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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 09-16-1993 - . . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 16, 1993 7:30 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 7:40 p.m. Present: Mayor Sather, councilmembers Paul Malone, Dennis Probst, and Beverly Aplikowski. Also present was: City Administrator, Dorothy Person and city Accountant Terry Post. AGENDA ADOPTION MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Probst, to adopt the September 16, 1993 worksession agenda. Motion carried unanimously (4-0) . TCAAP update: The City Council met in a worksession for discussion and review of the TCAAP situation relating to possible land development for a City Hall/Public Works facility. Councilmember Probst updated the Council on the possible use of TCAAP property as a proposed site for City Hall/Public Works facility. Probst indicated that it has been quiet beyond the meeting of several months ago with interested parties who met at the TCAAP site. Probst has recently met with the Biathlon Organization at their request, and they have written a letter of support to share the use of open space. A State Patrol representative was at the Biathlon Association who indicated interest in use of the TCAAP land for a ski trail and shooting range. Probst also indicated that the Army Office of Economic Development which normally offers assistance to communities when there are base closings, has been contacted for City representation at their normal meeting with community officials. Mike Fix has attempted to work with this in order to set something up. However, Representative Vento has now been attempting to schedule this meeting per Mike Fix. Regarding what the next approach will be: Probst indicated that he has a land drawn map (which was viewed by group). This map identifies generally the areas of open space which is well over 50% of the area. The general areas along Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 96 show commercial development with a small area for the City Hall and the County/city Public Works garage along the Hamline and Hwy. 96 entrance area. Probst indicated that it seems the preferred site for City Hall is still along Sunfish Lake, (along the SE side of the lake). However, if that is not possible, the second area for consideration may be to attach City Hall to the PUblic Works garage area on the west side of Hamline. Probst indicated that he would like to circulate this map to those who attended the meeting at TCAAP several months ago and request their feedback. Probst indicated that this map is consistent with the City's thoughts going into that meeting and was . . . MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 9/16/93 PAGE TWO surprisingly consistent with all of the groups attitude and consensus at that meeting. Tom Ryan with the National Guard has been contacted and their group is needing a maintenance facility of their own. They wish to move forward by early fall 1994 and expect to have the appropriations by then to construct a maintenance facility. Ryan has indicated that he is willing to act as a Federal contact for the location of the Public Works facility. The Sunfish Lake area is currently being protected, and seems to be a high priority for the DNR to keep this land protected and to be inaccessible for development. There was discussion regarding the proper channels to pursue more in depth discussions regarding the TCAAP land. There are several areas where there may be advocates or assistance within the Army itself. Vessey will be contacted, as well as Mr. Horner by Tom Sather. Terry Post will search out Ray Lunde, a possible contact, who retired in May 1993. He was in charge of the Reserve Command for the Midwestern region. Rod Sando at the DNR, it appears, does have a major role in this area which includes communicating their requests and needs. The State Patrol, MNDOT and PUblic Safety Commissioners will be contacted by Tom Sather in order to identify their needs. Probst proposed that the City schedule public meetings inviting different groups of interested parties and will issue press releases. He would also request further letters of support from different agencies, especially state agencies. These will be kept in a separate file for easy access. The lease purchase method is still available per Mike Fix. The Arden Hills' position identifies several needs: 1) an area for City Hall/Public Works development with the County if possible; 2) Recreation facilities (which has been requested and pursued since 1978). 3) access to the areas for the residents such as trails through the Hamline Avenue excess point. 