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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 07-20-1993 , e MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 20,1993 4:30 porno - CITY HALL CALL TO ORDERIROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Acting Mayor Hicks called to order the Worksession City Council meeting at 4:35 p.m. Present: Acting Mayor Hicks, Councilmembers Paul Malone, and Beverly Aplikowski. Also present were: City Administrator Dorothy Person, Public Works Superintendent Dan Winkel, City Engineer Terry Maurer, newly hired Community Planning Coordinator Brian Fritsinger, and Recording Secretary Renee' Kaulfuss. AGENDA ADOPTION MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Aplikowski, to adopt the July 20, 1993 worksession agenda. Motion carried unanimously (3-0). 1994 Budl!et Issues - Ramsev County Sheriff's Department . City Administrator introduced Commander Jerry Bergeron and Lt. Dick Dornbush from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. Commander Bergeron updated the Council and Staff on the major budget impacts. Handouts were provided outlining the budget issues. The 1994 proposed budget is a 3.2% increase over the 1993 budget. One major item of change is the City of Arden Hills will be joining the other contract cities in the purchasing of the squad cars, continuing with one squad assigned fulltime to the City. The City will also have a cost savings as gasoline will be purchased at the County garage, and other changes include the addition of a supervisor for the Community Center; and a parttime to fulltime investigator. 1994 Budl!et Issues - Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Dan Winkel introduced the District Chief Tim Gilsrud and the Treasurer Bob Grasley. Mr. Winkel summarized the proposed 1994 budget provided to Council and Staff in their packets. The 1994 proposed budget is a 1.3% increase over the 1993 budget. Major items of change is a request to replace one Fire Chief vehicle with an additional budget cost of $7,000 and an additional $2,000 for training. There is also a request to add additional costs for a fulltime Fire Marshall which is not currently reflected in the 1994 proposed budget proposal. . Discussion followed relating to the addition of the Fire Marshall. Mayor Sather questioned what other cities do for a Fire Marshall position. Mr. Winkel stated the cities of Roseville, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake have fulltime Fire Marshals on staff. The City of New Brighton is looking into hiring a fulltime Fire Marshall. Mayor Sather suggested looking into the possibility of sharing a Fire Marshall with the City of New Brighton. Councilmember Malone questioned using OSHA vs Fire Marshall for fire inspections. Mayor Sather questioned the use of the State Fire Marshall office. Mr. Winkel stated the State Fire Marshall has jurisdiction over Ramsey, Washington, Chisago and Dakota counties and is very busy, therefore passing down the fire inspection needs to the local f. MINUTES OF COUNCIL WORKSESSION OF 7/20/93 PAGE TWO . municipalities. Mayor Sather suggested Mr. Winkel challenge the Fire Department members to research ways to help finance the cost of fire inspections. Mr. Oertel informed the Council and Staff that the lumber costs have skyrocketed in the past year and Council should be aware of the need to review potential costs for the City Hall and Public Works facility. Councilmember Probst addressed the issue of equipment and exactly which equipment is owned by the City of Arden Hills. All Councilmembers were in agreement that they would like to review and have input into a Vehicle Replacement schedule outlining the equipment, dates they would need to be replaced and value of the equipment. Mayor Sather directed Mr. Winkel to bring back to Council a 1994 budget report outlining all issues addressed above and additional revenue sources. 1994 Budl!:et Issues - Road Improvement Priorities Public Works Superintendent Dan Winkel referred to his memo provided in the packet outlining the roads recommended for improvement in 1994. A request was made to Council to authorize a $4,000 expenditure to conduct a preliminary geotechnical study and report for the 1994 proposed reconstruction of roads. Review of Ramsev Countv Turnbacks . City Engineer Terry Maurer referred to his letter provided in the packet and outlined the issues addressed in the letter. Engineer Maurer commented if the County would recycle County Road F between Old Hwy. 10 and Mounds View High would only last 7- 8 years. County Road F, Stowe and Old Hwy 10 are all in need of reconstruction. Mayor Sather commented the need to remedy the drainage problems in the area before any reconstruction project. These roads have currently received a score of 90 on the City's rating system and Council would like to see Ramsey County honor the same rating system as the City. County Road F by the