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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 11-12-1996 MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA ..... REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - NOVEMBER 12, ]996 7:30 P.M. - ARMY RESERVE CENTER CALL TO ORDERfROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p,m, Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Susan Keirn, and Paul Malone, Absent: None, Also present were: City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; City Accountant, Terry Post; ~ Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; Parks & Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; City Engineers Greg Stonehouse and Terry Maurer; Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell; and Recording ~ Secretary, Carla Wirth. - Mayor Probst congratulated Councilmembers Paul Malone and Beverly Aplikowski on their reelection. He announced Arden Hills experienced a 73% voter turnout wbich exceeded both State and Federal percentages. Mayor Probst acknowledged other candidates and their campaigns, and encouraged them to continue to participate in the local government process, ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the November 12, ] 996, Regular City Council meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 28, ]996, Regular Council Meeting ~ Correcting the eighth paragraph of page 8 to indicate: "The Council requested staff call the County to encourage expedient completion." November 6, ]996, Special Council Meeting - No Corrections. -- ~ ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12, 1996 2 ..... - MOTION: Malone moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the October 28, 1996, Regular Council Meeting minutes as corrected and the November 6, 1996, Special Council Meeting minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll MOTION: Malone moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), - - PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mayor Probst invited the audience to address the Council on any issue not already on the agenda, ii There were no public comments, . UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS Ie A. Resolution #96-63, Electing to Participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program Under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act I Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director, noted the Council determined last year to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Liveable I Communities Act and the participation allowed the receipt of a $300,000 grant to Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc, and a $10,000 matching grant to the City to analyze water infiltration problems in the City's sanitary sewer system, Currently, the City is attempting to obtain various grants in I 1997 to assist in the collaborative efforts of the 1-35W Coalition, I Mr. Ringwald advised the Council is asked to adopt Resolution #96,63, Electing to Participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act for the calendar year of 1997, He explained this resolution is required if the Council I determines that its continued participation in the Liveable Communities Program is appropriate. Mr. Ringwald advised that one change is the requirement for the City to actually incur cost in this area during 1997; however, the cost is negligible and stafI supports the City's continued I involvement. He noted the Affordable and Life-cycle Housing Opportunities Amount (ALHOA) is the dollar amount which needs to be expended to support or assist the development of affordable and life-cycle housing or maintain existing affordable housing in the City. I Mayor Probst inquired regarding the option of in-kind services, Mr. Ringwald explained this .. will depend on what is being proposed and staff is researching what will qualify (TCAAP, 1900 Edgewater). Mayor Probst asked if continued planning activities for TCAAP, which has a potential for housing, would qualify, Mr. Ringwald answered it may qualify. I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12 1996 3 - Councilmember Aplikowski asked ifthe funds can be used to make Code repairs to homes so residents can live in their homes longer. Mr. Ringwald answered affirmatively, I Councihnember Malone noted this is a small amount and suggested it be established as a revolving loan program to obtain better leverage and the ability to help more residents. I Councilmember Keirn inquired regarding the Arden Manor situation, Mr. Ringwald explained if the City is actively involved in relocating, it would probably result in a credit. I Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator, explained the difficulty with Arden Manor is that the project itself will negatively impact the goal of increasing affordable housing so there will be I somcwhat of a tradeoff. I Mayor Probst stated if the program will result in expending funds, he supports researching the possibility of establishing a revolving fund as suggested by Councilmember Malone. He commented on several areas within Arden Hills which could be considered for assistance, I Mr. Fritsinger advised that Arden Hills will be participating with other communities in the prioritization of Ramsey County Block Grant Funds and the City could encourage release of Ie funds on a prorata basis or that they emphasize housing rehab with an emphasis on affordable housing, I Councilmember Malone noted the City has never been successful in extracting CDBG funds from Ramsey County and suggested that option be considered, Mr. Ringwald and Mr. Fritsinger advised of upcoming meetings with Ramsey County regarding CDBG funding and that the City I will express