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Home My WebLink AboutCCP 03-10-1997 - ~\z- ~ AGENDA - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING NEW BRIGHTON COUNCIL CHAMBERS I MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1997, 7:30 P.M. 7:30 P,M. 1. Call to Order/Roll Call I 7:30 P,M. 2. Approval of Meeting Agenda I 7:30 P,M. 3. Approval of Minutes a. February 24,1997 Regular Council Meeting I 7:30 P.M. 4. Consent Calendar Those items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion under a Consent Calendar format. There will be no separate discussion of these I items, unless a Council member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the general order of business and considered separately in its normal sequence on the agenda. I a. Claims and Payroll b. IRS Mileage Reimbursement Ie 7:35 P.M. 5. Public Comments This is an opportunity for citizens to bring to the Council's attention any items not currently on the agenda In addressing the Council, please state your name and address for the record, and a brief SUm.maJy of the I specific item being addressed to the Council. To allow adequate time for each person wishing to address the Council, we ask that individuals limit their comments to three (3) minutes. Written documents may be distributed to the Council prior to the meeting, or as bench copies, to allow a more timely presentation. I 7:40 P.M. 6. Unfinished and New Business a. Decision Resources Presentation of Community Survey Results b. Resolution #97-12, Designating "No Parking" Restrictions on Both Sides I ofT.H. Highway 96 Within the City of Arden Hills c, Committee/Task Force Appointments I d. Committee Structure/Role Review 8:40 P.M. 7, Administrator Comments I I 8:50 P.M. 8. Council Comments I i' 9:00 P,M. 9. Adjourn The above time may vary depending upon length of issue discussion I -- - --- ITEMS PENDING OR UNDER STUDY FOR FURTHER COUNCIL CONSIDERATION DEPARTMENT ANTICIPATED ITEM RESPONSIBn~ITY AGENDA DATE I 1. Assessment Heating, 1997 Street Administration 3/31/97 Improvements I 2. Council/Depanmenl Head Retreat Administration 3/21 & 22/97 I I I March Meetings April Meetines I March 5 Planning Commission CANCEL April 2 Planning Commission 7:30 P.M. .. March 10 Council Meeting 7:30 P.M. April 14 Council Meeting 7:30 P.M. March 17 Council Worksession 4:45 P.M. April 16 Business Relations 8:00 A.M. I Committee March 19 Business Relations 8:00 A.M. I Committee April 17 Finance Committee 7:30 P.M. March 20 Finance Committee 7:30 P.M. April 21 Council Worksession 4:45 P.M. . March 20 Public Safety 7:30 P.M. April 22 Parks & Recreation 7:00 P.M. Commission Commission March 25 Parks & Recreation 7:00 P.M. April 28 Council Meeting 7:30 P.M. . Commission April 30 Newsletter Committee 6:00 P.M. I March 26 Newsletter Committee 6:00 P.M. March 31 Council Meeting 7:30 P.M. . I .. I -- - I HP OfficeJet Fax Log Report for I Personal Printer/Fax/Copier City of Arden Hills 612 633-7839 f' Automatic Loi' Mar-07-97 09:26 AM I Identification Result Pal'es Iw Dale Time Duration Diamostic 4219511 ~ OK 04/04 Sent Mar-07 09:23A 00:01 :08 002422030022 I 7731033 c..: t\&'f No answer 00/04 Sent Mar-07 09:26A 00:00:00 0020200000oo rUM I I I I .. I I I I I I I ,. I I HP OfficeJet Fax Log Report for I Personal Printer/Fax/Copier City of Arden Hills 612633-7839 t' Automatic Lor Mar-07-97 09:35 AM I Identification Result Palies ~ Date Time Duration DiaQTlostic 6310467 L,'~ .f'-.- No answer 00/02 Sent Mar-07 09:29A 00:00:00 0020200000oo I 6449446 \')\ :':> PI OK 02/02 Sent Mar-07 09:29A 00:01 :09 002121430020 6339550 ~ OK 02/02 Sent Mar-07 09:31A 00:01: 12 002120430020 6333846 ~ '" OK 02/02 Sent Mar-07 09:32A 00:01:12 002120430020 I 6461220 ~ ii> 'o\............J OK 02/02 Sent Mar-07 09:34A 00:01: 17 002021430020 6.0.4 I I I Ie I I I I I I I ~ I I I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS f' MEMORANDUM DATE: March 6, 1997 I TO: Mayor and City Council I FROM: Brian Fritsinger, City Administra@ I SUBJECT: Administrator Comments for the March 10, 1997 Council Meeting 1. Apnroval of Minutes I The Council is asked to approve the Minutes of the February 24,1997 Regular Council meeting. I 2. Consent Calendar a. Claims and Payroll I The Council is asked to approve claims in the amount of$119,217.49, and payroll for the period most recently ended. The Council should note payment to MSA in Ie the amount of$20,529,25 for January engineering services; MCES in the amount of$48,322.00 for March sewer services, and to MCES in the amount of$31,350 for February SAC charges. I b. IRS Mileage Reimbursement The City Council is asked to authorize an increase in mileage reimbursement I consistent with IRS regulations from $.31 to $.315 per mile. 3. Unfinished and New Business I a. Decision Resources Presentation of Community Survey Results Enclosed, the City Council will find the executive swnmary for the results of the I recent community survey. Bill Morris will be in attendance to review these results and answer any questions you may have, I b. Resolution #97-12, Designatin~ "No Parking" along Hwy. #96 The City Council is asked to adopt Resolution #97-12, designating "No Parking" I along Highway 96. This designation would include all of Highway 96 through the City of Arden Hills, This