4) Development along Hwy. 10 and HWy. 96. other groups that support this involvement and may also like access to the TCAAP property include: other recreation groups such as: cross-country skiing and boy & girl scout troops. The Council agreed that Arden Hills must stay in the lead role. The release of this land it seems will be piece by piece since the clearing is being done piece by piece. However, from all reports, the City Hall/public Works facility needs are apparent. Discussion also followed regarding joint efforts with others such as the National Guard and Army Reserve. Some possible joint uses with the Army Reserve were discussed which would include using the area west of the Reserve building. . MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 9/16/93 PAGE THREE Brooklyn Park did a similar action with what is believed to have been with the National Guard by joining the city Hall, the ice arena, National Guard areas for joint use. A discussion followed regarding a proposal for the current site. The current site if used for City Hall & Public Works creates many problems such as side yard variances, or front and back yard variances that may be needed in order to build on the current site. It continues to be the belief of the Council that the current site is insufficient especially if there is any growth need in the future. When working out their building plans, the city would like to be in compliance all city ordinances. The Council agreed that the Round Lake area (previously known as the Rendering site) would be acceptable as far as some areas of the City Hall, however, space does not appear to be sufficient for all of city Hall/Public Works especially considering the desire of the County Public Works to be included. Accessibility to Hwy. 96 is an issue along with limited visibility of the land to citizens. However, this is a second choice, and less desirable. . Tom Sather will also contact Met Council in order to be in touch with the Metro area planning agency. Press releases will be developed by Denny and Dorothy. Solicitation policy It was advised that the Solicitation policy will be addressed at another meeting later in the year since this activity will be dramatically reduced in the colder weather. Storm Water utility Appeal process: The Administrator updated the Council that the appeal process would be in order potentially for Alpo Food. The Engineering and Administration staff contacted other cities who indicate that they normally have very few appeals, possibly one to three per year. The Council will normally review the information brought in by the applicant with considerations given to whether or not there is a runoff where they contribute to the storm water system. In addition consideration will be given as to whether it stays on the applicant's land. Alpo has questioned the city, however, they have paid their Storm Water utility billing. Since it is not a critical timing issue for tax purposes or for sending to the County by the end of October, this issue will be set aside for another worksession. The Council generally agreed that the process proposed to date seems acceptable. . Ramsey County Functional Consolidations (turnbacksl The Council was updated by the Administrator that Ramsey County has not been able to deviate very much from their level 90 turnback which is basically recycling. They do not deal with any issues such as storm water, utilities, and other related issues The Council agreed that County Road F in front of the . MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 9/16/93 PAGE FOUR high school is the highest priority for the City for turnbacks and that County Road F between Lexington and Hamline is not a priority road to the City. They do not want to spend City's money on this project. The Council agreed that if the county wishes to do additional work on it, it would not be at city expense and that Council is not willing to trade a road for this portion of County Road F. The other areas identified by the County for potential turnback could be pursued if there is additional funding from the county. At this time the city is not agreeable to pursuing any further turnbacks at the level the County wishes to turn it back. The Administrator with the assistance of the Engineers will notify the County of the Council's discussion. Bobcat SDecifications: The Administrator notified the Council that next week the staff will be advertising for bids for a purchase of the Bobcat per the 1993 budget. Council had no objection. 1994 Union Neqotiations . The Administrator advised the Council that a proposal from the Local 49 has been received by the city. The Administrator notified the Council that she would like to use a different labor negotiator for the 1994 negotiations. This negotiator is Pam Galanter from the Madden and Associates office. The Council agreed to this change. Sheriff's Contract City GrOUD . The Administrator notified the Council that the Sheriff's group is pursuing an option for a three year Federal grant for additional staffing in order to pursue crime prevention with the City matching 50% of funding. The first staffing position that has been identified as having the greatest need is the "Power Shift" which deals with higher crime areas such as the Rice Street corridor through Vadnais Heights and Little Canada. The Council indicated that they do not see any effect that this position would have on Arden Hills and at this time are reluctant to agree to any additional costs for this position to Arden Hills. The Administrator also indicated that apparently there has been for several years discussion about a crime prevention officer. This may be included later in this grant. She indicated that any expenses from this grant would be assumed by the city in full after two to three years. The Council again was reluctant to add any additional hours to the Arden Hills contract. Council is interested in pursuing community policing within the complement of deputies that we have. The Administrator will pursue this further with the Contract group. ~ . . MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 9/16/93 PAGE FIVE ADJOURN MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Probst, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. (4-0). Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator