeted for this purpose. Probst advised the amount b.1dgeted should be sufficient to retain a =nsultant for site analysis, to perform an assessment of square footage for the facilities and to complete block diagram floor plans. He also discussed procedures for reviewing architectural qualifications and offered to submit documentation for Council review. Mahowald moved, seconded by Growe, to accept the report of the City Hall study Canunittee and direct the Clerk 1\dm:inistrator to forward a letter on behalf of Council, thanking the members for a fine job on the study. Motion carried unan:i1nously. (5-0) REQUESI' STREEI' LIGHI'S; ELGEWATER ESTATES rrMNHOOES, BRUEBERRY lANE & PARKSHORE DRIVE Council was referred to a memorandum fram Deputy Clerk Iago dated 5-24-91, relative to a request fram Etlgewater Estates Tarlnhomes for awroval of street lighting installation and maintenance of lights in the dedicated street right-of-way. The Deputy Clerk referred to the Planner's memorandum dated 5-13-91, which explains this plan is consistent with the previously approved plan, with the exception of the height of the light poles; a four foot increase is proposed. Bergly explained in his report that the standard NSP light pole is 18 feet and the taller poles are acceptable from a lighting and visual point of view; the report recommends awroval of the plan. Deputy Clerk Iago explained in further reviewing this matter, she located :minutes from the 8-10-87 Council meeting relating to this matter. Iage indicated the minutes reflect that placement of the lights should be behind the right-of-way and payment of the installation and maintenance costs are to be the responsibility of the developer. Councilmember Malone advised the street lighting plan adopted by the city authorizes the payment of maintenance costs only f= those lights installed at major intersections, such as the one light to be installed at parksh=e Drive and Brueberry Lane. He stated he is not opposed to the installation of the lights as proposed and expressed a willingness to consider maintaining the light at the main intersection. . . . Mirnltes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meeting, 5-28-91 Page 7 LIGHI'ING (Cant'd) Malone suggested the other three lights proposed for installation on the Brueberry right-of-way and the four lights on the private driveways be llIaintained by the Townhouse Association. Paul Keleher and lee Ulskey, representing Etlgewater Estates Townhanes, were present. Keleher advised he and Ulskey have undertaken COI!pletion of this project from a previous developer. 'I\lskey expressed a willingness to comply with Council conditions :inposed in conjunction with approval of the lighting plan. Malone moved, seconded by Mahowald, to accept the lighting plan suJ::mitte:i 5-1-91 f= Fdgewater Estates Townhanes, and grant permission for placement of the four (4) lights in the street right-of-way and four (4) lights on private driveways, as shown on the attached diagram, and further agree that the developer shall pay installation costs f= eight lights, the City shall retain ownership and llIaintain the street light locate:i at the intersection of Brueberry lane and Parkshore Drive, and the Townhouse Assocation shall own and llIaintain the remaining seven lights. Motion carried unaniJrously. (5-0) Deputy Clerk Iago requeste:i the developers suhnit a copy of the Etlgewater Estates Townhouse Association agreement documents for the city file. AD lKlC m1MITI'EE APPOIN'IMENI'S; CHAR. GAMBLING Cauncil was referred to a memorandum fram May= Sather date:i 5-28-91, recommen:iing appointments to the Ad H= <haritable Gambling Committee. May= Sather advised he revised the =iginal reconnnendations presented by staff since it was brought to his attention that some of the persons llIaY not be operating bingo occasions at the Bingo HalL He state:i the persons fram the charitable organizations liste:i f= awointment represent the charities with the larger bingo occasions. Council recammerrled staff advertise for two or three additional participants fram the COII1llIllIlity in the TcMn Crier and on the Cable TV channeL May= Sather noted a Council liaison has not been appointed and requeste:i a volunteer; advised he is willing to serve on the camnittee in the event a volunteer does not come fonvard. Malone moved, seconded by Growe, that Council ratify the awointments to the Ad H= <haritable Gambling Committee, as reconanended by Mayor Sather in his memorandum date:i 5-28-91. (Motion carried unaniIoc>usly. (5-0) OOUNCIL o::M1ENI'S FINANCE SUIl-<X:I>1M. MEE:l'ING; LJVFD AUDIT REVIEW Council1nember Malone reported on the Finance SUbcommittee meeting with the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department, to review the fire deparbnent audit. He thanked the subcarmnittee and LJVFD for their cooperation. KEI'IHSON DRIVE; ~y CDNDmON Council1nember Malone cammented on the roadway conditions along Keithson Drive; noted the street settlement. Public Works SUperintendent Winkel explained that staff is aware of the roadway condition and settlement problems. He suggeste:i allowing the roadway one year to complete settlement pri= to reviewing f= repairs. Minutes of the Arden Hills Regular Council Meetirq, 5-28-91 Page 8 . GEESE PROBLEM Council1nember Malone referred to a report frOlll the Community Service Officer relative to the geese problem. He suggested nvre infol11'ation be provided from the CSO prior to considerirq action on the matter. REVISED FINANCE PROCEDURES Council1nember Malone ccmnended the Accountant on the new finance procedures recently incorporated into the system. WATER IDSS STUDY Council1nember Malone questioned the status of the water loss study. Public Works Superintendent Winkel reported the meter certification is completed and the Accountant is reviewirq the billirq statements. He noted the city of st. Paul is =ently reviewirq the City of Roseville water purchase records. Malone encouraged staff to complete the water loss study as soon as possible. Malone noted a newspaper article regarding utilizirq the COW1ty Read I water connection to in=ease the lake level in Turtle lake. He requested staff contact st. Paul Water Department to determine if this will affect Arden Hills water supply. . Malone moved, seconded by Growe, to schedule a performance evaluation for Public Works Superintendent Winkel on Monday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m., at City Hall and to direct the Clerk Administrator to provide Council with the necessary evaluation foms. Motion carried unanim:Jusly. (5-0) saIEDULE E.VAL. i PUBLIC IDRKS SUPERINTENDENI' CITY HAIL STUDY Mayor Sather encouraged further discussion on the city Hall Study conunittee reconnnendationsi suggested this matter be discussed at a worksession meetirq. Malone moved, seconded by Hansen, to schedule a Council Worksession Meetirq on Monday, June 17, at 4:30 p.m., at city Hall to discuss the City Hall Study Committee reconnnendations. Motion carried unanim:Jusly. (5-0) ADJOURN Malone moved, seconded by Mahowald, that the meetirq be adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) ~47~!~ Clerk Administrator 'Ihonias R. Sa Mayor NOI'ICE OF MEErINGS ~ere will be a Special Council Meetirq held on Monday, June 3, 1991, at 7:30 p.m., at city Hall. . ~e next Regular Council Meetirq will be held on Monday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m., at City Hall.