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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWS 12-16-1996 --------------- -------------- I I MINUTES .- CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA WORKSESSION DECEMBER 16, 1996 4:30 P.M. - ARMY RESERVE CENTER - 4655 LEXINGTON AVENUE N I CALL TO ORDERIROLL CALL/CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION I Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Probst called to order a Closed Executive Session of the City Council to discuss potential litigation. Present were I Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Paul Malone, Dale Hicks and Beverly Aplikowski; Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator; and Jerry Filla, City Attorney. Councilmember Susan Keirn arrived at 4:45 p.m., at the conclusion ofthe Closed I Executive Session. The Executive Session of the meeting was opened at 4:32 p.m., and concluded at I 4:46 p.m., at which time the Council recessed momentarily. Mayor Probst reconvened the Worksession at 4:53 p.m. to conclude the business scheduled to be conducted. . The full Council was present at the Worksession, in addition to Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator; Terry Post, City Accountant; Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent; -. Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director; Cindy Walsh, Parks & Recreation Director; and Sheila Stowell, Administrative Secretary. I CITY ISSUES - SHORT TERM . a. 1996 Committee Revicws Mayor Probst advised that the Council historically met with representatives of Advisory Committees to review their past accomplishments and future goals. Mayor Probst I provided an overview of the 1997 proposed committee structure and suggested pursuit of proposed activities. Mayor Probst outlined the creation of task forces involved in specific projects, along with statutory commissions which are set by code and have legal status, I such as the EDA and Planning Commission. The majority of the Council agreed that a broader array of committees and/or task forces would allow more citizens to be involved. I Representatives of the various committees reported as follows: Public Safety and Works Committee I Arnold Delger, Chairperson of the Public Safety and Works Committee reported that the Committee had been meeting every other month, plus additional meetings on an as- . needed basis. He shared the Council's concerns that some topics had been goals of the committee eight years ago, when he became involved. Mr. Delger cited some of those issues, including water meter replacements with commercial meters being a particular .- priority for the City, sidewalk and trail plowing, traffic - monitoring by Ramsey County SheritI, signage and sign vandalism. I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 16. 1996 2 .. New issues addressed by Mr. Delger included water tower security, coordinating I multiplicity of refuse, antiquated alarm system at sewer lift stations, new equipment to save staff time and to avoid permanent damage to equipment, and investigation into implementing a SCADA system. I Mr. DeIger commended the current Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford, and expressed his, and the committee's, appreciation ofMr. Stafford's expertise and his I availability above-and-beyond the call of assigned staff duties. Craig Wilson, also representing the Public Safety and Works Committee, spoke in I agreement with Mr. Delger. I Economic Development Committee Dan McCallum, Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee, reviewed the EDC's achievements and upcoming goals. Mayor Probst expressed the Council's I appreciation of the Committee's and Mr. McCallum's time and efforts in preparing the marketing brochure. Mr. McCallum suggested that the Committee would like to encourage the Council's initiation of "Operation Thank You" to various businesses in the -. community that had made significant improvements to their facilities. Mr. McCallum also suggested having a Business Retention Plan in place to provide more support of area businesses. - - Ray McGraw, also representing the Economic Development Committee, expressed his concern that the Committee's 1996 track record for accomplishments may not appear to I be significant at this time, but he felt the existence of the Committee was necessary due to little staff time being available for business support. Mr. McGraw made several suggestions regarding ways the Committee could become more pro-active, including joint I meetings with the Planning Commission to keep them informed on happenings, plus additional meetings with the New Brighton EDC. It was Mr. McGraw's desire that the I City remain as good as it is, and not deteriorate. Mr. McGraw expressed his concern that the Committee didn't vote on any issues for recommendation to the City Council, with the exception of the recently-drafted marketing brochure. Mr. McGraw advised the I Council of the positive response of the recent business luncheon, and suggested it be held on a more regular basis, suggesting monthly meetings. I Jeanne Winiecki, representing the EDC, suggested the EDC develop more of a relationship with the Planning Commission, making them allies, not advocates. She suggested the committee could assist staff in helping businesses and residents through the I Planning/Zoning processes and help in making their contact with City Hall more informal. Ms. Winiecki also suggested that the Council's recommendation that a graphic ,- artist be consulted for the marketing brochure would be a waste of city funds at this time until it was actually used and public input received as to it's format and the effectiveness of the information contained therein. I I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 16. 