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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-15-1991 - MINUl'ES OF 'IRE ARDEN HILlS OJUNCIL IDRKSESSION MEEI'ING MONDAY, ~ 15, 1991, 4:30 P.M. - CITY HALL . Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. ROLL CALL '!he roll being called the following members were present: Mayor 'Ihomas Sather, COIIDcil1nembers Nancy Hansen, Paul Malone, JoAnn Growe and 'Ihomas Mahowald. Also present: Park Committee Chair David Sand, Park Director Jolm Buckley, Program Supervisor Cindy Severtson and Deputy Clerk Catherine Iaga. CALL ill ORDER VALENTINE AVENUE; Counci1members and staff viewed the video tape from Bob SAFEl'Y CONCERNS Boesel, resident of Valentine Avenue, depicting the traffic problems in this area which p~ the request from area residents to close the street for safety reasons. Council discussed possible alternatives for closing the street by constructing a cul-de-sac either in the area of Valentine Avenue and Valentine Court or in the area of Valentine Avenue and Valentine crest. It was noted that a petition from residents with 100 percent participation will be required and costs associated with the cul-de-sac construction would be 100 percent assessed to the property owners . Council con=ed to direct staff to review this matter as follows: . Engineer directed to determine the feasibility of placement of a cul-de-sac at either the intersection of Valentine Avenue and Valentine Court or at the intersection of Valentine Avenue and Valentine crest and estilnate costs associated with the cul-de-sac construction. Fire Chief and Ramsey County Sheriff's Deparbnent to review the i1t1pact of the proposal as relates to emergency vehicle access. city staff to contact the Post Office relative to procedures for changing street addresses if IlOCE'SE'ary. Public SafetyfWorks Committee to review the video tape and discuss the proposed alternatives for closing the street. COIIDcil concurred that comments and reconunendations be forwarded f= review as soon as possible. DISCUSSION; PARK DEIIEWFMENT Council was referred to a memorandum from Park Director Buckley dated 4-12-91, relative to park iIrprovements and develO]:IDlEillt of the park system. Mayor Sather advised this matter was deferred to the worksession meeting to discuss procedures relating to the request to exceed. the budgeted amount for the ill1provement project. Park Director Buckley reviewed the discussions at the Park Committee meeting with Committee members and residents relating to the proposed park iIrprovements. . Chair Dave Sand stated that recent surveys indicate the trails are a pri=ity for recreational activities and iIrproved/paved trails have a higher use than natural trails. He explained the connnittee generally concu=ed that the bib.nninous contractors may be ~titive in the bidding pr=ess this year and prices may be reduced. Minutes of the Arden Hills council Worksession Meeting, 4-15-91 Page 2 . PARKS (Cont'd) Sand advised the councilrnembers present at the Park meeting suggested the committee "go f= it" and suJ:rnit a recommendation to eJqJe!1d the funds and complete the trailsjilnprovement project this year. 'Ihere was discussion relative to the change in focus from interconnecting the trail system to developing internal pathways in the individual parks. Council expressed concern that the committee change in philosophy to develop the individual neighborhood parks, rather than intercormect the trail system was not conveyed to the Council by the Park Director. It was also noted that the memorandum received from the Park Director still does not outline the eJqJe!1diture for ilnprovements within the 1991 Budgeted Funds, does not prioritize the ilnprovements and does not state rationale f= expenditures exceeding the budgeted figure. council questioned. if the Park Director has discussed investment alternatives f= the park funds received from park dedications with the city A=untant. 'lhe Park Director advised the past policy has been to maintain the park furrl and use only the interest a=ed to accomplish park ilnprovements. He requested Council input on alternatives f= utilizing the park furrl monies. . Councilmember Malone preferred the Park Director be responsible f= suggesting policy changes relating to park improvements and investment of the park dedicated funds . councilmembers co1'1CillTed that the Park Director suJ:rnit the following information for review and consideration: -Specific list of prioritized park inprovements to be accomplished with the use of 1991 budgeted funds. -List of pri=itized additional park ilnproveroents, with suggestions f= funding the additional ilnprovements and rationale for ex~ing the budgeted amount. -Innovative alternatives for investing and utilization of the park dedication funds . -Pri=itized list of long-range park planning and associated costs f= obtaining land, maintenance and personnel. Cormcilmember Mahowald left the meeting at 6:15 p.m. PARK PROGRAMS Council was referred to a memorandum from Program SUpervisor cindy Severtson dated 4-12-91, outlining the current and new programming and plans for future programming. cindy discussed the need f= expanded after school programs and reviewed "specialty" classes which may be offered for the children. . . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Council Worksession Meeting, 4-15-91 Page 3 PROGRAMS (Cont'd) Cindy explained the lack of adequate facilities is the biggest barrier in scheduling programs. She statoo a carnmunity room which seats approximately 100-150 people arrl with kitchen facilities could be utilized year-round to aCCClllUllOdate existing arrl new programs. She also advised the school district has the ability to cancel a program at any tillle, due to scheduling problems, arrl all the participants IlU.lSt be oontacted at the last minute. Councilmember Hansen suggestoo a letter from Council, supporting programming at the schools arrl requesting cooperation, be forwarded to the Community Education Deparbnent. Council directed Severtson to prepare a quarterly report outlining =ent versus previous year programming attendance arrl revenue. She was also directed to forward to Council any positive or negative correspondence = verbal input from residents relating to programming. MISC;HAZMAT CXlNTRAcr SI'ATUS Counci1member Malone questioned the status of the HAZMAT contract. Deputy Clerk Iago explained the Administrat=, Fire Chief arrl Attmney have been reviewing the proposed contract. AUJOURN Malone moved, seconded by Growe, that the meeting be adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) istrator