request is consistent with other similar types of County Roads maintained by Ramsey County. I c. Committeeffask Force Appointments The Mayor is asking for City Council consideration on appointments to the .. Business Relations Committee and Business Development Task Force. I I Administrator Comments for the March 10, 1997 City Council Meeting I Page Two March 6, 1997 .. d. Committee Structure/Role Review The City Council is asked to provide direction on a variety of committee-related I issues. The City Council had previously requested that staff prepare this item for discussion, I I I I I .. I I I I I I I .. I I- ... DF';f\ FT <,.,... if ~..... .r-'>... I MINUTES CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA " REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 24,1997 7:30 P.M. - NEW BRIGHTON COUNCIL CHAMBERS I I CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Dennis Probst called to order the regular I City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Dennis Probst, Councilmembers Beverly Aplikowski, Dale Hicks, I Susan Keirn, and Paul Malone. Absent: None. I Also present were: City Administrator, Brian Fritsinger; City Accountant, Terry Post; I Community Development Director, Kevin Ringwald; Public Works Superintendent, Dwayne Stafford; and Recording Secretary, Cindy Schneider, Ie ADOPT AGENDA MOTION: Aplikowski moved and Keirn seconded a motion to adopt the agenda for the I February 24,1997, Regular City Council meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 10, 1997, Regular Council Meeting I Councilmember Malone requested the following changes: I Page 8, paragraph 4: ".. .new entrance crosses land in Arden Manor that is now a park easement.." I Page 15, paragraph 3: ". ..appointment to AMM Representative to the Metropolitan Council' s TransDortation Advisory Board." I Councilmember Aplikowski requested the following change: " Page 10, paragraph 2: ".. . stated she would like Council to look at setback variances... I Mayor Probst requested the following changes: ~ I uKi....:~r I ... Oil ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24, 1997 2 I Page 8, paragraph 8: " .. .Arden Hills could ~ a larger development parcel..," .. Page 9, paragraph I: " ... based on the minimum level of connection to Round Lake Road." Page 10, paragraph 3: Strike this paragraph. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the February 10, 1997, I Regular Council Meeting minutes as corrected. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll I B. Refuse Hauler and Business License Renewals C. Park & Recreation Commission Appointment - James D. Johnson I MOTION: Malone moved and Aplikowski seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as submitted and authorize execution of all necessary documents I contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). Mayor Probst inquired if it was known how many City residents each refuse hauler serviced. He ~ suggested adding a question to the license application to acquire this information. Councilmember Malone stated that many of the licenses being applied for are for industrial I refuse hauling, but agreed with the need for a hauler survey. PUBLIC COMMENTS I Mayor Probst invited the audience to address the Council on any issue not already on the agenda. I Lois Rem, 1670 Glenview Court, came forward to address the Council. She reported that the I "Neighbors of Lake Valentine" have built a World Wide Web site for exchange of Arden Hills information. She stated the City Council and Planning Commission minutes have been posted on this site for about a year, along with other documents relating to this project. She stated the I notebooks in the library with the City of Arden Hills minutes have this web site address in the front. Councilmember Keirn requested clarification that the Neighbors of Lake Valentine web site I information was in the front of all the notebooks. Ms. Rem stated that was correct, that she I began inserting this information into the notebooks for information purposes. .. I I~ .... DRAFf I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24. 1997 3 ~ Councilmember Keirn inquired if there was any way that this web site could be construed as an official City of Arden Hills web site. Ms. Rem stated that would not be possible. I Councilmember Malone noted that if a web search is done using the words "Arden Hills", this web site comes up as a match. He suggested the search engine be changed so that does not I happen in the future. Ms. Rem indicated she would have that change made. There were no further public comments. I UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS I A. Resolution #97-10, Determining Assessed Cost ofImprovement and Ordering Proposed Assessment Roll, 1997 Street Improvements B. Resolution #97-11, Ordering Assessment Hearing, 1997 Street Improvements I Mr. Greg Stonehouse, Project Manager for MSA Consulting Engineers, reviewed that Council is asked to adopt Resolution #97-10, determining assessed cost of improvement and ordering I proposed assessment roll, 1997 Street Improvements, Council is also asked to adopt Resolution #97-11, ordering assessment hearing, 1997 Street Improvements. The Hearing is scheduled for Ie March 31, 1997. Hearing notices will be sent to