1996 3 .. Mr. McCallum reiterated Mr. McGraw's comments from businesses, and suggested the I Committee become more pro-active, and stated that the business luncheon had provided an open forum, allowing the Committee and Councilmembers in attendance to hear business concerns prior to their leaving the community for one reason or another. I Councilmember Aplikowski suggested the Committee be renamed as the "Business I Relations Committee" and thanked the Committee members for their loyalty to the City during their years of service. Parks & Recreation Committee I Megan Ricke, Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Committee, reviewed the 1996 accomplishments and 1997 goals of the Committee as follows: I 1. To continue soliciting more funds for Perry Park improvements and play structure in order to replenish the Park Fund. I 2. To continue to stay actively involved with TCAAP park planning. - 0 To continue with trail expansion; including possible Met Council approval to ~. -. assist with the grant process and other funding/grant sources. - 4. Be more pro-active on Handicap\Disabilities issues as they relate to the parks & - activities. - 5. To continue to aggressively work with Ramsey County towards getting the - necessary improvements completed at Tony Schmidt Park. . 6. To revise 5-year Plan as necessary, including the Gateway Garden Plan. - 1 Ms. Ricke cited successes of the Committee included the 1996 "Day-in-the-Park" event, with the Committee planning the 1997 trail segments be highlighted in 1997. Another 1997 goal cited by Ms. Ricke included space for additional soccer fields. - ~ Finance Committee Chuck Mertensotto and Tom Steele, representing the Finance Committee, discussed the - various Finance Committee activities. Mr. Mertensotto advised the Council that the . Committee worked in with a sub-committee structure, with each meeting focusing on a - particular issue. Mr. Steele also discussed the relationship developed by the Finance Committee to the City's operating departments, using as an example the recent - presentation by Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford. -. In response to a question fTom Mayor Probst on ideas to re-invigorate current City - Advisory committees, Mr. Mertensotto stated that he felt the etIectiveness of a committee - I I ARDEN HI LS CITY COUNCIL WORKSES ION - DECEMBER 16 19 6 4 .- was determined by its leadership, with outside consultants helpful to re-energize I committees as needed. I Tom Steele, a member of the Finance Committee, responded that outside expertise should be viewed as "free advise", whether it came from committee members, staff, outside consultants, or other areas. Mr. Steele's request of the Council was to, "Give us I something to do; give us focus, recognition, and a mission; and give us leadership." Mr. Mertensotto expressed his appreciation of those committee members willing to give I of their time in service to the community. Councilmember Aplikowski commended committee members, stating the diversity of the J group, and also commended Mr. Mertensotto's leadership as Chairperson of the committee. - Mr. Mertensotto asked for Council clarification of succession planning, and if the - Council wanted committee members present at Council meetings on a regular basis to provide committee recommendations. . Mayor Probst responded that it was absolutely appropriate for committee members to give formal recommendations to the Council, whether the Council agreed with the recommendation or not, and emphatically stated that the Council was continually seeking more public input in considering decisions before them. Councilmember Hicks emphasized the value the Council placed in the committee members' time, effort and advice prior to their making decisions, even when the Council makes decisions that may appear contrary to committee recommendations. Planning Commission Brent Nelson, representing the Planning Commission, provided an overview of Planning Commission activities. Mr. Nelson stated that there were several outstanding issues regarding pawn shop and adult entertainment zoning. Mr. Nelson requested clarified Council direction as to what the Commission's priorities should be. Councilmember Malone stated that the pawnshop and adult entertainment zoning needed to be an immediate priority. Councilmember Aplikowski again thanked the committee. Mayor Probst advised all committees who were represented that all appointments would . be discussed that evening, with appointment of statutory committees being made at the January 2, 1997 Council meeting. I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION -DECEMBER 16.1996 5 I~ Newsletter Committee I Although no appointed member of the Newsletter Committee was present, Ray McGraw and Jeanne Winiecki represented the Committee. Ms. Winiecki pled for the Council to continue with a monthly newsletter to allow for a more timely and topical newsletter. I City Administrator Fritsinger stated that ten issues had been budgeted for 1996, with two - combined issues planned. Staff continued to work out various postal issues and updating of the City's mailing list. Mr. Fritsinger stated that there were 4,000 postal stops in - Arden Hills, and how the additional residential and proposed business drops would affect , the budget. The Committee will be reviewing the various issues and making a recommendation to the Council in early 1997. Mr. Fritsinger advised that staff continued to keep track of the input from the public with each publication. - b. 1997 Committee Structure/Task Force Appointments ~ Mayor Probst stated