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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 11-30-1992 , t . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 30, 1992 7:30 P.M. - City Hall G.~.kI..J'.9 ORDER/ROL.LCALI, Note that Council met at 6:00 p.m., in closed session, for a strategy session relative to union negotiations. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called to order the regular City council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Thomas Sather; Councilmembers JoAnn Growe, Dale Hicks, Thomas Mahowald, Paul Malone. Also present were: City Attorney, Jerry Filla; City Engineer, Terry Maurer; Public Works Superintendent, Dan Winkel; Clerk Administrator, Dorothy Person; Deputy Clerk/Zoning Administrator, Catherine Iago; Recording Secretary, Shar FostE~r . .r>!113I.:t:LILIj:AIU1'IQS 'rRII'rJLJ.N...J'~ZlL'1'. r ON 1j:EAR I NG. Mayor sather opened the meeting at 7:31 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on the matter of the proposed 1993 budget/levy. Administrator Person reported that Truth In Taxation notices, in compliance with State law, were mailed on November 25, 1992. Administrator Person stated that the proposed budget and preliminary maximum levy figures are as follows: General Fund 1,481,472 Aerial Platform Ladder 82,460 Capi tal Equipment Program # 1 ~_._2fiJQ.68. Total 1,590,000 She explained that the budgeting process begins in May, continues with reviews, additions, deletions, revisions, identification of goals and objectives, etc., a proposed maximum levy is reported in September, and public hearings are held near year end before final adoption of the budget. She added that taxing jurisdictions must submit their proposed maximum levy in September, taxpayers are then ~ provided with parcel-specific information as to anticipated taxes payable based upon those proposed maximum levies, and taxing jurisdictions can reduce but not increase their levies after submittal of their proposed maximum figures. , . Arden Hills Council 2 November 30, 1992 Person reported that the City's levy reflects a 3.9% increase over 1992 and explained what constitutes the City's levy. She added that the inct.ease is largely due to changes by State Legislature requiring cities to pay sales tax, and the planned update of the City's Zoning Ordinance. She explained that there is efficiency and savings to the City through consolidated services for law enforcement and fi re protection. She added that there are no anti cipa ted staffing changes in 1993, and the use of independent contractors for planning, engineering, and leg a 1 services is planned to continue. Person reported that Arden Hills' tax rate is the lowest compared to the Cities of Mounds View, New Brighton, Shoreview and vadnais Heights. She explained that an individual property taxpayer's bi 11 inol udes the taxing jurisdictions of city, county, school district, and other (other consisting of Metropolitan Council, Regional Transit Commission, Metropolitan Mosquito Control, Light Rail Transit, Rice Creek Watershed District, and County Library). . City Accountant, Terry Post, through the use of pie charts illustrated that total taxes payable are distributed 52% to the School District, 11% to the ci ty , 33% to the County, and 4% to Other. Post pointed out that compared to the 15 st. Paul suburban cities, Arden Hi 11 shad the second lowest tax rate. Using chart.s, Post illustrated the source of the City's General Fund revenue is 74% from property taxes, 8% from licenses and permit, 11% from intergovernmental, and 8% from othet sources. He also illustrated that General Fund expenditures are planned at 15% for fire protection, 25% for police protection, 12% for parks and recreation, 27% for genel:"al government, 3% for public safety, and 18% for public works. Input and comment from the audience was invited, howevel:", there were no members of the audience who came forwal:"d. There were no corr~ents from Councilmember either, however, Councilmember Malone explained that Counci 1 and staff have been involved with working on the pl:"oposed budget for a number of months so Council is quite familiar with the material presented this evening. The public hearing was closed at 7:46 p.m. . MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks, to adopt Resolution 92-73 Clarifying Final Sums of Money To Be Levied For Levy Year 1992 Payable In 1993. Motion carried unanimously (5-0) . . Arden Hills Council 3 November 30, 1992 l\..DO.1'-'L_b9E;NPl\ Note was made that the original November 30 Council agenda was revised by staff to include two additional consent calendar items "Clarification to Approve Purchase of I-Ton Trucks (previously approved) as Diesel Engines Rather Than Gasoline" and "Approve List of Claims/Payroll". MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Growe, to adopt the revised November 30, 1992 agenda. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). APPROVAL OF.__COlH!'i:_LL_KINUTES Councilmember Hicks noted that the last paragraph of page three of the November 9, 1992 minutes incl udes information as to the ages and income levels of residents of the proposed Cottage Villas of Arden Hills. He asked that. t.hose ages and income levels be checked f Ot- accuracy, and revised if incorrect.. . Councilmember Malone referred to t.he fi rst paragraph of page six of the November 9, 1992 minutes and asked t.hat the words "Planning Commission" be replaced by the words "Planner and staff". The sentence would then read " and he would prefer the planner and staff compile an entire package for presentation to Council " MOTION: Hicks moved, seconded by Growe, to approve the minutes of the November 4, 1992 Special Council Meeting as prepared; and approve the minutes of the November 9, 1992 Regular Council Meeting with the revision to page six requested by Councilmember Malone and the possible revision to page three requested by Councilmember Hicks. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). Q.Q.ttQE.:.rt'r_ Gb1>ENRl\R In reference to Consent Calendar item "b" relative to delinquent utility accounts, Councilmember Malone suggested staff explore possible measures to maintain utility accounts in a more current fashion in an effort to encourage residents to remain current in payment of their utility accounts. With regard to Consent Calendar item "fH relative to the . removal of an underground tank, Councilmember Hicks asked if the quote presented is the total cost of removal of the tank and contents. Councilmember Malone and Administrator Person replied that the understanding between the City and the contractor is that the quote is the total cost of removal of the tank and disposal of the contents of the tank. . Arden Hills Council 4 November 30, 1992 MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks to approve the Consent Calendar and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). a. Adopt Resolution 92-70 Certifying Delinquent Diseased Tree Account to the County for Collection. b. Adopt Resolution 92-71 Certifying Delinquent utility Accounts to the County for Collection. c . Adopt Resolution 92-72 Establishing the Last Saturday in April as Arbor Day and Mayas Arbor Month. d. Approve Execution of Contract for Buil ding Maintenance Services - Coverall. e. Approve Request to Obtain Quotes for Equipment Box for Plows - 1 Ton Trucks and Rodder Truck Equipment. f. Approve Quote for Removal of Underground Tank .. Minnesota Petroleum, Inc. . g. Approve the Execution of a Corporate "Certificate of Authority" to Create a 4M Fund Check Writing Account and Designated Authorized Signatures. h. Clarification to Approve Purchase of I-Ton Trucks (previously approved) as Diesel Engines Rather than Gasoline. i. Approve List of Claims/Payroll. I'!IBr..l~_Q.QMliENT-~ E'B~13.EX'I'hl'J.QtL OF_I:lI1J1A' I FAITH I NFORMA T I Q!:l. STEVE B I RKLANJ{L..119 2 BENTON WAY Steve Birkland, 1192 Benton Way, provided the Council with information regarding the Baha'i Faith and asked that Council review the information. He explained the objectives of the Baha'i Faith are to encourage peace, harmony, equality and other noble principals. Birkland reported that this year marks the 100-year anniversary of the death of the Baha'i leader and a World Congress meeting was held last week in New York to observe that anniversary. Birkland presented the Council with a statement as to the . Baha'i faith beliefs and an invitation to attend the "Celebration for Optimism, Diversity and Peace" to be held at 7:30 p.m. on December 10, 1992 at the Holiday Inn in Shoreview. --~ . Arden Hills Council 5 November 30, 1992 UNFINISH~Jl AND.~E.W BUSINESS. R~QJ;:lV.~_R.E_QQM!1~lfDl',nQ.lfLREGll.@.lJJQ HQENS~l\.JtlL1\U~W:!.ESS FEES FROM TRJLf.l.N1\.NCE QOMMI'l;'TJ:E Councilmember Malone reported that the Finance Committee has been working on a license and business fee structure for months, and has combed through ordinances in an effort to compile a list of fees, simplify the list, explore new avenues of potential revenue, and delete obsolete fees (such as license for a rendering plant which is no longer in operation). He recommended that Council receive the Finance Committee's proposed license and fee structure recommendations and direct staff to review the structure in order to have the new fees in place at the beginning of 1993. With regard to the proposed institution of a Fire Inspection Fee, Councilmember Malone explained that one of the advantages to the Fire Marshall doing inspections would be . to alert the Fire Marshall/Department of any hazardous materials that exist within the City. MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks, to receive the Finance Committee's recommendations on license and permit fees and direct staff to review the recommendations. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). (Mayor Sather had stepped away momentarily and did not participate in the vote.) I!ll>C!LfLSI_Q1L:... TRAFnC ALTERNATIVES TO rLOSING T.H. 51 & OLD SNELLING AVENUE Councilmember Hicks drew attention to the minutes of the informational meeting held November 23, 1992 on the subject of T.H. 51 and Snelling Avenue Median Closing. Hicks explained that there were four alternatives presented by MnDOT for consideration, those being: 1. A frontage road from Old Snelling to Lydia. 2. Reconfiguration of the intersection of Old Snelling, Hamline and T.H. 51, turning this into a right angle and opening this intersection with a signal light. 3. Permanent closure of the median. 4. Widening of the County Road E bridge. Hicks added that a comparison of traffic counts before and ... after the median closure indicate there has been no substantial affect in traffic levels due to the closure of the median. . Arden Hills Council 6 November 30, 1992 Hicks stated that the City has control over the alternatives, and it is up to the City to decide how to proceed. He suggested that Council direct the City Engineer to conduct a cursory study on alternatives 11 and 12 to assist in decision making. Councilmember Mahowald recalled that alternative 12 was not acceptable when this matter was discussed earlier. Councilmember Hicks stated that his understanding is that signaling would not be considered unless the alignment of the roads was adjusted to create right angles. It was noted that the City and County's share of signalization costs would be approximately 1/4 each. City Engineer Maurer questioned the bui 1 dabi 1 it y of a frontage road from Old Snelling to Lydia because of wetland concerns and property issues. Councilmember Malone added that a frontage road would require the participation of the City of Roseville. Mayor Sather asked how long the City has to review the . alternatives. Maurer said this should be done by the end of December or first of January. Direction was given to staff to review and report on the alternatives surrounding T. H. 51 and Snelling Avenue median closing. COlJ'liQI1COMMENTS I)_~K".._"CQQUNT Administrator Person alerted the Council to the possibility of their entering into a PERA, and said more information will follow on this matter. R~I'QJi1:ilLt~ESIJ2E!i'L1i,;_TTER_1:i. Councilmember Malone noted that Council has received a few letters recently from citizens; he asked if staff is in the habit of replying to such letters. Administrator Person st.ated t.hat. if let.t.ers are request.ing information, etc. , replies are sent, but other letters of a commentary nature may not have received responses. Councilmember Malone asked that staff acknowledge receipt of all letters from citizens. !\E I TH SQ!'LgQ.l',l) . Councilmember Malone requested that staff send a letter to Keithson Road residents advising them as to why the City is patching that road. ---------------- - . Arden Hills Counci I 7 November 30, 1992 P.I,.J'\HlIJJiG CQklM J:i3~IQN_/1.E.E.'nt!g Councilmember Mahowald informed that, due t.o a conflict., he may be a 1 it t.l e lat.e for t.he Planning Commission meeting. Mayor Sather said he would be in attendance on t.ime, but may need t.o I eave earl y. FIRE MARSHALL Mayor Sather reported that he met with representat.ives of t.he Cities of Shoreview and North Oaks to discuss plans for a Fire Marshall and received a job description and funding options information. He added that more information will soon be available, and the Fire Department wishes to work quickly toward getting a Fire Marshall on board and views this as an opportunity to reestablish the contract cities group discussions. He said that although the addition of a Fire Marshall may be costly in the beginning, it is expected to provide long-term benefits to all the cities involved. ADJOURN . MOTION: Hicks moved, seconded by Growe, to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). Thomas R. Sather, Mayor Dorothy A. Person, Clerk Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS: The next regular Council meeting will be held December 14, 1992 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The next Council worksession will be held December 21, 1992 at 5:00 p.m. .