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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 12-21-1992 , MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING . DECEMBER 21,1992 4:30 p.m. . CITY HALL CALL TO ORDERIROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called to order the Worksession City Council meeting at 4:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Sather (arrived at 5:30 p.m.), Councihnembers Paul Malone, Dale Hicks, and Councihnember-Elect Beverly Aplikowski. Absent: Councilmembers JoAnn Growe and Thomas Mahowald. Also present were: Clerk Administrator, Dorothy Person; Public Works Superintendent, Dan Winkel; City Accountant, Terry Post; Engineers, Terry Maurer and Mark Graham; and Citizen's Committee members Jean Lemberg and Ray McGraw. Due to the lack of a quorum initially, general review was made of the Pavement Management Program, Storm Water Utility, and T.H. 51. Malone asked the Engineer to review Floral Avenue which contains cracks in the surface. The question was if it is a bigger problem, i.e.; a base soil problem. Terry Maurer will review the situation. Keithson Road residents have asked about the current temporary patching and what . long-term plans are being made to address the issue of the road. The Engineer indicated that the current patching is only a temporary solution and there would be some review of the road base and review the possibility of sealcoating in the future. He indicated further that he and Public Works Superintendent Winkel indicated that compaction is in the area of the utility lines probably due to recent years of a dry spell. The road surface is 5 years old. In Spring, 1993, the Engineer will be reassessing this Issue. Storm Water Utility was reported to be worked on. The Engineer indicated that he and the City Attorney are concerned that public information be given prior to any finalizing of a plan. He suggested that information be brought to the January 4, 1993, organizational Council meeting with a tentative hearing in March. MOTION: At the January 25 meeting, the City Engineer will present a draft of the Storm Water Utility with information to be reviewed by City Council anticipating information in the February Newsletter and potentially setting a public hearing in March with possible implementation at beginning of the 2nd quarter in 1993. T.H. 51 - The four options presented by the County were previously reviewed. The Engineers reported that the frontage is the most expensive and possibly not an option due to the wetlands that would need to be crossed. The Engineer had looked at the . lighting of the intersection of T.R. 51 and Old Snelling as the most reasonable alternative. He indicated that MnDOT would be providing 50 percent of the funding with the County and the City providing one-fourth of the funding each unless more issues addressed such as Glenhill Road being connected. MINUTES. WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 21, 1992 PAGE TWO . Further discussion took place regarding the impact of this road and the turnback system. Ray McGraw indicated that as an alternative such as a viaduct or overpass be considered. Jean Lemberg and Ray McGraw indicated that the citizens in the area primarily affected during rush hours and that any study on County Road E changes and flow of traffic and volume of traffic should include these time periods. The Engineer will get further information from MnDOT as to the length of time and time of day that the study took place. He indicated that normally the County review is made during a 24-48 hour period. The Engineer also indicated the City will want a Feasibility Study if the Council decides this is the best route. It was suggested that an Informational Meeting be held with the public to get further input and opinions from additional members of the public. The Public President requested that MnDOT's perspective be reviewed in a public meeting with a representative such as Tom O'Keefe and that further information be received from the City Engineer regarding other alternatives. (Mayor Tom Sather joined the meeting at this time - 5:30 p.m.) Further information was discussed regarding the possibility of holding a public meeting on the TH. 51 and Old Snelling crossing. Determination was made that at the January 25 meeting, the City will be prepared to discuss the alternatives. At the December 28 . meeting, the City Engineer will request the City to authorize a feasibility study be completed based on the review at the Worksession with recommendations. The Council identified at the January 25 meeting to review and debate the merits of options at this intersection. At that time, the Council will decide with proceeding with one of the options for further input from the Engineer or they will decide to request from the public at a further date. MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks, that the City recognize the Pavement Management Plan and request a Feasibility Study during the Monday, December 28 meeting. It was requested that the City Engineer, in January, discuss further the timing of a Storm Water Utility and information for a public meeting to be held in early March. And, at the January 25 meeting, have a public meeting to discuss TH. 51 and Old Snelling public informational meeting regarding options and to request input from the public regarding impact of any of the options and to provide an opportunity to introduce further options. At this time, the Council requested additional information prior to any decision being made regarding whether to proceed and, if so, which alternative to investigate further. The Council agreed that a letter to the School District be written to request their input on any impact on signing of the TH. 51 and Snelling Avenue. . ----------..--- , MINUTES - WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 21, 1992 PAGE THREE . Discussion followed regarding City Hall and Public Works Facilities options. Options discussed included location site, financing alternatives, and content and design of needs. Mayor Sather indicated he would be reluctant to cash out the PIR Fund through internal payback system in order to provide further financial strength for the City. Malone indicated if PIR Funds are not used, an outside agency may be willing to lease back to the City. City Accountant Post indicated to the Council that on a lease option as a funding mechanism, the cost to the City residents is lower than through a general obligation cost. Further discussion was held regarding the site and contents of the program. The December 21 memorandum from the Architect was reviewed with the Council and the Citizen's Committee agreeing that the program that had been designed for the City Hall and Public Works Facility should continue. Hicks requested further information regarding whether the City owns the building if a lease is pursued and the TCAAP site whether there is a possibility of a lease or with a purchase to be done before the referendum is pursued as an option. Mayor Sather indicated that any lease on the TCAAP property would be a lease purchase program and that TCAAP has indicated they will be agreeing with the concept. The Mayor anticipates that this spring (1993), we . will be more certain of the location and that discussions are proceeding in a positive fashion at this time. The Architect, Jeff Ortel, indicated there are different options for cutting back on the programming space. It was also included in several questions from the community whether a metal building would be sufficient for the Public Works Building rather than precast concrete as is currently anticipated. He indicated that he has proceeded with a metal building. However, there have been negative issues of dents in the wall, being able to hang products and equipment on the wall in a metal building versus a precast concrete building which is more stable building used for those purposes. The Citizen's Committee indicated they have received calls that there is too much cost in the building per square footage. He indicated that it was not communicated clearly that included in that were site preparation road costs and utilities. Ray McGraw indicated he would prefer to see a second referendum. He believes, generally, in the country there is a more positive outlook. He also indicated that the uncertainty of a location, he has been told, has been a negative factor in the vote of individuals. He stated that several citizens advised him further work be done with Federal officials and other citizens who would know the Federal system. Mayor Sather indicated that several contacts have been made to rekindle relationships with Federal authorities and other local governmental agencies. He indicated that . Commissioner of DNR, Rod Sando, has been contacted and has a more clear understanding of the intent of the northern portion of the TCAAP property from Hamline and Lexington Avenue - it is not intended by the City to be used for their own purposes. However, to hold it open for other issues not related to development of the land for the City's facilities. ------- , MINUTES - WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 21, 1992 PAGE FOUR . Citizen's Committee Members Charlotte McNiesh and Beverly Aplikowski also indicated that they believe the second referendum should be pursued and that the site should be more firm before going to referendum and that the original design should continue to be pursued. The Mayor agreed to followup in early January with further discussion regarding the TCAAP property as a primary option for the location of the City facilities and will report back with springtime for a target date for finalization of the decision regarding City facilities. Review was made of the citizen committee appointments for 1993. The Council indicated that a newspaper ad should be placed, specifically, for the openings in the Human Rights Committee, and any other interested parties for other citizen appointments to other committees. Discussion followed regarding the replacement of CounciImember JoAnn Growe. The Council indicated declaration of a vacancy should be on the Consent Calendar for the December 28 Council meeting. An announcement in the local newspaper should be made with applications to come in at the end of January, and requested Council review . at the Worksession meeting of February 8 be held with an appointment by March 1 as a deadline for the CounciImember vacancy. Discussion was held on the Recreational Vehicle amendments to the Zoning Code. The Planning Commission was asked to hold a public informational meeting as they see fit for the Recreational Vehicle amendments with a deadline for Council review as soon as possible. Public hearings may be held if further changes are necessary. Council Comments. Hicks will not be attending the January 11 and February 22 Council meetings. ADJOURN MOTION: Hicks moved, seconded by Malone, to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (3-0). Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator .