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Home My WebLink AboutCCWS 09-16-1996 I I MINUTES f' eITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 4:30 P.M. - PUBLIe WORKS BUILDING LUNeHROOM I eALL TO ORDER/ROLL eALL I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Probst called to order the City Council Worksession at 4:35 p.m. Present were Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Dale Hicks and Paul Malone; City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne I Stafford; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; City Accountant, Terry Post; and Recording Secretary, Sheila Stowell, with Councilmember Beverly Aplikowski arriving at 4:38 p.m., and Councilmember Susan Keim I arriving at 5:10 p.m. eITY ISSUES - LONG TERM I a. Hi!!hwav 96 Project Update - Ramsey eounty Mayor Probst turned the meeting over to Mr. Jim Tolaas, Ramsey County Engineer, to provide an update of the Highway 96 Project to Councilmembers and I staff. Mr. Tolaas presented schematics and reviewed various environmental impacts due .. to existing contaminants from the TCAAP superfund site, and its relationship to the proposed construction and Hwy. 96 alignment. While the contaminants I appear to be bound and held by the soil, and are not continuing to flow through the storm water discharge, they do pose a potential threat to the Negative Environmental Impact Statement that Ramsey County is seeking for the entire I project. Mr. T olaas stated that the Arden Hills' section presented one of the more I challenging aspects ofthe Highway 96 construction project, partially due to the location ofthe frontage road, which impacted the design significantly. It was Mr. Tolaas' recommendation that the Council consider a shift in the alignment, taking I into consideration area amenities and proposed developments. The revised alignment would require the displacement of seventeen (17) mobile homes on the south side of the Arden Manor Mobile Home Park, which would be eligible for I funding through Ramsey County and the State of Minnesota. I Mayor Probst discussed future MN/DOT plans for 1-694 improvements, which prompted discussion ofthe intersection ofHwy. 10 and Highway 96, which according to Mr. Tolaas, is currently rated as an "F" as far as functioning capacity I is concerned. Discussion continued among the Couneilmembers regarding medians, channelization and other dimensions involved in the highway f' reconstruction project. I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - SEPTEMBER 16. 1996 2 ~ Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator, asked Mr. Tolaas how the realignment of the I highway would alfect the City's trail system in the area, with Mr. Tolaas responding that a ten foot shift would be necessitated. I In a related subject, Mayor Probst addressed the issue of sound walls. The realignment, and its related impact of this new design, could require construction of a noise wall. Mr. Tolaas sought the City's support of this concept, with costs I to be covered by State Aid funds. Discussion ensued regarding the positive and negative aspects of sound barriers, the need to protect the environment and noise I levels experienced by residents, while yet maintaining the integrity ofthe community as a whole. I Mr. Tolaas reviewed the criteria of the State of Minnesota, and reviewed the cost per decibel reduction per residence, and the total cost per residence. It was Mr. Tolaas' recommendation that the Council approve construction of a wall on both I sides of Prior A venue, but reminded the Council they would not need to make a decision on the wall at this time, as the subject will surface at the final design stages estimated for the fall of 1996. .. Mr. Tolaas asked Councilmembers and staffto review the County's proposals, and provide him with acceptable and/or unacceptable options from the City's I standpoint, as it affects the community and its citizens. Mr. Tolaas stated that the Public Hearing for the project was scheduled for October 16, 1996, and requested the City's official position within the next two weeks, and prior to the hearing. I Mayor Probst and Couneilmembers discussed upcoming scheduled regular I Council Meeting dates, and a time frame to provide citizens - and affected property owners - with as much information and input as possible prior to the County's Public Hearing date. I Staff was directed to contact the owner of Arden Manor Mobile Home Park as soon as possible, and to schedule an informational meeting with the public, I tentatively scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, September 25, 1996. Discussion continued in how best to reduce the displacement and relocation I impacts on the Mobile Home Park owner and residents, by shifting relocation over a two-year period, rather than waiting until closer to construction. I Discussion also continued regarding the bridge reconstruction, and how the City should best approach the funding issues involved. Mayor Probst directed staff to ~ schedule more discussion of this matter on a future meeting agenda. I ------- I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - SEPTEMBER l6. 1996 3 ~ b. Faeilities - Review RFP's I Mayor Probst requested a consensus of the Councilmembers as to their opinions from the Council for review of the Request for Proposals of a new City Hall facility, and options regarding interviewing times and the number of architectural I firms to interview from the five RFP's requested and received. Mayor Probst reiterated the Council's goal of completing the review by the end of Octo her, 1996 at the latest. I The consensus of the Council was to schedule all five firms for interviews during I one late afternoon and evening, and to allow 40 minutes for the interviews, with 20 minutes allowed for the respective firm's presentation and 20 minutes for Council questions and clarification. I Staff was directed to schedule interviews with the five firms, with interviews tentatively scheduled for October 14, 1996 at 1 hour intervals from 4:30 until I completion. c. Assessment of eity-Incurred eosts for eounty-Related Projects .. Mayor Probst postponed discussion of the assessment of City-incurred costs for County-related projects until the Public Safety and Works Committee had completed their review of the issues involved. I MISeELLANEOUS ITEMS Boulevard Tree Maintenance I Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh, requested direction from the Council on a concern expressed hy a resident regarding stress on boulevard trees due to the dry I weather and damage from vehicular accidents and snow plowing. Staff and Council discussed the past practice and the portion of the City Ordinance which reads that boulevard plantings hecome the responsibility of the property owners. Staff sought any I differing intent from previous Council discussions, and in particular, the Hamline Avenue construction area. I The citizen who brought this matter to staffs attention was seeking a formal response from the City. Staff was directed to review Council minutes regarding road construction on I-lamline A venue, and draft a letter of response accordingly to the concerned citizen. I Councilmembers respected the citizen's concerns, however cited the continuing lack of resources and time limitations of staff. I ~ I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - SEPTEMBER 16. 1996 4 ~ eounQ' Road F - Weekend Traffic Mishap I Council discussed the weekend vehicle accident involving the entrance to Valentine Park. Staff updated the Council on the information available to-date, and Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford, advised the Council he was in the process of I following-up with Ramsey County, and replacement of any City signage that was demolished. I Mayoralfeouncilmember Invitations Mayor Probst presented several invitations to various community functions for Council attendance in the Mayor's stead, due to his travel schedule. I Sign Ordinance - Political eampaign Signs I Councilmembers discussed the City's existing sign ordinance as it relates to political signage, and it was the consensus ofthe Council to leave the Ordinance as it currently stands. I ADJOURN Mayor Probst adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m. to host a barbequefpicnie in honor of the City's .. volunteer Committee persons and staff. I I I I I I I {' I