that, in his term on the Council and as Mayor, he had seen the level - of activity on the various committees wane and cited the excitement and accomplishments he had seen on the TCAAP Task Force, and expressed his desire to see all the City's committees re-invigorated. He stated his willingness to take advantage of ~ the various committee members' expertise and time to serve their City, and restated his . concern that the Council, and City, would be best-served by having the largest number of people involved in its government. - Councilmembers reviewed applications received to-date from citizens interested in - serving on the City's various committees, and resignations received to-date. City Administrator Fritsinger advised the Council that we had advertised on Cable for these - openings, and have sent notice to the local newspaper on the Planning Commission opemngs. Following further discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that the Mayor make - appointments to the City's statutory commissions at the January 2, 1997 Council meeting, with existing committees remaining on-going for the months of January and February. - Following the Town Hall meeting, the completion of the Community Survey, and further Council discussion, the remaining appointments would be made. City Administrator Fritsinger clarified that the number of Planning Commissioners, according to statutory law and City code, would remain at seven members. Lois Rem, 1670 Glenview Court, a citizen in attendance, commented that perhaps a better way to handle the committee structure would be to analyze their specific tasks, and ask the committees for their recommendations on items to be completed, and their feelings on . any future changes. I I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER 16. 1996 6 -..a.. .., - Councilmember Hicks stated that he was impressed with the enthusiasm expressed by the I various representatives of the committees he had heard that evening, and encouraged them to continue meeting in 1997 until their formal appointment or re-appointment by the Council, and stated he sought their continued discussion and input. - . - Review 1997 Worksession Schedule .- c. City Administrator Fritsinger provided an overview of the 1997 Worksession Schedule, - and reminded the Council of the change in format of the Worksessions and the reasoning - behind that change. - Mayor Probst expressed his discouragement that only one meeting on the proposed - Worksession Schedule had space available for new agenda items, and found the list of items to be examined rather astounding. - Councilmember Malone state that with such an energetic schedule, the Council dare not add any additional items. Mayor Probst stated that he thought the Council Retreat should be held in early 1997, and those items be included in the process. -. City Administrator Fritsinger stated that normally the Retreat would be schedule prior to the Town Hall meeting, but the timing was not feasible this year. He stated he would like - to see the Retreat held as close as possible to the Town Hall meeting to continue the momentum. The consensus of the Council was that an outside facilitator at the Retreat would allow for more prioritizing and more time to resolve issues, and allow the focus of the meeting to be shifted to what was hoped to be accomplished. It was also the consensus of the Council that the Retreat be held over a Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to allow everyone to be more fresh than meeting for an entire day. City Administrator Fritsinger was directed to poll the Council on their availability of Friday and Saturdays during the month of February. d. 1996 and 1997 Budget Review Terry Post, City Accountant, gave a brief overview of the 1997 Budget, and 1996 Budget to-date, prior to adoption of the Budget and Levy at this Regular Council meeting which followed the earlier Worksession. Mr. Post had prepared two memorandums regarding 1996 operating results and considerations, and documented changes from the Preliminary . to Final Levy adoption. Mr. Post identified an estimated 1996 Preliminary General Fund surplus, mainly due to the return of pending petition and abatement funds withheld by the County in 1995, and increased revenue in the Building Permits revenue category. - - - - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - DECEMBER I 6. 1996 7 - Councilmember Malone stated his appreciation of the proposed set-aside funds for - insurance, as recommended by statI, as a buffer for future insurance deductible needs. - MISCELLANEOUS Sister City in Germany - City Administrator Fritsinger presented a request for the City's involvement in a Sister City Program. The consensus of the Council was that the City would like to use this avenue to reach out, but needed more information before making a decision. City Administrator Fritsinger was directed to pursue more information regarding this program for future Council consideration. Commissioner of Revenue City Administrator Fritsinger addressed the letter from Commissioner of Revenue Girard, admonishing Minnesota cities in their proposed 1997 Levy increases, and advised that City Accountant, Terry Post, was drafting a response for the Council's review. .. Mayor Probst stated that he was offended by the tone of the letter, and definitely wanted n~ the City to respond. Councilmember Malone concurred with Mayor Probst's comments, and suggested the letter be copied to the League of Minnesota Cities, AMM, newspapers, Governor Carlson, and signed by all members ofthe Council. Staff was directed to continue drafting the City's response. ADJOURN Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). -- ~ .~