all affected property owners, and published in the Bulletin. I The City received six bids on February 19, 1997, for the project, with Valley Paving being the apparent low bidder with a bid of $595,960. Mr. Stonehouse stated the City has had a positive relationship with this company, including the street maintenance improvements of 1995. I He stated the bid was higher than estimated in the feasibility study due to three factors: 1. The addition of three bike trail seal coats ($2,707.75); I 2. The inclusion ofa slurry seal alternate ($16,011.90); 3. Complete reconstruction of Colleen Circle instead of bituminous reclamation ($17,000). I Mr. Stonehouse stated if it is determined the overall costs for this project are too high, portions of the bid are allowed to be deleted at Council's discretion. I The City Council will receive the draft assessment roll prior to the hearing date for the purpose I of review and discussion. Staff is working with the engineer on the assessment rates, which will be recommended for the 1997 Street Improvement Project. I Mayor Probst requested clarification that Mr. Stonehouse recommends using Valley Paving for this project. Mr. Stonehouse agreed he is comfortable using this company for this project. t- I DRAFT .... .1 ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24. 1997 4 I Mayor Probst inquired how many days Council has to make a decision regarding these .. expenditures. Mr. Stonehouse reported Council has 90 days to make their decision. There is a 30-day waiting period after the assessment hearing, which would bring the deadline for the decision to the end of ApriL Me Stonehouse further inquired if it is the City's desire to award I the bid to Valley Paving and draw up a formal contract at this time. Councilmember Hicks inquired regarding the Hamline A venue sewer odor problem. He stated in I his opinion, this item could not be deleted, as it is a major concern. Me Stonehouse stated this item would remain in the project plan even if the proposed reconstruction of Hamline Avenue I were deleted. Councilmember Malone inquired if any other areas of the project plan dealt with the Hamline I Avenue sewer problem. Me Stonehouse stated there were no other areas. Councilmember Malone stated Council would have to seriously discuss this matter, as this I amount was significantly over what was budgeted. He inquired what the total budget for this project was. Mr. Terry Post, City Accountant, replied the budget was $690,000, which comes from three different funding sources. I MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #97-10, Determining Assessed Cost ofImprovement and Ordering Proposed Assessment .. Roll, 1997 Street Improvements, and to adopt Resolution #97-11, Ordering Assessment Hearing, 1997 Street Improvements. The motion carried I unanimously (5-0). Councilmember Hicks observed that the City was not incurring any additional costs in approving I these Resolutions, and that some portions of the plan could be dropped or tabled. Mr. Stonehouse stated the basic engineering will last for future years, if something needs to be I set aside and done in a different year. C. Resolution #97-09, Approving Bingo Hall License Renewal Application, Pot O'Gold I Bingo Mr. Post stated City Council is being asked to adopt Resolution #97-09, Approving the Bingo I Hall License Application for Pot O'Gold Bingo. The current license expires in May. Mr. Post has completed all the necessary background checks and everything appears to be in order. He further stated the applicant was present at the meeting to answer any questions Council may I have. I .. I I. DRAFT I ARDEN ljILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24. 1997 5 ~ Councilmember Malone stated he has received some complaints regarding heavy traffic exiting this facility and, on some occasions, driving recklessly, He stated he would like to discuss some I ways of mitigating those concerns, such as a stop sign or another way to control traffic flow out of the parking lot. I Goldie Siedow, 3776 Conway Avenue, owner of Pot O'Gold Bingo, came forward to address the Council. She stated that the parking lot empties out in a matter of minutes after a bingo session ends. She stated that, in her opinion, the bowling alley adjacent to her business has many I of the same traffic concerns. Councilmember Malone inquired if there were ever two bingo sessions running concurrently, I Ms. Siedow stated there were not. Councilmember Malone stated that it was not his intention to hold up this license approval, but I he would like to have some discussion of the traffic concerns. Ms. Siedow stated she could have the bingo announcer remind people to drive safely and courteously as they leave the parking lot. I Mayor Probst stated that it would probably help to have an announcement made. Ms, Siedow stated she would comply with this request. Ie Councilmember Hicks inquired regarding the Charitable Gambling aspect of this business, and the method of scheduling session times to the different licensed charitable gambling I organizations. Ms. Siedow stated the session times were in place when she took over, and as organizations have left, their vacant times have been filled with new organizations. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to adopt Resolution #97-09, Approving Bingo Hall License Renewal Application for Pot O'Gold Bingo. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I D. GIS Purchase I Mr. Kevin Ringwald, Community Development Director, reported Council is being asked to authorize the purchase of a variety of GIS-related hardware, software and technical services. A I portion of these items had previously been included in the 1996 municipal budget and a portion in the 1997 budget. The requested purchases, in total, would result in an unbudgeted 1997 capital expenditure of $4,460.00 With access to other agencies now available through the Cable I Commission, Staffrecommends proceeding with this item. Councilmember Hicks inquired the name of the company providing the technical expertise. Mr, I Ringwald stated the company would be PlanSight of Stillwater. tfj I .- 4. DRAFT ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24.1997 6 I Councilmember Hicks inquired if the expenditure for technical expertise was a fixed amount. .. Mr. Ringwald stated it was, and that the amount had been negotiated through the I-35W Corridor Coalition, Councilmember Hicks inquired regarding the brand of PC, stating he felt the price for equipment I was relatively high compared to what he has seen advertised. Mr. Ringwald stated this . equipment purchase would go out for bid, and the City would accept the lowest bid. Councilmember Hicks reiterated his belief that the cost of the computer equipment seems to be . excessive. Mr. Ringwald replied because of the large amount of data needing to be stored, it is necessary to purchase a more powerful computer to accommodate these storage needs. MOTION: Malone moved and Hicks seconded a motion to authorize the purchase of the I GIS-related hardware, software, and technical services as per Staff recommendations. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). I Councilmember Aplikowski inquired if this was to be the only expenditure for the GIS project, or if there would be more expenses in the future. Mr. Fritsinger stated there would be some I initial training needed, and upgrades in the future. He stated the requested purchase of hardware would be sufficient for at least 2-3 years. E. Water Supply Alarm System .. Mr. Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent, reported the Public Safety Commission has I recommended installing a water supply alarm system and Council is being asked to approve the alarm system and other improvements at this time. Mr. Stafford stated security is not sufficient I in light of the thousands of dollars worth of equipment in the water tower, and the potential access to the City's water supply. He stated that while this is a significant expenditure, he feels it is a worthwhile expense. I Mayor Probst inquired if a SCADA System could be used in conjunction with the proposed security system. Mr. Stafford replied the security system could be attached to a SCADA System, I which would eliminate the installation costs. However, a SCADA System could take up to three years to place into operation. Councilmember Hicks asked for clarification of the costs, that they would include the Electro- I Watchman bid for start-up and installation, and thereafter maintenance of $61.00 per month. Mr. Stafford stated those calculations were correct. I Councilmember Hicks stated he felt this was a good investment, and that it should have been I done earlier. .. I I' DRAFT I ARDEN HILLS CITY COTJN~II.. FEBRUARY 24,1997 7 f' Councilmember Aplikowski inquired if equipment malfunctions were covered under a warranty. Mr. Stafford replied he assumed that would be the case. I MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to approve the alarm system and improvements to the water supply system via the Electro-Watchman bid. The I motion carried unanimously (5.0). F. Infrastructure Plan File Update I Mr. Stafford reviewed Council is being asked to approve the update of the municipal infrastructure plan. Currently, the as.built plans used by the City are in very poor condition, with I many pages missing, out of order, tom or destroyed. These plans are used on a daily basis, and are used to locate manholes, hydrants and catch basins, and by developers. Authorization to proceed with an update would allow the City to work with MSA to reproduce all of the as.builts, I There would be three copies of the Master Plan, color coded for ease of use, and on Mylar for ease of copying. I Mayor Probst inquired, as this is an unbudgeted item, out of which fund the money was proposed to come. Mr. Fritsinger, City Administrator, stated it would be split between water, sanitary Ie sewer, storm sewer, and street maintenance department funds, Councilmember Hicks inquired, if there were pages missing, how MSA would be able to produce I copies. Mr. Stafford explained that MSA collected the originals from previous years, or they can create new ones as necessary. I Councilmember Hicks stated that while he thinks this is a significant expenditure, he feels it is a worthwhile investment. Councilmember Malone stated his agreement with this also. I Mayor Probst inquired if the City would have custody of the originals. Mr. Stonehouse stated that MSA would keep the originals, as their storage