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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 12-16-1996 . . -- MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA 1997 FINAL BUDGET & 1996 LEVY PAYABLE IN 1997 ADOPTION HEARING AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING . MONDAY, DECEMBER 16,1996 7:30 P.M. - ARMY RESERVE CENTER . CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL . Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the 1997 Final Budget & 1996 Levy Payable in 1997 Adoption Hearing and regular City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. . Present: Mayor Dennis Probst; Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, Susan Keim, and Paul Malone. . Also present were: City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; City Accountant, Terry Post; Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne . Stafford; Administrative Secretary, Sheila Stowell; Parks and Recreation Director, Cindy Walsh; and Recording Secretary, Lorri Kopischke. '. ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Keim moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the I December 16, 1996, 1997 Final Budget & 1996 Levy Payable in 1997 Adoption Hearing and Regular City Council meeting as presented. The motion carried I unanimously (5-0). APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES I December 5,1996 Truth-in-Taxation Hearing - City Administrator noted on page five, paragraph nine, after street it should read ... water. sewer and other engineering projects could be provided by one person. . MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the December 5, 1996, Truth-in-Taxation Hearing Meeting minutes as corrected. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I CONSENT CALENDAR I A. Claims and Payroll, B. O'Meara Property Conveyance. .~ C. Contract, Animal Control Services, Inc, ... - .. I I I .- ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16.1996 2 D. Resolution #96-72, Authorizing Joint and Cooperative Agreement for Use of I Personnel and Equipment - Regional Mutual Aid Association, MOTION: Malone moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar I as presented, and authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I PUBLIC COMMENTS I Mayor Probst invited the audience to address Council on any issue not already on the agenda, There were no public comments, I UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution #96-69, Clarifying Final Sums of Money to be Levied For Levy Year 1996, I Payable in 1997 Terry Post, City Accountant, explained this resolution is a carbon copy of the Preliminary Levy I. which was adopted by the Council in September 1996. Staff has no recommended changes to the previously adopted Preliminary Levy, I MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to approve Resolution #96-69, clarifying Final Sums of Money to be Levied for the Levy Year 1996 Payable in 1997. The motion passed unanimously (5-0), I B. Resolution #96-70, Accepting the 1997 Final Budget I Mr. Post noted Resolution #96-70 reflects the dollar anlounts of the revenue and expenditure categories that were included in the proposed 1997 Budget that were discussed at the December 5, I 1996 Truth-in- Taxation meeting, as updated by changes discussed at the December 16, 1996 earlier Worksession. I MOTION: Keim moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve Resolution #96-70, Adopting the 1997 Budget. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I c. Trail Improvement Project, Pay Estimate #2 Cindy Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director, explained this is not a final pay estimate. A final pay I estimate will be recommended in the Spring of 1997, after the contractor completes a few areas of the project which she and Engineer Stonehouse have agreed need to be completed. The amount t' being withheld includes the amount for the work remaining to be done and 5% of the total amount completed thus far. I I I .' ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16.1996 3 MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to approve Trail Pay Estimate #2 to I Thor Construction in the amount of$58,803.35. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). D. 1996 Street Improvements, Pay Estimate #3 I Greg Stonehouse, Consulting Engineer, explained this is Partial Pay Estimate No.3 of the 1996 Street Improvement Project. The total amount for construction completed to date is $356,542.05 of I the total contract amount of $397,890.43. Mr. Stonehouse recommended 5% of this amount or $17,827,10 be retained until the contractor completes punch list work in the spring of 1997. If the I Council approves of this pay estimate, it would be appropriate for the Council to approve payment to T.A, Schifsky & Sons in the amount of$133,372.67, I Mayor Probst noted the total amount identified as complete is underneath the contract amount. He asked if there was work still to be done or if the total cost was under budget. I Mr. Stonehouse explained there are some items yet which are in dispute as far as what the Contractor feels he should be compensated for. In an effort to get him the bulk of compensation now, it has been agreed to pay this amount now and work to resolve the issues when the punch list items are -. corrected. It is anticipated the final construction cost will be approximately 3% under the original contract amount and approximately 8% under the final contract amount when it is completed. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve Partial Pay Estimate No. 3 for the 1996 Street Improvements Project to T.A. Schifsky & Sons in the amount of $133,372.67. Motion carried unanimously (5-0), I E. 1997 Pay Plan I Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator, presented the proposed 1997 Pay Plan, He noted this Pay Plan is similar to prior year Pay Plans. During 1996, the City Council negotiated a labor agreement with I the Local 49 which included a 3% increase in base pay and an additional $10 per month to be contributed to the insurance premiums. The Pay Plan includes the same adjustment in pay for non- union Staff. This amount has been included in the recently adopted 1997 Budget. Mr. Fritsinger - stated Staff recommends City Council approval ofthe Pay Plan as presented, Mayor Probst noted this increase would essentially increase all employees' pay ranges, non-union I and union by 3%, This will result in the Pay Equity remaining in compliance. Councilmember Malone noted there had been an increase in health and dental insurance premiums - for the City employees. t' - ~ .... ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16.1996 4 - Mr. Fritsinger indicated the health insurance premium has increased by approximately $40 per month for family coverage and $14 per month for single coverage. The family dental had also increased by approximately $6 per month. Councilmember Malone stated he felt this increase was relatively unexpected. He asked if Staff had shopped with other insurance carriers. Mr. Fritsinger noted the City had changed insurance carriers in 1996 which had resulted in a significant reduction in premium from 1995. Even with the increase in 1997, the premium is still less than it was in 1995. Staff will continue to investigate other options. Councilmember Malone stated he felt City Council should consider an increase in the contribution to insurance premiums for non-union employees which would result in their insurance benefits being equivalent with the union employees' benefits. He believed this would not significantly impact the approved 1997 Budget. Mr. Post noted the Local 49 union members have their own health insurance coverage at a cost of $325 per month per individual. He noted there are only three non-union employees with family coverage. . Mr. Fritsinger noted he estimated the 1997 average premium for family health insurance coverage to be $394 per month and the premium for family dental coverage to be $44 per month. Mayor Probst suggested the Pay Plan be approved and the insurance premiums be tabled for further discussion. Councilmember Malone asked if the Pay Plan was within the linear line, Mr, Fritsinger indicated the Pay Plan was in compliance using DOER software. He stated he would - verify the linear line. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded to approve the 1997 Pay Plan as submitted by Staff and ask Staff to reconsider and recommend the amount to be contributed to health insurance premiums for non-union employees. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). F. Resolution #96-71, Ordering Abatement of 1900 Edgewater Mr. Fritsinger indicated Resolution #96-71 is for action to address the State Statute requirements for prosecuting a hazardous nuisance abatement at 1900 Edgewater A venue, In October of 1996, the .... City initiated review of the property and the City Council adopted Resolution #96-59 at its October - 15, 1996 City Council meeting addressing the abatement of 1900 Edgewater A venue, The resolution . I I 16 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16.1996 5 authorized Staff to make an offer to acquire the property and to address condemnation of a dangerous I home. Due to some technical problems in the preparation of the Purchase Agreement, the offer to purchase the property was not delivered until November 26, 1996. The Purchase Agreement gave the property owner until December 10, 1996 to respond. The property owner did not respond to the I offer. Mr. Fritsinger noted the City Attorney has determined that there is a $60,000 outstanding mortgage on the property, I Mr. Fritsinger reported he contacted the City Attorney on December 12, 1996 to determine the status of the abatement process and if there were any additional follow-up items the City needed to I complete, City Attorney indicated that the previous resolution should have been more specific to the State Statute rather than the building code as it was, He recommended the City adopt an additional resolution which specifically refers to Minnesota State Statute. The adoption of this I resolution will allow the homeowner an additional 20 day period to respond to the request to abate the property. The City is required under the Statute to allow a period of time for the problem to be resolved. In this case the City Attorney is recommending a period of 45 days. The length of the I period is the discretion of the City. If the Council adopts the resolution, the Attorney will immediately attempt to schedule a hearing date. The Attorney feels that due to the holidays, the earliest court date possible would be in approximately 45 days. I. Mr. Fritsinger noted Staff and the homeowner have been approached by a third party who is interested in acquiring the property, but has not yet been able to do so. Mr. Fritsinger stated Staff I is recommending adoption of the resolution. I Councilmember Hicks noted the homeowner had requested a building permit to rehabilitate the building but it is the position of the City that the building is in such poor condition that it could not be rehabilitated unless the structure was completed removed and a new building constructed. I Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director, stated it is the position of Staff that the building is hazardous and cannot be renovated, There is a possibility that the foundation is sound but I this would have to be investigated. If the building was completely cleared to the foundation then, the City would then perform an inspection to determine if the foundation was sound or would need to be removed. I Councilmember Hicks asked if this has been clearly expressed to the homeowner. Mr. Ringwald stated this has been clearly stated to the homeowner. I Mr. Fritsinger noted all notices have also been forwarded to the mortgage holder and the mortgage holder has chosen not to respond. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to approve Resolution #96-71, I~ Authorizing the Commencement of Proceedings under Minnesota Statutes 463.15, ET. SEG., Relative to 1900 Edgewater Avenue. I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16. 1996 6 ... - Mayor Probst noted this was not any easier than it had been in October, 1996, but it was an action the City needs to do. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS Mr. Fritsinger noted Staff has had some discussions with Ramsey County over the last week in regard to actions which will be necessary adjacent to Arden Manor Mobile Home Park due to the future Highway 96 Reconstruction Project. A meeting has tentatively been planned with the residents for the week of January 6, 1997. A follow-up meeting would then be held with the Council at its meeting on January 13, 1997 to make some final actions on these issues. Mr. Fritsinger reported Ramsey County had met with Mr. Husnik earlier today to discuss the issues, It appears this was a useful meeting and hopefully things will continue and move forward, COUNCIL COMMENTS I DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES Councilmember Hicks stated he would prefer the January City Council meeting be held at the regular time of 7 :30 p.m. rather than 5 :00 p.m. He also asked if there had been any further action in the . claim submitted for County Road F, Mr. Stonehouse stated there had been no further action since the City Council approved the Pay Estimate in July of 1996, Mr. Stonehouse reported he and Mr. Fritsinger had met with the City Attorney to discuss the issue. Mr. Stonehouse stated he did not believe there would be any further action on this item. Councilmember Malone noted there were quite a few issues on the agenda for the January 2, 1997 Council meeting, including general housekeeping items and suggested the meeting be held at 7:00 p.m. MOTION: Hicks moved and Keirn seconded a motion to change the time of the January 2, 1997 Regular City Council meeting from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), Councilmember Malone questioned the outcome of the Lexington Avenue meeting of December 12, 1996. Mr. Fritsinger stated there were approximately 40 people in attendance at the meeting. Six of the attendees were from the City of Arden Hills, Ramsey County presented four or five options which are available to address the situation. They presented it from the standpoint that widening will not . occur in the short term due to the costs involved, They also addressed restriping and other options available that would be possible in the short term. I I It ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16 1996 7 Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent, noted the intersection at Highway 96 and Lexington I would be developed with the Shoreview segment. As part of the intersection, it calls for two turn lanes from Highway 96 onto Lexington westbound and two turn lanes from Highway 96 onto Lexington A venue eastbound, Ramsey County is considering that this would be the time to I complete any lane changes on Lexington Avenue. I Mr. Stafford explained the four options which were presented for Lexington A venue. One option would be to do nothing, One option would be to restripe it to a four lane as it was for a couple of months when it was reconstructed in 1984, Another option is to restripe it to two lanes southbound, I a turn lane and one lane northbound, A fourth option is to put a turn lane on Amble with the four lanes on Lexington. These options are possible for] 997, A fifth option to restripe to four lanes and build new turn lanes would require major funding which may not be available for five to six years. I Mr. Stafford stated it appeared that none of the residents wanted anything done. However, if they I decided to install four lanes or change the configuration, the residents would like a stoplight at Amble Drive which would give the residents a way in and out of the neighborhood. Mr. Stafford stated Ramsey County would be considering the items discussed and holding further meetings. I. Councilmember Aplikowski stated the residents at the meeting that are closest to Highway 96 will not be able do anything but make a right turn out of their driveway so they will not be able to I directly access Highway 96. She indicated the residents appeared frustrated that anything had to be done at all and expressed concern of the increased speeds and traffic flow which would result. I Mayor Probst noted he had received input from the Mayor and a Councilmember of Shoreview who have indicated that their constituents would like Lexington to be changed to four lanes. It appears I this was not the consensus of the residents who attended the meeting with Ramsey County. Councilmember ApIikowski stated the residents appeared to be in favor of the turn lanes but not in I favor of widening the road. Councilmember Aplikowski stated she found the Community Survey interesting I Councilmember Keirn asked if the dirt path on the O'Meara property would be paved in 1996 or 1997. Mr. Fritsinger indicated the Parks Committee will be discussing this issue. . Ms, Walsh noted there are requests from the residents to upgrade other trail access areas similar to - the access acquired from Mr. O'Meara. The Parks Committee intends to discuss the condition of the access areas with the residents in January and will bring the results back to the City Council. Ms. Walsh stated the areas will are not scheduled to be paved in 1997. . I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - DECEMBER 16.1996 8 1& Mayor Probst noted the Ramsey County curfew which is being considered will have an effect on the City of Arden Hills, The City will have to make a decision to comply or not to comply. This will require a public hearing, He asked if the County will be required to hold public hearings on tbis Issue. I Mr. Fritsinger indicated he assumed County procedure would include a couple of readings for the I change to the ordinance similar to communities. The issue however, will be considered on their regular agenda. He noted, in light of the problems which occurred last summer, there may be some publicity on the issue. I Mayor Probst noted there are several assignments of liaison posts for the CounciL He stated it is his responsibility to present this list to Councilmembers and he would like to have this resolved by the I January 2, 1997 meeting. He indicated he would like to hear from Councilmembers if there are particular assignments they are or are not interested in. I ADJOURN MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m, I. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). B,d!q-- I I City Administrator I NOTICE OF MEETINGS I The next regular Council meeting will be held January 2, 1997, at 7:00 p,m., at New Brighton City HaiL I I I Ie I