The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCC 07-20-1992 . . . MINUTES OF THE ARDEN HILLS COUNCIL WORKSESSION MEETING MONDAY, JULY 20, 1992 - 4:30 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Acting Mayor Mahowald called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. ROLL CALL The roll being called the following members were present: Acting Mayor Thomas Mahowald,Councilmembers Dale Hicks, Paul Malone, and JoAnn Growe. Mayor Thomas Sather arrived at 7:00 p.m.. Also present: Attorney Jerry Filla, Engineer Mark Graham, Public Works Superintendent Dan Winkel, Temporary Accountant Terry Post and Acting Clerk Administrator Catherine Iago. ADOPT AGENDA Growe moved, seconded by Hicks, to adopt the Agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously 0 (4-0) REVIEW AND SCHEDULE CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS, ADMINISTRATOR POSITION, James Brimeyer appeared before council and presented an informational report which outlined background on seven candidates for the position of Administrator. It was determined that Council would interview five candidates on 7/21/92 and 7/23/92. Brimeyer discussed procedures relating to interview questions, evaluation forms and reference checks. Council thanked Brimeyer for the report. UPDATE ON ARDEN PLACE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT Attorney Filla was present to discuss easements relating to this improvement. He referred to a diagram prepared by the Engineer which directs the improvement to the south toward an existing wetland area. Filla also discussed options for obtaining the easement from adjacent property owners. Engineer Graham expressed concern that the adjacent property owners may be unwilling to grant an easement for this improvement. He suggested an alternate route, which would follow an easterly direction, along city right-of-way and ultimately flow into an existing wetland area that is owned by the Lake Johanna Association. . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Council Worksession, 7-20-92 Page 2 ARDEN PLACE (Cont'd) Councilmember Malone noted the alternate easterly route for the improvement which would drain into an existing wetland area, may have distinct infiltration advantage as it does not directly enter Lake Johanna. Council concurred that the easterly route appears to be more feasible since it may be located within the City owned street right-of-way. Council directed Engineer Graham to prepare a report outlining the impact of the alternate route for this improvement, in an easterly direction towards the existing wetland, which includes cost estimates to obtain an easement from the Lake Johanna Association. DISCUSSION OF KEITHSON POND PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES Council was referred to the 7/17/92 letter from Attorney Filla relating to procedural issues raised by Keithson Drive residents. He recommended that this matter be placed on the Council agenda for additional review and receipt of comments from the public; also that residents be given at least ten days mailed notice prior to the meeting. There was discussion relating to procedures for the additional meeting and providing information to residents which outlines the history of this development. Malone moved, seconded by Hicks, to amend Council action adopting the assessment roll for the Keithson Improvement and table this item to the August 31, 1992, Regular Council Meeting, at 7:30 p.m., at which time Council will allow residents to be heard and will respond to recorded objections from affected property owners. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) Council directed staff to send notification to residents of the continuation of this matter 0 STATUS REPORT: ARSENAL PROPERTY FOR CITY FACILITIES, ARCHITECT Architect Dennis Probst appeared before Council to give a status report on discussions relating to obtaining the Arsenal property for site location of the City Hall and Public Works Facilities. He outlined the discussion regarding lease of the property versus purchase of the property. . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Council Worksession, 7-20-92 Page 3 ARSENAL PROPERTY (CONT'D) After discussion council concurred to direct staff to work with the Architect on the following items: 1. Architect will obtain topographical map and prepare schematic drawings of the proposed facilities and site location. 2. Architect will work with staff to prepare correspondence to the appropriate TCAAP officials which indicates the City is willing to pursue lease of the property with option to purchase. 3. Staff will forward copies of TCAAP correspondence to State and Federal officials and attempt to arrange a meeting to discuss options for expediting process to obtain the TCAAP site for the City facilitieso Council thanked the Architect for his report. DISCUSSION OF BOND DEFEASANCE Tom Truszinski of Juran & Moody was present and outlined bond defeasance options. Hicks moved, seconded by Malone, to direct staff to work with representatives from Juran & Moody to prepare the appropriate resolution which creates an escrow account for the bond defeasance for Council action at the July 27 regular meeting. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) Truszinski requested Council consider the firm of Juran & Moody to prepare an analysis of options for financing the proposed city Hall/Public Works Facilities. Council thanked Truszinski for his presentation and information relating to City facilities. Mayor Sather arrived at 7:00 p.mo DISCUSSION OF WATER METER REPLACEMENT POLICY AND INITIATING FEE Council was referred to a memorandum from Public Works Superintendent Winkel dated 7-20-92, recommending a fee for meter replacements be imposed if the request is solely based on homeowner convenience, rather than meter malfunction. . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Council Worksession, 7-20-92 Page 4 WATER METERS (CONT'D) He indicated some homeowners insist on replacement of the meters based solely on the fact the old meters are too noisy. Winkel explained the cost for meter replacements ranges between $80.00 to 100.00, depending on staff time. Malone moved, seconded by Growe, that Council authorize staff to charge a $95.00 service fee for replacement of residential water meters that are not defective and have been requested by residents based solely on excessive noise or convenience. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) DISCUSSION OF CHARITABLE GAMBLING ORDINANCE Council was referred to the 7/15/92 memorandum from Temporary Accountant Terry Post, relating to the Charitable Gambling Ordinance and compliance to regulations by organizations licensed within the City. Mahowald moved, seconded by Hicks, to defer discussion of this item to the October or November Council Worksession meeting. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) NOTICE OF WATER TESTING FEE AND UNPAID UTILITIES PENALTY Council was referred to the informational memorandum from Temporary Accountant Terry Post dated 7/15/92. Post advised the inserts will be mailed with the second quarter utility billing statements providing information to residents on the new charge for water testing and a reminder of the penalty charged for delinquent utility payments. SCHEDULED BUDGET WORKSESSION MEETINGS & TOPICS The following tentative dates were set for budget work session meetings: AUGUST 19 Topics: - 4:00 P.M. Compensation plan, Service Providers, Parks & Recreation, General Fund/Admin, Public Works, Misc. Special Revenue - 4:00 P.M. Storm Water utility, city Hall/Public Works Project and 1993 Budget Impact, 1993 Capital project Budget, Changes over 1992 Baseline AUGUST 24 Topics: SEPTEMBER 2 - 4:00 P.M. - IF NEEDED . . . Minutes of the Arden Hills Council Worksess on Meeting, 7-20-92 Page 5 BUDGET SCHEDULE (CONT'D) Council suggested staff highlight additional costs related to construction of City facilities. SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - PARK DIRECTOR BUCKLEY Malone moved, seconded by Hicks, to schedule a closed meeting, immediately following the 7/27/92 regular Council meeting, for the purpose of conducting a performance evaluation for Park Director Buckley. (Motion carried unanimously) (5-0) PROPOSED HIRE OF CITY ACCOUNTANT Council discussed hiring Temporary Accountant Terrance Post at the 90% rate of the 1992 salary schedule for this position. Staff was directed to prepare documentation for hire and for appointment of this individual as city Treasurer for Council action at the 7/27/92 regular meeting. Council further directed staff to prepare a resolution commending Frank Green for his service as city Treasurer. ADJOURN Mahowald moved, seconded by Hicks, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (5-0) Thomas R. Sather Mayor Catherine J. Iago Acting Clerk Administrator