high school should include addressing drainage problems. Councilmember Probst addressed the issue of road improvement on Lake Johanna Blvd between Lake Lane and County Rd E. State Aid would not be available for this road as it does not meet the State criteria for aid. Councilmembers agreed they would like to see the County give the cities mileage for these roads proposed to be turned back. Mayor Sather directed Mr. Maurer to draft a letter for his signature to Ramsey County stating the city is interested in the county taking County Road F between Hamline and Lexington with no other turnbacks. In addition, the City is interested in other turnback roads, however, issues need to be addressed regarding the reconstruction of the roads in question. . Review of Final Draft of Developer's Al!reement - Cottage Villas of Arden Hills Community Planning Coordinator Brian Fritsinger along with Developer John Arkell and Carolyn Drude with Ehlers & Assoc. addressed the issues of concern of this final draft of the Developers agreement. Mr. Fritsinger explained that City Accountant Terry Post negotiated with the developer a 15 year TIF payment plan of $57,537 per year and . . . ( MINUTES OF THE ARDEN HILLS COUNCIL WORKSESSION 7/20/93 PAGE THREE the City shall retain $6,393 per year for administrative fees. This agreement is a "pay as you go" concept and no bonds would be issued. The City may endure a loss of HACA funding, but the developer has agree to reimburse the City for any losses that may occur. The developer agrees that the project will remain a senior housing complex. If the current developer would sell the property, the agreement stipulates the property will remain a senior housing complex. Councilmember Hicks referred to Page 3, #3.01 (d) and questioned what if the numbers become greater than the figures of $6,393 and $57,537? Ms. Person stated any monies would then roll into the General Fund. Mr. Arkell informed the Council that the development is currently 75% leased. Mr. Arkell thanked the Council for all their time and effort in supporting him with this project. Mayor Sather requested staff put this item on the July 26 Consent Calendar. Familv Violence Network. Budeet Reauest Mayor Sather asked City Administrator if the City has previously budgeted for requests of this type. Ms. Person stated she is not aware of this type of funding being granted in the past. Mayor Sather requested that the City Administrator draft a letter to this group stating that the City is sympathetic to their request, however, will be unable to assist them with funding. In addition it was suggested to note the local charities whom the City believes are in a better position to fund their request. Mayor Sather requested Ms. Person draft a policy statement addressing this type of request for future reference. Administrator Comments Ms Person noted to Council that is apparent that more direct staff involvement is needed with public hearings, rather than relying solely on consultants. This should result in more direct staff knowledge and hands-on experience of cases, resulting in lower consultant costs. Consultants will take on a more clean consultant role and this change will require more expertise by staff. Mayor Sather suggested and Council concurred to direct City Administrator to draft Rules & Procedures related to public hearings. Council Comments: Councilmember Probst briefed the Councilmembers on a meeting held on July 13 with Mike Fix from TCAAP, Ramsey County Public Works, the DNR, Ramsey County Parks, Environmental Groups, the National Guard and a Representative from the office of Bruce Vento and Dorothy Person. Councilmember Probst commented there was a common interest between all parties in what they would like to see happen on the property relating to open space and . . . I . MINUTES OF THE ARDEN HILLS COUNCIL WORKSESSION 7/20/93 PAGE FOUR recreational uses. He had strong concerns with the time it is taking to reach some type of agreement. There seems to be no time frame to reach any agreements. He also commented that the DNR is requesting various studies take place before any decisions are made. The National Guard is interested in this land, and there could be a possibility of the National Guard getting priority use of this land. If this would take place there is a possibility that the National Guard would sublet part of the land to the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County for a Public Works facility. The City Hall site may then have to be reconsidered. At this time, Councilmember Probst asked Council how long they are willing to wait for the Arsenal property. The direction of Council was that action needs to be taken within 1-3 years. Councilmember Probst informed the members he will not be in attendance at the July 26, 1993 Council meeting. Adjourn: Malone moved, seconded by Hicks to adjourn at 8:00 pm. Motion carried. (5-0). Dorothy A. Person, City Administrator