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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-26-1993 " . . . . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 26, 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 regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Thomas Sather; Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Paul Malone, Dennis Probst. Absent: Dale Hicks. Also present were: Clerk Administrator, Dorothy Person; City Accountant, Terry Post; Recording Secretary, Shar Foster. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Aplikowski moved, seconded by Probst, to adopt the April 26, 1993 agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). RECOGNITION OF EAGLE SCOUT SCOTT MCLEAN FERGUSON Mayor Sather read aloud Resolution No. 93-28 honoring Scott McLean Ferguson for his attaining Eagle Scout status based on earning 21 merit badges, and planning and directing a service project relating to installation and construction of benches, trail markers, waste receptacles and signage along the trail system in Arden Hills. Mayor presented Scott with a certificate and City of Arden Hills pin; all in attendance applauded. MOTION: Probst moved, seconded by Malone, to adopt Resolution No. 93-28 Honoring Eagle Scout Scott McLean Ferguson. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). PUBLIC HEARINGS PROGRAM MODIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT #1 & APPROVAL OF TIF PLAN FOR TIF DISTRICT #3 Mayor Sather opened the meeting at 7:32 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on Program Modification of Development District #1 and Approval of Tax Increment Financing Plan for Tax Increment Financing District #3. Administrator Person verified publication of the notice of hearing in the New Brighton Bulletin on Wednesday, April 14 and 21, 1993. . . . " Arden Hills Council April 26, 1993 2 Administrator Person reported that the City has received correspondence from Ramsey County advising of their general concerns regarding the creation of tax increment financing districts in Ramsey County. Mayor Sather stated that Carolyn Drude, Executive Vice President/Director of Ehlers and Associates (consultants to the City) would make a presentation, followed by input and questions from the Council and the public. Ms. Drude explained that the creation of TIP District No. 3 is being considered in order to provide financial assistance to Developer John Arkell to complete a proposed senior housing project called Cottage Lifestyles, which would include a 60-unit, two-story apartment building located on four parcels west of Cleveland Avenue, south of County Road E2 and north of Thorn Drive in the City of Arden Hills. Drude added that the project would not be possible without tax increment financing, and the developer plans to finance the project and be reimbursed through TIP per a developer's agreement, She added that the City is not proposing any bonds for this project. The Council, having discussed this matter at length on previous occasions, had no questions. When invited, there were no questions from the public. The public hearing was closed at 7:37 p.m. Action was taken under "Unfinished and New Business". APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Aplikowski, to approve the minutes of the April 12, 1993 Regular Council Meeting as prepared. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Probst to approve the Consent Calendar and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). a, Approve Agreement with MWCC & 550 Association (Arden Manor Trailer Park owners) for payment of SAC charges. Approve 1993 Approve List Approve List b. c . d. Contract for Tree/Stump of Business Licenses. of Claims/Payroll. Removal. . . . " Arden Hills Council 3 April 26, 1993 PUBLIC COMMENTS Lucia Miklas, 1696 Chatham Avenue, voiced her concern about the recent utility bill increases, which raised her bill by 25%. She stated that she had received the notice of the impending increase, but did not believe it would affect her. Miklas asked what constitutes the increase, and if the City is looking at the financial management of the fund. Councilmember Malone responded saying that, as liaison to the Finance Committee, he is aware that the fund is being watched closely. Malone explained that the City pays the MWCC for sewer service on a per gallon basis, and that amount has raised from $385,000 in 1990, to $449,000 in 1991, to $518,000 in 1992, and is expected to be $546,000 in 1993. He added that such an increase is substantial and must be passed on to the customer. Malone reported that the City's sewer fund has been "in the red" for two years because the City has been charging less than what is needed to balance the fund. He said the fund's cash balance has been providing subsidy, but now that cash balance has dropped to a point where it can no longer provide that subsidy. Miklas asked why the MWCC has such significant increases. Malone said he can't speak to that matter directly, but knows that there are substantial pollution control measures the MWCC must undertake. City Accountant Post added that the MWCC has also expanded their plant and operations and opened new interceptors, and those capital costs are being spread amongst the user base. Miklas asked why the City does not charge a per gallon rate. Malone said that matter has been discussed, but such action would require a means of measuring/metering sewer use and it would be difficult to administer. He said contribution to sewer outflow oftentimes is in direct correlation with water use, but that is not so in instances where a large volume of water is used for lawn sprinkling or pools, etc. He stated that large commercial users are charged on the basis of volume and content of sewage. Miklas said her main objection is that, as a single person in her household, she is charged the same as a large family would be charged. She added that she has experienced mismanagement and waste in government, and is concerned that . . . Arden Hills Council Ap d I 26, I 993 4 things such as utilities and taxes are getting so high while citizen's incomes are not keeping up. