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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-25-R --A DI�EN HILLS Appro\cd: September 8, 2025 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 11, 2025 7:00 P.M.- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Tena Monson, Emily Rousseau and Kurt Weber Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Jessica Jagoe; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen; Finance Director Joua Yang; and Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried (5- 2. TCAAP/RICE CREEK COMMONS UPDATE City Administrator Jagoe stated the JDA held a work session on August 0. Rick Carter from LHB provided several sustainability updates. He shared with Commissioners that they are just about ready to submit for the precertification of LEED for Communities. He noted that there is only 1 other platinum level project in the United States. He mentioned that this is a "planning certification" so not the LEED certification for the building construction. He said this planning certification is an "attraction" to development for the public, developers, and builders. County staff shared that the coordination meetings with Xcel are ongoing for their Thermal Energy Network Demonstration pilot project and that they've met with the Department of Commerce on the awarded Geothermal Planning Grant funds of approximately $73,000. With the grant monies Ever Green Energy's analysis work will include test bores on site for geologic conditions for geothermal and a design for geothermal district system on the Spine Road. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 2 The JDA discussed solicitation questions they had identified at their July meeting. JDA staff provided an overview of the different roles of a developer, such as a vertical developer who might complete a specific product type for the construction such as a builder for single family homes, multi-family housing, or commercial, or a land developer that focuses on horizontal construction, or a lead developer who then coordinates those sub-developers who have expertise in the different areas of construction for the site. Staff noted that it would take coordination between the County and City to determine feasibility if the JDA was interested in knowing more about a scenario where the JDA acts as the lead developer for seeking those development partners for the site. Commissioners requested that staff start to prepare a list of what those discussion items are for their respective parties. Staff agreed to bring this list forward at a future JDA meeting for additional discussion. The JDA had consensus that they'd like to proceed with a Request for Information. This is a process that can be used to gauge interest from developers and gather information on market topics such as best practices, industry standards, pricing, or technology. Staff will be assembling more information and the scope of an RFI for additional discussion at the September JDA meeting. JDA staff will need to work through this process to identify the types of questions that would be asked in the RFI. Lastly, Commissioners discussed hosting a community event and directed staff to research the idea of creating a virtual series on Rice Creek Commons that could be topic-specific. Participants could register to attend a webinar series, but then these could also be saved on the Rice Creek Commons website for people to go back later and watch. Neither Advisory Committee has met since the last Council meeting. The next JDA meeting will be held Tuesday, September 9a'due to the Labor Day holiday. Councilmember Holden asked why the City's Attorney was spending so much time on TCAAP at this time. City Administrator Jagoe explained the City Attorney was attending both closed and open meetings where TCAAP discussion was being held, to ensure the City was being properly protected and represented. Mayor Grant commented on the recovery formula for TCAAP and inquired if the City had been properly reimbursed for expenses for the 42 acres that was currently being developed. City Administrator Jagoe reported the TCAAP development professional charge was written into the fee schedule to assist with recovering the City's expenses. She indicated the City had charged the Micro Control project for the 10 acres that was currently being developed. She stated the remaining 32 acres would be charged the same fee when a development project comes forward to the City. Mayor Grant questioned how much Micro Control was charged to develop the 10 acres in TCAAP. City Administrator Jagoe indicated the fee was $2,743 per acre or$27,430. Mayor Grant reported if TCAAP is 427 acres and the thumb parcel was 42 acres, this was approximately 10% of the project. He explained that the developer, Alatus, had agreed to reimburse the City $1 million and through the proposed fee, the City would only be reimbursed ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 3 approximately $500,000. He requested staff provide the City Council with further information on the TCAAP development professional charge that was written into the fee schedule. City Administrator Jagoe stated she would provide the Council with further information on this fee. Mayor Grant inquired if the County or the City would be paying for the trail. He explained he would like the City to be reimbursed if the City paid this expense. He stated the trunk utilities and sub-trunk utilities were to be constructed when a development site is approved by the JDA and the developer was to participate in the extension of the public improvements. He read further language within the JPA and asked if the County was acting as the developer at this time. Councilmember Monson stated the JDA spoke about this topic at their last meeting and staff would be investigating this further. Mayor Grant reported that the JPA states that if the County wants to put a road in prior to development occurring, the Council would have to agree to this. Councilmember Weber stated it was his understanding an agreement had to be reached between the prospective developer and the JDA. Councilmember Monson commented she would like further information from the JDA attorney on this matter. Mayor Grant believed it would benefit both the City and the County to go by the language within the JPA and as this moves forward that this language be clearly defined for both parties. He recommended a new planning effort be considered for the TCAAP site and suggested this topic be brought to the JDA. He reported if the City were to pursue this, he wanted to be assured the City would be reimbursed for this work. Councilmember Weber reported the City being reimbursed was a very high priority to him. Councilmember Holden stated the City Council spent almost a year making sure the JPA was as clear as possible and the Mayor was bringing up this concern to ensure the City was properly protected and that the City's costs were being reimbursed. She questioned if the developer had a timeline for the other 32 acres within the thumb parcels. City Administrator Jagoe indicated she would have to verify the purchase and sale agreement timeline. Mayor Grant reported he was of the opinion now was the time for the Council to be asking questions regarding TCAAP, even if these questions were difficult to answer. He requested a copy of the JPA be placed in the next JDA packet. Councilmember Monson clarified for the record that she has read the JPA but indicated she did not have it in front of her at this time so she could not review it at this moment. She suggested the JPA be provided to the City Council in a packet for future reference. Councilmember Rousseau explained she would like to receive a copy of the JPA. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 4 City Administrator Jagoe commented she could provide the JPA to the City Councilmembers. Councilmember Holden indicated she believed she had the right to ask questions, whether or not this was about the JPA, during this portion of the meeting. City Administrator Jagoe stated she could also leave a copy of the JPA at the dais for future reference for the Councilmembers. Councilmember Rousseau explained she had a resident reach out to her requesting that if the JDA Chair was unable to attend, that the Planning Commission Chair serve as Chair for one meeting. Councilmember Holden reported the City has a JDA Vice Chair designated for this position. Councilmember Weber recommended this be looked into further. Mayor Grant read the JDA bylaws language noting the JDA Board Vice Chair shall be a member appointed by the County. Councilmember Monson stated there would be a different balance between the City and the County if the JDA Chair was not able to attend a meeting. City Administrator Jagoe explained the JDA bylaws state the Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the absence of the Chair. 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL None. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 5. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS None. 6. STAFF COMMENTS A. Transportation Update Public Works Director Swearingen reported the fog sealing was complete for the 2025 Street Maintenance Program. Public Works Director Swearingen stated Ramsey County was completing a reclamite process on Old Highway 10. He indicated the project would take nine business days to complete. Councilmember Rousseau asked if the City had three different companies interested in installing fiber in the community as part of the 2026 street project. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 5 Public Works Director Swearingen indicated the City has interested private utilities that would install fiber utilities. He anticipated only one company was in a position to do so for the 2026 street project. Councilmember Rousseau stated it was her hope that fiber would be installed as part of this improvement project. Councilmember Holden commented there were still a lot of questions being raised regarding the 2026 street project. She encouraged residents to take the time to complete the survey regarding the proposed improvement project. Councilmember Weber explained the Council should review the fee schedule prior to fiber being installed in the community. Mayor Grant reported he received a card in the mail regarding the parks, trails and open space survey. He questioned how long the survey was open for. Councilmember Monson stated it was her understanding the survey was open until August 11. She recommended this deadline be extended. She suggested a link for the survey be provided on the front page of the City's website. City Administrator Jagoe reported a link had been provided on the front page of the City's website. She indicated she would have to verify what the survey deadline was. Councilmember Rousseau clarified the survey deadline was August 18. City Administrator Jagoe commented that staff would update the deadline information on the City's website. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 10, 2025, Special City Council B. July 14, 2025, Special City Council Work Session C. July 14 , 2025, Regular City Council MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the July 10, 2025, Special City Council meeting minutes as presented, the July 14, 2025, Special City Council Work Session meeting minutes as presented; and the July 14, 2025, Regular City Council meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried (5-0). 8. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Approve Appointment of Community Development Director C. Motion to Approve Resolution 2025-053 Establishing a Committee and Appointing Members—75th Anniversary Planning Committee D. Motion to Approve 2025-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement Amendment — IUOE 49 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 6 E. Motion to Approve Amended Planned Unit Development Agreement — 4200 Round Lake Road—Gateway Interstate—Planning Case 24-020 F. Motion to Approve T-Mobile Lease Agreement Amendment No. 1 (North Tower) G. Motion to Approve August 23 City Recycling Day Agreements with Ramsey County and Freimuth H. Motion to Approve Appointment of Building Official (Bench Handout) MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Monson seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried (5_0). 9. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 10. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS None. 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 13. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Rousseau thanked the Planning Commission for all of their efforts on the City's zoning code. Councilmember Rousseau stated she received a communication from a resident requesting the City consider planting a tree for the Hortmans. Councilmember Rousseau reported she hoped to see everyone at Cummings Park at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14 for the community picnic. She thanked the Lions for their continued support of the community. Councilmember Weber explained the Planning Commission met last week and discussed the chicken keeping ordinance. He noted the item was tabled due to a number of amendments that were being considered by the Planning Commission. Councilmember Weber stated he received an email from a young resident who brought to his attention a proclamation that the City of Shoreview had issued back in May regarding the safety of immigrants and human rights. This resident asked if Arden Hills would be willing to issue a similar proclamation. He then read the statement that was issued by the City of Shoreview in full for the record. He commented he supported the City of Arden Hills making a statement. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 7 Councilmember Holden reported she made it to 10 Night to Unite neighborhood parties this year. Councilmember Holden stated the Rotary's Taste of Hops and Vines event would be held on Tuesday, August 14 at Snail Lake Park at 5:00 p.m. Councilmember Monson commented she met with Councilmember Holden to discuss the City's 75a' anniversary celebration. Councilmember Monson stated she supported the City planting a tree for the Hortman family and that she also supported the City making a statement regarding immigrants. Councilmember Monson explained she would like the City Council to have a conversation on how to get public hearing notices and other important information to residents in a timely and efficient manner. Councilmember Monson indicated she attended a handful of neighborhood parties on Night to Unite. Mayor Grant stated on his recent ride along with Ramsey County he learned loose pets are able to be scanned by deputies in order to learn who the owners are. He encouraged pet owners in the community to microchip their pets. Mayor Grant indicated he attended a number of neighborhood parties on Night to Unite where he received a lot of questions regarding TCAAP. Mayor Grant welcomed Jake Reilly and Chris Chandler to the City of Arden Hills. Mayor Grant urged residents to recycle their organics. Mayor Grant reported the 911 policy dispatch committee meeting was canceled for this month. Mayor Grant commented he would support planting a tree for the Hortman family. Councilmember Weber indicated he supported planting a tree for the Hortman family as well. Consensus of the Council was to direct staff to draft an immigrant statement and that this language be forwarded to the City Council for consideration prior to approval at a Council meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—AUGUST 11, 2025 8 ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Rousseau seconded a motion to adiourn. The motion carried (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:03 p.m. -- JU44 Hanson David Grant City Clerk Mayor