a desire for use of a portion of those funds within Arden Hills, MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #96-63, I Electing to Participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program Under the Metropolitan Liveable Communities Act. The motion carried unanimously (5- I 0), B. Resolution #96-66, Setting the Goals for Participation in the Local Housing I Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Liveable Communities Act Mr, Ringwald advised the Council is asked to adopt Resolution #96-66, setting the goals for I participation in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Liveable Communities Act. He explained this resolution sets the actual goals for the City to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program and there are no changes to the goals identified I for 1997, He noted that staff recommends participation on a year-to-year basis until the Land Use Plan for TCAAP is completed, Mr. Ringwald updated the Council regarding staffs .. conversation with Ramsey County staff about recommended goals. I 1 1 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12.1996 4 - Councilmember Malone inquired regarding the status of TCAAP houses, Mr Fritsinger updated the Council regarding efforts to continue the process of environmental review. asbestos review, 1 and that additional environmental study of some homes needs to be conducted, He advised it is hoped that within a year, the homes will be demolished or removed. 1 MOTION: Malone moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #96-66, Setting the Goals for Participation in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act. The motion carried 1 unanimously (5-0). C. Resolution #96-62, Receiving Preliminary Report and Ordering Publie Hearing, 1 1997 Street Improvements 1 Greg Stonehouse, City Engineer, advised a feasibility report has been prepared for the 1997 Street Improvement Project. He stated the 1997 Street Improvement Project is feasible and then reviewed the list of streets to be reconstructed with concrete curb and gutter, streets to be 1 reclaimed where existing curb and gutter is salvaged, streets to be milled and overlaid, and streets to be sealcoated as a form of routine street maintenance. It was noted that bituminous reclamation is an effort to reduce costs. Ie Mr. Stonehouse presented an overhead depicting a cross section of streets proposed for reconstruction and provided a detailed explanation of each, He noted tbe report addresses a total I project cost of $709,000 which is significantly higher than previous years' street projects completed without the assistance ofMSAS dollars. Mr. Stonehouse advised that since Colleen A venue intersects at almost a 90 degree angle with McClung Drive, it does not qualify to be -I dedicated as an MSAS street for use of those funds, Mr. Stonehouse reviewed proposed assessment rates for the various types of construction and 1 explained that the cost per front foot for complete restoration is higher than previous assessments since the Hamline A venue railroad crossing is included. He suggested this be addressed at a 1 public meeting to obtain input and also to determine if Bethel College is interested in participating, It was noted if the Council determines to not pursue these options, the rate should be reduced to a level more consistent with historical rates, I Mr. Stonehouse noted Resolution #96-62, Receiving the Preliminary Report and Ordering Public Hearing in the matter of the 1997 Street Improvement Project, is being presented for 1 consideration, He then reviewed the anticipated time schedule for the 1997 Street Project. Mayor Probst inquired regarding the budget for this project, Terry Post, City Accountant, -I reviewed the amount included in the general fund budget and the Permanent Improvement Revolving fund (PIR) budget at this time, He noted at this point in time, there is $481,000 in net if expenditures in the PIR fund but it was anticipated that MSAS would make up the overall project shortfall. However, it has now been determined that Colleen A venue does not qualify for MSAS funding, -I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12. 1996 5 .. Relative to the list of streets being presented for prioritization, Mayor Probst asked what should be eliminated to bring the project within the budget of$560,000, Mr, Fritsinger advised the I Council could eliminate all reconstruction and reclamation proj ects for 1997. Mr. Post pointed out that since only one side of Ham line and Snelling frontage roads are I assessable, reconstruction work on those two streets will likely always be from a deficit position, Councilmember Malone noted that when the Council established the Assessment Policy, it had in I mind the fact that the interest received on outstanding assessments could be leveraged for other projects, He inquired regarding the status of this fund. Mr. Post reported the PIR fund has grown from that and other contributing aspects. He advised it has also been assumed that each I project may not be exactly funded (some may be over and others under). Councilmember Malone stated if interest payments for streets have accumulated, he would support using those I funds for reconstruction projects rather than eliminating them from the 1997 work plan. Mayor Probst noted the Council has tried recently to keep reconstruction activities within an area I of the City, Mr. Stonehouse advised that the geographic location for seal coat work is not as critical as with reconstruction projects, He noted that page 10 of the feasibility report indicates those costs, Ie Mayor Probst stated the Council had previously determined to notify the public of street work being proposed and