facilities are superior. The City of Arden Hills would also have a set, and the two sets would be stored separately, I Councilmember Aplikowski inquired regarding the possibility of micro. filming these records. I Mr. Fritsinger stated due to the size of these documents, micro-filming would not be a feasible option. He further stated micro-filming is being considered for files and routine paperwork. I Councilmember Aplikowski also stated her belief that this was a worthwhile investment. Mayor Probst inquired if these documents could be reproduced electronically. Mr. Stonehouse I replied that the cost of scanning onto CD-ROMs is prohibitive at the present time, but in 5-7 years this could be an option. fI I -- DRAt-I "I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24, 1997 8 I Mayor Probst inquired if the new work being done by MSA will be stored electronically. Mr. .. Stonehouse stated that was the case, and all new data would be able to be scanned onto CD- ROMs in the future. MOTION: Keirn moved and Malone seconded a motion to approve the necessary funding to I update the municipal infrastructure plan. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS I Mr. Fritsinger reported on the dates of the Ramsey County Open Houses (Monday March 10 at I 6:30 p.m., Wednesday March 12 at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m.). These are approximately two-hour tours, and if Council members would let him know which, if any, they I plan to attend, he will call that information in to Ramsey County, Mayor Probst indicated he will attempt to attend on Thursday, March B. Mr. Fritsinger reported on the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office reconciliation of services for I 1996, with the total being $59,049, which was a higher amount than anticipated by approximately $15,000. I Mayor Probst stated the amount for this item seems to be increasing every year, and these rebates are starting to approach 10% of budgeted expenditures for Police Protection services. Mr. .. Fritsinger agreed the amounts have risen for each of the last three years. Mr. Fritsinger stated this issue has been discussed among the various city managers in the last six months. It is his opinion now that with contract labor settlements having been accomplished by Ramsey County, I the costs should stabilize in the future. He further stated City managers have discussed the possibility of a five-year budget, and other means of better forecasting costs for these services. I Councilmember Malone commented Arden Hills has a small amount of patrol coverage per capita. In his opinion, it would be more beneficial for another patrol car to be added to the I county rather than a cash refund for the City. Mayor Probst stated there are indications that the TCAAP program will impose certain I requirements on the City that will have to be dealt with in the future. A discussion ensued regarding coverage between the cities covered under the Ramsey County I Contract Cities agreement. Councilmember Hicks inquired how the City can be assured that $59,000 is a reasonable amount. I Mr. Fritsinger stated this was mostly taken on good faith from the County. Councilmember Hicks inquired if these monies need to be paid up front. Mr. Fritsinger stated I this was the case. .. I I' DRAFT I ARDEN BILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24.1997 9 I- Mr. Fritsinger stated the business luncheon was to be held on Thursday at noon at the Holiday Inn. Mayor Probst indicated he would not be able to attend this function. I COUNCIL COMMENTS I Councilmember Malone stated he will attempt to keep the Council updated on discussions of the Transportation Advisory Board. He reported some of the projects affecting the City include the signal light at County Road F, which is scheduled for 1998, and the Highway 610 work, which is I scheduled for this summer. Mayor Probst inquired if the map provided to Council in the non- agenda mail was the official MNDOT plan. Councilmember Malone stated that it was, and proceeded with a brief overview of the map. A brief discussion ensued regarding the boundaries I addressed on the map. Councilmember Keirn expressed her desire to appoint the Business Relations Committee in the I near future. Councilmember Keirn inquired if General Steiner had been contacted regarding the sidewalk I conditions at the armory. Mr. Fritsinger stated he had not been successful in contacting him, but he would attempt to do so this week. Ie Mayor Probst reported he has a meeting scheduled with the Mayors of northwest Ramsey County to discuss the newly-elected County Commissioners and how the various cities could work as a I group at the County level to accomplish their goals, This meeting is scheduled for Tuesday of this week. I Mayor Probst reviewed various meeting notices and invitations requesting his or Councilmember attendance, including the Welsh Companies groundbreaking, Metropolitan Council Meetings, Healthy Youth Coalition, and the LMC Annual meeting. I Mayor Probst indicated the planning director for the City of Minneapolis is scheduled to attend the Wednesday morning meeting of the I-35W Coalition. He stated this might mean the City of I Minneapolis intends to become involved in this project. Mayor Probst indicated he would not be returning the Suburban Chamber of Commerce survey I on property taxes, as he does not feel the property tax issue is clear enough to justify simply a "yes" or "no" answer. I Mayor Probst reported that TCMP activities should start to payoff in the near future. The City should have access to the property by Fall of this year. He stated it is his desire to begin projects I immediately after taking possession of this property. The National Guard has indicated it can construct soccerlbaseball fields on this property as a training exercise. fI I . ~ - ------- DRAFT .. ARDEN HlkLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 24. 