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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 02-20-1996 .. . . MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA . WORKSESSION FEBRUARY 20, 1996 . 4:30 P.M. - CITY HALL, PUBLIC WORKS LUNCHROOM CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL . Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Acting Mayor Beverly Aplikowski called to order the . City Council Worksession at 4:35 P.M. Present: Councilmembers Paul Malone and Dale Hicks; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Parks & Recreation Director, Cynthia Walsh; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; and Administrative Assistant, Shirley Evenson. . Mayor Dennis Probst and Councilmember Susan Keirn were absent. . ADOPT AGENDA: Motion: Councilmember Hicks moved and Councilmember Malone seconded the adoption . of the February 20, 1996, Worksession Agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously (3-0). .. MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA ITEMS Agenda Item 3a Valentine Hills Playground Request I Cindy Walsh, Parks & Recreation Director, shared that the Valentine Hills School PT A had requested a $10,000 contribution from Arden Hills to be used towards . the purchase of a proposed playground structure at the school. Under Council direction, the Parks & Recreation Committee reviewed the request . and recommended a $500 donation. Councilmember Malone indicated that the PTA of Valentine Hills school should . encourage private donations, such as, bake sales, fund drives, etc., rather than requesting contributions from the City. The Council suggested that $500.00 be contributed to Valentine Hills for their playstructure and directed Staff to place . this item on the Consent Calendar for action at the next regular meeting. Agenda Item 3b . Old Highwav 10 Improvements Mr. Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent, outlined the details of the . Old Highway 10 improvement schedule. Mr. Tim Mayasich and Mr. Dan Schacht from the Ramsey County Highway Department, also updated the Council regarding the County's plans and scheduling for the project. .. . '. Mr. Stafford mcntioned the significant number of breaks in thc 6 inch watermain . from County Road F to Valentine Road which havc occurred since July, 1995. .. He indicated this watermain should be replaced prior to the proposed overlay of Old Highway 10. The County indicated that they did not intend to begin work until later this . summer and if the City initiated improvements on the water main this spring or carly summer, it would not create a scheduling problem. The Council inquired if . any additional water main along this stretch of road is in need of replacement. Mr. Stafford indicated that records did not show any other problcm, but that Staff would look into the situation. . The County explained the project would involve the recycling ofthe road from Highway 96 to County Road F. The County does not intend to reconstruct the . road, but will break the existing concrete and place a new surface on top of the old material. Future solicitation ofISTEA grants can occur with County approval now that a plan is in place. . Mr. Briau Fritsinger, City Administrator, indicated that the Council needs to . consider whether or not it wishes to assess this project. This project and several other County projects may qualify for assessing under the City's current assessment policy. .. Mr. Fritsinger also indicated he had discussed the project with Councilmember Keim and Mayor Probst. Councilmember Keirn was opposed to assessing County I improvement projects. Mayor Probst had mentioned he would support the assessing of the project but would like the reconstruction of the street investigated. . Councilmembers present were supportive of investigating the use of assessments in the project and directcd Staff to prepare some information for future discussion. . The Council also took this opportunity to comment on the Cleveland Avenue Bridge repair. The Council comments indicated generally that they were in favor . of Alternate A, replacing the bridge. Agenda Item 3c . Council/Departmcnt Head Retreat Mr. Fritsinger indicated that the Retreat is scheduled for Friday, March I, from . 12:00 - 9:00 PM. The location is being confirmed with agenda and Staff/Council teams to be determined the week of February 19, with Mr. Fritsinger informing the Council at that time. . -. . .. . .- Agenda Item 3d Pre-Audit-Finance Department Mr. Terry Post, City Accountant, indicated that he had analyzed preliminary 1995 results with the results being a $31,000 erosion of the General Fund balance. A . primary reason for the deviation was an unexpected petition involving a tax settlement case which is still pending and resulted in a significant reduction in the December tax settlement. . Fortunately, revenues from building permits and licensing were much greater than . anticipated and when the savings from Staff salaries is taken into eonsideration, the deviation was significantly reduced. . Mr. Fritsinger also indicated that the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department has indicated that the City will once again receive a rebate for 1995 services. . Agenda Item 4 Department Head/Administrator Comments Mr. Post informed the Council that Ms. Celine Syfko has been hired to fill the . part-time Finance Clerk position. She will be working approximately 20 hours per week, with pro-rated vacation and sick benefits with health insurance being excluded. .. Mr. Fritsinger stated that a request from AT&T indicated the Company wanted to relocate antennas on the Fernwood water tower. Staff would like to . administratively approve the placement of new antennas on the base of the tank. The Council agreed and stated the proposal is similar to that shown on the original . plans. Mr. fritsinger also updated the Council on other antenna related issues. . Currently, four other companies are looking for antenna space on the water towers. Staff has had some conversations with other cities in regards to antenna placement and selection. The lease rates being charged to utility companies varies . from city to city. The Council should be prepared to discuss this subject in more detail at a future meeting. . Mr. Stafford indicated that he had several requests for a "No Left Turn" sign on Crystal Avenue. Mr. Jerry Filla, City Attorney, indicated to Mr. Stafford that a new sign should be installed, as too much information is on the current sign. This . problem is leading to people becoming confused by the sign. The Council members agreed, and requested that new signs replace existing signs in . the appropriate areas of Valentine and County Road F. Councilmember Aplikowski indicated that she will not be able to attend the Vento .- Town meeting scheduled on Saturday, due to a death in the family. Mr. Fritsinger indicted he would attend. . - ---------- .. Mr. Stafford updated the Council on the proposed Ramsey County Street . Improvement Project proposed for the intersection of Cleveland A venue and -. County Road D. The primary issue of concern is thc proposed Opticon System funding which would be the City's responsibility The Council indicated it thought the extension of the trail along Cleveland . Avenue to be appropriate. However, the Opticon system would not necessarily benefit Arden Hills as it would be locatcd at the intersection of Roseville, New . Brighton and Arden Hills. COlillCil indicated Staff should communicate to Ramsey County that it does not support the use of the Opticon System at this in tersecti on. . The meeting adjourned at 6:00 PM. . . . .. . . . . . . . -. .