a year ago, the City had presented two years of projects, This information I helps residents understand what they will be facing, He suggested the City again forecast two years of candidate streets so residents are not suddenly notified that their street is included in the project. Mr. Fritsinger explained the intention is to continue the five-year plan as previously I discussed. Mayor Probst stated he is concerned about taking on this much effort if it will "dig deeply" into I the PIR Fund, unless there are funds from previous years to utilize, He expressed the need to keep the program to a manageable standpoint, I Councilmember Hicks requested additional information about the Hamline A venue railroad crossing, Mr, Stonehouse advised it is included in the dollar amount indicated and if excluded, it I will reduce the assessment by 6,5% to 7%, or $20,000 to $25,000 from the total project cost. Councilmember Hicks stated he believes this is quite expensive for an emergency crossing and suggested staff continue to research funding options, I Mayor Probst asked if the Soo Line Railroad has been contacted about participation. Mr. Stonehouse advised the work will require a permit. Mr, Fritsinger advised staff discussed how to I effectively create an emergency crossing and get Bethel College to participate, He advised an existing difficulty is that the road does not end in a cul-de-sac and creating an emergency access .. would assist with safety and snow removal. I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12. 1996 6 .. Councilmember Malone commented on past resident complaints about sewer odors in this neighborhood, Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent, stated the City has recently I received similar complaints and believe it is due to the sewage sitting within the Bethel lift station and force main too long causing the sewage to become odorous. He updated the Council regarding activities which have been attempted to resolve those problems, He stated the worst I case scenario would be to add a chlorinator to the lift station which would add chlorine to the waste water at the Bethel location. Mr, Stafford stated videos were previously made of this segment of the sewer line and he is not aware of any problems with the Arden Hills sewer lines I in this area, Councilmember Aplikowski stated if funding is a problem, perhaps the City should not attempt I two streets like Hamline and Snelling Avenues in the same year. She suggested Hamline Avenue be deleted from the 1997 Street Project. I Councilmember Malone asked why Fernwood Avenue qualified as MSAS but Colleen Avenue does not. Terry Maurer, City Engineer, explained the State's guidelines for making this I determination and that, perhaps, the MSA District Engineer considered Fernwood as two separate streets but that Colleen A venue is a continuation of the same street. He suggested the City determine where to designate its remaining MSA mileage. Ie Councilmember Malone asked staff to determine the amount of interest that has been accrued on street improvement assessments in the PIR fund, to assist Council in making a determination on I the scope of 1997 Street Improvement projects. Mr. Stafford recommended that if Hamline Avenue is constructed but the railroad crossing I excluded, a turn around be installed, Councilmember Malone indicated support to eliminate the emergency access. Mayor Probst I concurred and commented on the amount of activity which could be anticipated during Bethel campus activities, I Mr. Stonehouse advised the proposal includes break-away gates on the railroad crossing so it would appear to be inaccessible, I MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #96-62, Receiving Preliminary Report and Ordering Public Hearing, 1997 Street I Improvements, The motion carried unanimously (5-0), Mayor Probst requested staff be prepared to identify projects beyond 1997 at the public hearing I and inquired regarding public notification, Mr. Fritsinger reviewed the procedure of last year to simply indicate the projects and year scheduled, He suggested this information, once it is .. determined, be included in the newsletter. I . -. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL, NOVEMBER 12.1996 7 .- D. 1997 LMC and AMM Policy Adoption Conference and Legislative Policies I Mr, Fritsinger advised the City has received a copy of the 1997 Cities Policies as proposed by the LMC Policy Committees and Board of Directors, He stated he will attend the meeting on behalf of the City and requested input from the Council as to prioritization, Mr. Fritsinger suggested . the AMM Policy be discussed first, Mr. Fritsinger reviewed the staffs recommendation for policy priority, A lengthy discussion . ensued regarding the various policies and how they should be prioritized to best reflect the interests of Arden Hills, - . Mr, Fritsinger noted the League policies are similar to those of AMM but the League represents cities as a whole statewide, . Mayor Probst suggested one of the top policies be LE-I2, Adequate Funding for Transportation, which will be the underlying issue with potentia! improvements of highway corridors based on -. anticipated funding levels, He noted the I-35W corridor is not identified for any improvements, He also suggested LE'13, State Aid for Urban Road Systems, and LE-15, Turnbacks for County and State Roads. Mayor Probst indicated that two other issues of importance are LE-7, Growth -Ie Management and Annexation, and LE-2, Property Tax Reform and TIF. Councilmember Aplikowski agreed with a high priority on tax refonn and also supported FF-3, I Circuit Breaker and Targeting on the Property Tax Statement, LE-12, Adequate Funding for Transportation, SD'4, Environmental Protection, and SD-8, City Costs for Enforcing State and Loca! Laws, I Councilmember Hicks noted in the past, the City has identified Unfunded Mandates as a priority but he believes the topics mentioned by Mayor Probst are probably a higher priority, I Councilmember Malone concurred and noted the League usually closely watches unfunded mandates, I With regard to LE-7, Councilmember Keim questioned whether planning responsibilities would stay with the City and not go to the State, Mayor Probst advised this issue also talks about Met I Council's authority and implies serious consideration about putting controls on development. Councilmember Malone suggested a higher priority may be FF-8, Payments for Services to Tax- Exempt Property, since about 50% of Arden Hills' acreage is tax-exempt property, ~ - - I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12,1996 8 .. Following further discussion, a consensus was reached to prioritize LMC policies as follows: I LE-12 Adequate Funding for Transportation FF-I Property Tax Reform LE-15 Turnbacks of County and State Roads I FF-8 Payments for Services to Tax-Exempt Property LE-7 Growth Management and Annexation I Councilmember Aplikowski indicated support for including SD,4, Environmental Protection. Mr. Fritsinger stated staff will review the AMM policy and create a list parallel to these topics, I He reiterated that he will attend the LMC policy meeting and asked if any Councilmembers were available to attend the AMM policy meeting. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she is able to attend, I ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS I Mr. Fritsinger updated the Council regarding upcoming meetings with MN/DOT regarding the TSP and the I-35W Coalition, .. Mr. Fritsinger reported that the health insurance premium renewal notice was just received and indicates an increase of9.2% for 1997, This increase will primarily be paid by higher staff I payroll deductions. Mr, Fritsinger advised one outstanding assessment appeal remains which has not been resolved; I so an appraiser will be used to help with discussions, Mr. Fritsinger advised Ms. Walsh had an opportunity to discuss the Tony Schmidt Park I improvement project with Mr, Mack, Ramsey County Parks Director, and it appears to be a status quo situation, Mr, Fritsinger suggested staff draft a letter to the new Ramsey County I Commissioner, Tony Bennett, and suggest Mr. Bennett and Mr. Mack meet to discuss that issue with the Council. Council concurred, I Mr. Fritsinger provided an in-depth review of the community survey prepared by Decision Resources based on conversation with staff and offered his recommendations regarding the proposed 150 questions, He also suggested that the number of questions be reduced by about I fifty. The Council reviewed each of the questions and provided direction to staff as to whether each I was acceptable or should be rephrased, relocated, or removed, The Council determined that the questions should deal with the "hard issues" and help them with the strategic prioritization process and provide committees with strong goals, ..~ ..... I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12. 1996 9 .. Councilmember Keirn stated she believes the survey should reflect how the City communicates with residents, . Councilmember Aplikowski advised residents have indicated to her their concern with the Assessment Policy in regard to timing of payments (either within 30 days or five years). Mr. . Post indicated this is not correct and there is a full range of payment options, He explained the 30-day prepayment option exists as an opportunity to not incur interest costs, Councilmember Aplikowski suggested this topic be placed on a future agenda for discussion, . With regard to the demographic questions, the Council indicated no objection if Decision Resources wants to include them at no cost to the City, Mr. Fritsinger stated once the questions I have been finalized, the survey will be conducted in late November or early December. COUNCIL COMMENTS I Councilmember Hicks requested an update on 1900 Edgewater Avenue. Mr. Ringwald advised I staff may need to proceed with condemnation. Councilmember Malone reviewed the conversation with the Fire Department with regard to Ie pension funding. Mayor Probst stated he mct with staffto discuss committee structure and plans to present the first I draft to Council next Monday for review. His suggested approach is to obtain the Council's general blessing, talk about plans for 1997 with the committees, and schedule a Town Hall meeting in late January, The Council would then consider appointments and identit'y committees I with appointments made at the first meeting in January. Councilmember Aplikowski expressed concern with "throwing out" all committees, I Mayor Probst alerted the Council about renewed TCAAP discussions with Mike Fix regarding I Alliant Tech and that a meeting will be scheduled with the Minnesota National Guard, He stated he believes there may be changes to their status, Mr. Fritsinger advised the Ramsey County Sherin's Department is looking for additional space and commented on the potential impact. . Mayor Probst announced upcoming meeting dates for the Met Council and MN/DOT Transportation Plan, and that there are currently openings on the Ramsey County Executive . Board, I .. . I I ARDEN illLLS CITY COUNCIL - NOVEMBER 12,1996 10 .. ADJOURN I MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p,m, The motion carried unanimously (5-0), I R:'~ I City Administrator I NOTICE OF MEETINGS I The next regular City Council meeting will be held November 25, 1996, at 7:30 p,m. at New I Brighton City Hall. I. I I I I I I I I- I