1997 1]. Councilmember Malone reported there is a bill pending in the Legislature regarding waste _. control pricing. Councilmember Aplikowski requested the status of plans for the new Arden Hills City Hall be I placed on the Council retreat agenda. ADJOURN I MOTION: Hicks moved and Malone seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (5-0), . . Dennis Probst Brian Fritsinger I Mayor City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS I The next regular City Council meeting will be held March 10,1997, at 7:30 p.m, at the New .. Brighton Council Chambers, I I . I I I . .. I .. .. . . .. ------- ... I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PAGE IOF I I ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLAIMS REPORT TO BE APPROVED AT THE 03/10/97 COUNCIL MEETING . I CLAIMS PAID SINCE LAST COUNCIL MEETING (02124/97) I 1..Ck:# ICk/DA1'EIVENOOll. LAIoIOON'i'1 COMMEN'lS :1 c 1165XJ 02/21/97 Children's Museum ! 31.50 Vacalion Dav Event - 02/21 Godfather"s- Pizza . I 11691 02/21/97 33.57 Vacation Day Event 02/21 lli92 02/21197 So arts Soree Fun Park 54.00 Vacation Day Event - 02121 11738 02/27/97 E Z Recvcline, Inc. 4,714.00 F ebru arv Service 11739 02/25125 Ramsey County Public Works 522.92 Twenly Aerial Photos I 11740 02/25/25 Maier Stewart & Associates 20,529.25 Emdneerinl! Services - January . 11741 02/25/25 AT&T Wireless Services (Phoenix) 86.06 Current Invoices 11742 02/25/25 Hvdro Sunnlv Comnanv 1,279.94 Meter Parts 11743 02125/25 Rehbein Excavatinl!, Inc. 635.50 Sand Water Main Breaks I I 11744 02/25125 MN Department of Natural Resources 200.00 Advanced !{unter Education PrOllram 'i 11745 02/25/25 MN Recreation & Park Association 265.00 1997 Membershio Dues - Walsh & Petersen 11746 02/25125 I Kevin Ringwald 18.18 Reimb., I 35W Meeting & EDC Meetin" 11747 02/25/25 MacQueen Eauinmen,t, Inc. 60.00 Street Sweeoer Clinic - Reed and Moonev I 11748J 02/25/2.L Accurate Press, Inc. 117.15 Postcards Town Hall Meeting (3,300) 11749 02/25/25 Camorate Exnress - 359.42 V ~rious Office Supplies 11750 02/25125 Knox Lumber Comoanv 9.90 Lumber and Stain Shelving I 11751 02/25/25 United States Postal Service 400.00 Office Postage 11752 03/07/97 State CaDitol Credit Union 2,900.07 First March Payroll 11753 03/07/97 leMA Retirement Trust 457 1,251.92 First March Payroll " I 11754 03/07/97 Public Employees Retirement Assoc 2,422.01 First March Payroll Ie 11755 03/04/97 Medica Health Plans 3,467.10 March 97 Health Insurance 11756 03/04/97 I Metropolitan Council Environmental Ser 48,322.00 March 97 Sewer Services 11757 03/04/97 Government TraininQ Service 188.00 ~ GaJatowitsch/Larson Land Use Workshops 11758 ...O~/04/97 Metropolitan Council Envi!on~enta1 Ser 31,350.00 Februarv 97 SAC Charge I ----- ._. , . I .- --~--- I ---^- ------- I i' L :::j I I Total Accounts Payable Claims 119,217.491[ , for Council Approval, 03/10/97. I Note: Checks for unpaid claims totaling $25,007.86, were mailed on February 25th, 1997 after approval at the February 24th Council Meeting. They were check numbers 11695 - 11737. I This sequence corresponds to unpaid temporary numbers Tl- T43. Check numbers 11693 - 11694 were used for alignment. c"'""', {' I . - I I I_ ....... 0 0 N ~ ..~. 0 0 0" ~ 8 0 0 0 0 0 _ ~~ci;~,~ cidd~ ~o. dd....cici to = ~~..~ . ~~ ~ _ '"' '<t N ~ "*' Z"; ..;" II: ~ I il:' ><..... ~ ~ ,; _ ~ .. e ~ .... e f-o ;::: U ~ .. i '<t ..... .... "" t- 0 ':i!$ '<t ..... <:> <:> <:> ...... 0 r- N 01 .... 00 Q. N "" 't:l.8 8- \DO N ..oo-:r-. NO"""""'" """'''''<tm O\t-_ N..e I .~....'.. ~ ~ ~ r;:; ~ .:; ci :~ ~ 8 ~ ~ ~ g g g r2 :~.':". g ~ :; ~:;; ~ ~ ll: ~ "" '<t 0\ '<t ~ _ 0\ ,...; 00 Q. lf1 ...~ 0\ '<t "" Q..,. ~ ~ ~ .~-..;^. .". N ..roO....<""....,...., ..........~ ill';;~ ._ .... .... "" :.-. 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N >c '>0 .':'0 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 0' 0 0 0 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 0 0 0 8 S ;5 8 ~ () l.!..'-..,:.Z.:I a a 0 a a a a ola a a ..... ~ ..... a a 0 0 a a a a 0 a .... t-- ~ 00 GO GO <0 ~ <00000 0.. ~ ~ .:: ......................... '" '" M '" N N <'I '" '" '" ~ <"> <"> '" ~ ~ "'" "'" .,. ~ .,. .,. 'o:t .,. "'" ~ .,. .,. .,. ~ .,. "'" "'" ~ 1~'OI ~":O~~:O~2~~~~~~~\ll~~~~~~~~~~~8~~Sg:g8S~gS ~ _..:..'._..". .,..,..,. ~ ~ .,. ~ "'" .,. .,. .,. .,. 'o:t ~ .,. .,. .,. "'" "'" "'" "'" .,. ." "'" "'" ~ .,. V1 VI V1 V1 VI ".., V1 V1 V1 '" VI !;; I ()'" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.