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS MODIFICATION OF ORIGINAL BERM EDGEWATER ESTATES - PAUL KELEHER Administrator Person drew attention to a map, dated March 24, 1993, of Edgewater Estates at the corner of Brueberry Lane and parkshore Drive which incorporates previous Council and Planning commission discussions. Person noted that the map calls for drainage in front of unit 1672, and lowering of the berm in front of unit 1676 to accommodate a resident who is in a wheelchair and has requested improved visibility. Person reported that the Planning Commission has approved the modifications to the berm if the issues of height and accessibility to sanitary sewer easement are resolved between the affected homeowners and the City Engineer and the Public works Superintendent. Person advised that those issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Engineer and Public Works Superintendent by an agreement by the Townhome Association to incorporate into their by-laws the understanding that the Townhome Association will be responsible for maintaining or replacing landscaping in drainage and utility easements if the City is required to perform utility maintenance work within the easements. Councilmember Probst stated that this matter has been before the Planning Commission for quite some time, originally prompted by the fact that the berm was not built according to the original plan. He stated that the action proposed would now take care of the issues of drainage and responsibility for landscaping in the event of utility maintenance work in the easement. Counci1member Malone asked if the culvert noted on the March 24, 1993 map will remain in place. Person replied that the culvert is planned to remain for additional drainage purposes. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed concern that perhaps the City needs to make an even better effort to follow up on developments to assure that what has been promised is actually accomplished. . . . , Arden Hills Council 5 April 26, 1993 MOTION: Probst moved, seconded by Malone, to approve berm modifications for Edgewater Estates, as outlined on the map dated March 24, 1993, subject to written evidence that the Townhome Association agrees to be responsible for maintenance and replacement of landscaping in the drainage and utility easements in the event the City is required to perform utility maintenance work within the easement. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). RESOLUTION NO. 93-29 - PROGRAM MODIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT #1 & APPROVAL OF TIF PLAN FOR TIF DISTRICT #3 A public hearing regarding this matter was conducted earlier during this evening's meeting. MOTION: Malone moved, seconded by Sather, to adopt Resolution 93-29 Relating To Development District No.1, Tax Increment Financing District No.3; Adopting An Amendment To The Development Program And Approving A Tax Increment Financing plan Therefor And The Execution And Delivery Of Certain Documents In Connection Therewith. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). COUNCIL COMMENTS TRAILERS AT NORTH HEIGHTS CHURCH Councilmember Malone said he has observed that trailers, which have been parked on the southerly part of the North Heights Church property, have recently been moved to another location on the property. He suggested staff check into whether the trailers should be there. UTILITY RATES Councilmember Malone reported that st. Paul Water Utility, from which the City purchases water, is in the process of establishing a 24% increase for summer water rates and a l4% increase for winter water rates. He added that there is a strong recommendation that the City follow suit by implementing rates with a differential rate structure. Administrator Person reported that several residents have contacted the City in this regard and are interested in attending the May 10, 1993 Council meeting. . . . Arden Hills Council 6 Apri 1 26, 1993 PUBLIC WORKS/SAFETY UPDATE Councilmember Aplikowski reported that the Public Works and Safety Committee has discussed whether an additional City committee should be established, and have concluded that such action is not necessary. She added that the Committee discussed areas of conservation, recycling, crime watch, etc., and noted that there is not much being done in the area of civil defense. She reported that Bill Gillies has volunteered to head civil defense efforts. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE UPDATE Councilmember Probst reported that he attended his first meeting with the Human Rights Committee and found them to be a clearly dedicated group of people, however, because of changes at the State level, the focus and direction of the group has changed, and the Committee and Council may wish to reconsider their mission statement. He suggested that the matter of their mission statement, focus and direction be placed on the next Council worksession agenda. HARSTAD PROPERTY Mayor Sather recognized and introduced Marty Harstad in the audience. Sather reported that it has come to the attention of the City that Mr. Harstad has a "small window of opportunity" to develop a 64-unit townhome facility at the current City Hall site if the City is interested in a land swap. Council and Harstad discussed the possible land swap which would entail trading the current City Hall 7-acre property plus additional cash (the figure to be negotiated) in exchange for Harstad's 9.9 acre parcel at the southwest corner of Round Lake. Harstad explained that he is under a deadline to make a decision as to whether he will develop the current City Hall property as his next project. He said he would be willing to facilitate the vacation of the City Hall property in a staged timeline to allow the City time to get the Harstad property ready for City use. He showed a concept plan for the development of the current City Hall property, and a map of the Harstad property. Council and Harstad discussed what amount of additional cash would be an agreeable amount to make the land swap. During the brief discussion, the parties were unable to come to an mutually agreeable range. . . . < ~ ... Arden Hills Council 7 April 26, 1993 Councilmembers Malone and Probst questioned whether the appraisal figures are an accurate reflection of the properties and the potential uses of the properties. Probst reminded Council that the City's first choice of property for a new City Hall is still under consideration but there is no commitment yet. Council briefly discussed the hurdles which would need to be addressed relating to price negotiation, new appraisals, property rezoning, access issues, availability of tax increment financing, vacation of the current City Hall property, etc. Sather commented that he would be interested in further negotiations to see if the price issue could be negotiated to a mutually agreeable amount. ADJOURN MOTION: Probst moved, seconded by Aplikowski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. Motion carried unanimously (4-0). Thomas R. Sather, Mayor Dorothy A. Person, Clerk Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS: The next regular Council meeting will be held May 10, 1993 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The next Council worksession will be held May 18, 1993 at 4:30 p.m.