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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 10-21-1993 ~ - MINUTES . CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 21, 1993 4:30 p.m. - CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called to order the Worksession city council meeting at 4:38 p.m. Present: Mayor Sather, Councilmembers Paul Malone, Dale Hicks and Beverly Aplikowski. Also present were: City Administrator, Dorothy Person, city Accountant Terry Post, Community Planning Coordinator Brian Fritsinger and Public Works Superintendent Dan Winkel. AGENDA ADOPTION MOTION: Hicks moved, seconded by Aplikowski, to adopt the October 21, 1993 worksession agenda. Motion carried unanimously (4-0) . citv Emplovees' Benefit Update Ms Person informed the Council that the Public Works employees are requesting coverage for short term disability. If the Council is open to this request, Ms Person would like to offer this benefit to all employees. Councilmember Malone stated he . would suggest the City offer both short term and long term disability benefits. Employees would be requested to pay for the coverage, but it would be available. Further details will be pursued. Investment pOlicy Review: city Accountant Post informed the Council that currently funds invested in Money Market accounts (31.5% at 9-30-93) exceed the investment portfolio goal for this category (15%). These monies have been invested in this manner because of the prospect of needing these funds for the construction of a new city Hall. Since it now looks like the construction will not take place for a minimum of 2 years, Post is suggesting, as Treasurer, that he be allowed to move some of these funds currently in Money Market accounts to a mutual fund investment. The City has other monies invested in Mutual Funds (13% of total portfolio) . The current return on the City's mutual fund investments is approximately 8.3%. Councilmember Hicks is in favor of rethinking the amount of monies in CD's and Mutual Funds. Post suggested that this issue be brought before Council at their meeting and that a resolution be submitted for review of temporary changes to the Investment policy. Fund Identification of remodelinq costs e There have been various opinions from staff members Person and Post as to which is the appropriate fund use for costs related to the remodeling of City Hall. It was agreed that the improvements are an expense and that the use of the community services fund is . - MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 10/21/93 . PAGE TWO the correct fund. city licenses review Mr Fritsinger referred to his memo directed to Ms Person regarding the staff recommendation of increasing the dog license fees to $15 for a 2 year period. council concurred. In reviewing the business license fees there was discussion regarding the General license fee concept vs the Retail Sales fee concept. Staff's intent is to simplify the implementation of collecting fees. certain establishments such as Flaherty's, Arden Hills Amoco and Total Mart should continue to be charged for the additional services they provide to the public. In the discussion process, it was suggested that the general business license be presented to area businesses or possibly the Economic Development Committee for input. It was not determined how to treat small home businesses. Staff also suggested using hours of operation to determine the fee amount rather than using square footage. Council agreed with the hours of operation concept with some threshold incorporating . square footage. Staff will look at appropriate formulas. Staff was directed to continue their review and incorporate appropriate fees over a period of time as major changes are needed. Staff was directed to research the definition of "value" of prizes received relating to amusement devices. Regarding the SAC and WAC charges, Mr. Fritsinger pointed out if the City was giving a developer TIF for infrastructure improvements, the City would be financing these charges within the project. council concurred, however, they suggested no changes at this time. Discussion followed regarding the implementation of a cat license. Council concurred that at this time it is not necessary. Any ordinance change is to be considered in early 1994, along with other animal related items. Discussion followed regarding the Liquor License fee. Currently, the City charges $100.00 for this fee for background check, Fire Marshall site inspection, and on site inspection. Council concurred to increase the fee to $150.00 in 1994 and $200.00 in 1995. . Discussion followed regarding prorating of fees and minimum fees. Staff is suggesting to eliminate this section from the ordinance. Council concurred that a flat rate is appropriate. ----..----- . ~ . MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 10/21/93 . PAGE THREE Christmas Tree Recvclinq/Disposal Joint Proqram Mr. Witzke reviewed the tree recycling program currently being used in New Brighton. After the trees are collected, they are chipped and the chips are distributed in the various parks. Councilmember Malone stated he is not aware of residents requesting this type of service. council concurred to try this recycling project on a trial basis for one year. This recycling program should take place for one week, January 9 - January 15. It was noted that the recycling fund will be used for the cost of this program ($500). 1994 fundinq for pro;ects for Storm Water utility Mr. Winkel updated the Council on possible storm water projects for 1994. Councilmember Malone questioned whether funding was available in the 1993 budget for engineering costs. It was answered that the projects will be completed as dollars are available. It was suggested to consider keeping a reserve account of 20-30%, (see attached) rather than spending all of the monies budgeted. Until the City catches up on all the problem areas, there should . be a minimal amount in reserve, possibly even 20%. It was agreed that the major items need to be completed first, then the smaller items while keeping a reserve. The 509 plan should be adhered to. Staff stated that Chatham walking trail and bridge is in need of repair and should be possibly added to the 1994 budget. Council stated that this problem was caused by runoff and needs repair before falling apart. Valentine Crest Road is in need of repair, and it was suggested to repair this road at the same time County Road F is being improved. Post agrred that it was the intent to eliminate the Storm Saver fund and transfer to the Storm Water fund. Ms Person updated the Council on the Storm Water appeal process. Council was in agreement with her approach to this process. Finalize 1994 Street Improvement pro;ects: It is anticipated that the City will be able to fund all of the proposed projects for 1994 plus some additional projects with the assumption that there will be a 50% assessment to affected . property owners as past practice has dictated (see attached) . Staff would like to see an increase in sealcoating and less in overlays. It was noted that Dr. Alberg's driveway on Oak Avenue continued to be a problem. Staff recommends permanent repair of this driveway and include it in the 1994 plan. . ~ . MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 10/21/93 . PAGE FOUR Staff would like to see a portion of sweeping be incorporated into the Storm Water fund, although the Council sees this item as not having yet been finalized. Therefore these dollars should be held until then. staff would like to include Keithson Drive north to Arden Place in the proposed projects in 1994. Mayor Sather questioned whether all the costs should be taken out of the Storm Water fund. This fund should possibly be split into street/public works salaries. If the 1994 street improvement projects are acceptable, a resolution would be in order to request a feasibility study to be brought to Council on November 8, 1993. Ramsev County Functional Consolidations I turnbacks I Engineer Terry Maurer stated he feels this is probably the best offer the City will receive from the County. Mayor Sather stated the Engineer should talk with Commissioner Wedell if we need further assistance in meeting city needs. The recommendation was to trade County Road F between Lexington and Hamline Avenue for county Road F from County Road E2 past the Mounds View High School to be constructed over a 10 year period . as per the letter from Engineer Maurer on September. The City would retain Hamline Avenue. Councilmember Malone as well as Mayor Sather were in favor of this arrangement. This issue should be put on the November Council agenda. A concern was voiced to address the issues and speed and restriping along Snelling Avenue and Hwy. #51. Comments Councilmember Hicks reminded staff that park dedication fees on the Warren Hanson property should be enforced and that the potential homeowners should be told about the 10% fee. ADJOURN MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0) . ~4;::.o.?>~~ n, City Administrator .