~~~~~~~~ ~ CITY OF ARDEN HILLS . MEMORANDUM DATE: February 25, 1997 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Brian Fritsinger, City Administrato(iii!j SUBJECT: Increase in Mileage Reimbursement Background The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set the 1997 automobile mileage reimbursement rate at 31.5 cents per mile, Employers may reimburse employees for substantiated business miles at this rate. The City Council has historically taken action that allows the City employee reimbursement rate to match the IRS rate. If approved, the 1.6% reimbursement rate increase from 31.0 cents to 31.5 cents is estimated to result in cost increases within the budgeted total ($3,700 or 11,746 miles) for this expenditure line item. The City Council may also wish to take action which .- automatically makes this adjustment on an annual basis, subject to the determination of the IRS. - Recommendation Staff recommends that Council consider approving a mileage reimbursement rate of 31.5 cents per mile as permitted by the IRS. BF/sls . ~ I I Decision Resources, LId. i' February, 1997 I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY City of Arden Hills I Methodology: I This study contains the results of a telephone survey of 403 randomly selected residents of the City of Arden Hills. Survey responses were gathered by professional interviewers across the I community between January 9 and January 23, 1997. The average interview took twenty-six minutes. In general, random samples such as this yield results projectable to the entire universe of adult Arden Hills residents within,j:; 5,0 percentage points in 95 out of 100 cases. I Residential Demographics: I In the seven year interim between studies, Arden Hills remained a mature, up-scale, very stable, and remarkably contented community. The median longevity of adult residents was 12.4 years, Ie an increase of3.9 years since the 1990 study. Nine percent of the sample reported moving to the city during the past two years, while twenty-six percent had been there over two decades. Over one-half of the sample came from two locations prior to moving to the community: twenty-two I percent reported moving from Saint Paul, while thirty-five percent moved from other Northern Ramsey County suburbs, A seventy-six percent majority either had no plans to move, or felt they would remain in Arden Hills for at least ten years. In line with the last study, forty-two percent I of the households contained school-aged children or pre-schoolers. Seventeen percent of the households reported the presence of seniors; twelve percent of the households were composed I exclusively of senior citizens. Ninety-seven percent owned their current residences, with ninety- one percent residing in single family homes. I The median age of adult respondents was 48,7 years old, an increase 00.4 years since the 1990 study. Fifty percent of the sample fell into the 45-64 year age range, reflecting the increasing age of the "bubble" noted in the earlier study, Fifty-one percent reported heads-of-households I working in either Professional-Technical or Owner-Manager jobs, a decrease of sixteen percent since 1990 and reflective of corporate "downsizing." Twenty-two percent held jobs in the Clerical-Sales field, a three-fold increase since 1990, Twenty-four percent reported household I members working in Arden Hills. The median household yearly income was $68,500.00, approximately $17,500.00 higher than the current Metropolitan Area suburban norm. In general, then, the changing demographics of Arden Hills reflect both national trends and the on-going I Metropolitan Area "suburbanization" of job sites. f' I I I Decision Resources, Lid. {' February, 1997 I General Perceptions of the City: Location, high quality schools, and available housing were the major reasons offered for settling I in the community; thirty-seven percent mentioned the first reason, while twenty percent cited schools and eighteen percent pointed to housing. Small town ambience, parks, peacefulness, strong neighborhoods, ruralness, and lower taxes were also positive attributes. A very strong I ninety-seven percent rated the quality oflife as either "excellent" or "good;" the fifty-one percent rating it as "excellent" again placed Arden Hills among the strongest ratings within the Metropolitan Area, In comparison with seven years ago, residents remained extremely satisfied I with their lives in the community and were still drawn to Arden Hills by the same historically important factors. I "Location" within the Metropolitan Area was the most liked feature of the city. At thirty-eight percent, a level identical to the 1990 benchmark, it dwarfed all other responses. Quiet, strong I neighborhoods, open spaces, rural ambience, well-run community, good schools, and friendly people were each cited by between four and nine percent. On the other hand, inadequate city services, at fifteen percent, unresponsive city govemment, at twelve percent, traffic congestion Ie and property taxes, each at ten percent, were the most unpopular features of the community. One change, in line with the rest of the Metropolitan Area, was the decrease in "boosters" who disliked "nothing" about the city. In 1990, thirty-two percent reported there was "nothing" they I disliked about Arden Hills; in 1997, the number had dropped to fourteen percent. Even so, this "booster" segment remained well above the Metropolitan Area suburban norm. I The trade-off between city services and property taxes appeared to have emerged as the greatest tension within the community. Proponents of a more activist city government providing a greater array of city services tended to be relatively recent -- that is, less than ten year -- residents of the I community. Those much more intense about holding the line on property taxes through a less activist city government concentrating on basic city services were most apt to be longer term residents, particularly those living in Arden Hills over twenty years. If this dichotomy continues I into the future, the City should anticipate a growing demand for a "full line" of city government services in line with neighboring Ramsey County communities. I Seventy-eight percent rated the sense of community among Arden Hills citizens as "excellent" or "good." This result was virtually unchanged from the 1990 benchmark and did not reflect the I growing trend among suburbs toward greater fragmentation. I Perceptions of the City "Enterprise:" Residents continued to feel empowered within the community. Seventy-four percent reported t' Page 2 I I I Decision Resources, LId. ,. February, 1997 I they could have a say in the way the City of Arden Hills runs things, if they wanted. An unusually small twenty percent thought they could not. This group of alienated citizens remained one of the smallest present in any Metropolitan Area suburb. I The Mayor and Council were awarded a job approval rating of sixty-six percent and a disapproval rating of fifteen percent. Although eleven percent lower than the 1990 benchmark I level, the approval rating was high in comparison with other Metropolitan Area suburbs, and the almost four-to-one approval-to-disapproval rating was strong. Additionally, a moderately high forty-three percent felt they knew "a great deal" or "fair amount" about the work of the Mayor I and City Council; even so, many of the ratings were based upon generalized feelings that a "good job was occurring" or "no problems had arisen in the past." The City may wish to consider highlighting more fully City Council actions and activities in the city newsletter. I The City Staff received a job approval rating of seventy-eight percent and a disapproval rating of ten percent. Both the absolute level of approval and the almost eight-to-one ratio of approval-to- I disapproval were much higher than the suburban norm. In fact, the approval level reflected an eight percent increase since the 1990 benchmark study. The thirty-eight percent of the residents Ie reporting first-hand contact with the staff was much higher than comparable suburban areas. The approval ratings of staff stemmed primarily from good experiences with them; the negative ratings resulted from feelings that the staff could improve. I Experiences with City Half: I Forty-six percent Qfthe sample reported visiting City Hall during the past year. Forty-one percent were aware of its operating hours and the differences between standard hours of I operation and summer hours. A comparatively high eighty-three percent felt the current hours were either "very convenient" or "somewhat convenient;" only fifteen percent were more critical. But, the residents split on the relative convenience of standard operating hours versus summer I hours: while forty-four percent indicated it made no difference to their visiting the facility, twenty-nine percent reported summer hours were more convenient and twenty-three percent felt similarly about current standard operating hours. Residents were specific, though, on the issue of I additional personnel costs to expand operating hours: fifty-eight percent opposed either "longer evening hours on one weeknight" or "Saturday morning hours" if additional staff costs were incurred. I Fifty percent of the sample had either visited City Hall or contacted it by telephone during the I past year. The Park and Recreation Department accounted for the most contacts, at twenty-eight percent. General information queries followed at eighteen percent, while the Public Works Department was either telephoned or visited by seventeen percent. Rounding out the list, thirteen f' Page 3 I I I Decision Resources, LId. f' February, /997 I percent reported contacting City Administration/City CounciL Exceptionally strong ninety-one percent positive ratings characterized "waiting time for the Information Desk to respond" and "courtesy of the Information Desk operator." Eighty-seven percent felt similarly about the I "courtesy of the Department staff' and seventy-nine percent highly rated the "efficiency of the Department staff." I The only service area which posted a significant negative rating, at seventeen percent, was the "ease of reaching a Department staff member who could help." In reviewing marginal comments, residents expressed more concern about actually reaching a staff member, rather than I being connected with an inappropriate or incorrect staff member. While the City of Arden Hills may wish to consider ways to streamline the efficiency of telephone call transfer process from the Information Desk to the relevant Department, the key problem appeared to be inherent in any I organization with a small-sized staff. I City Tax Climate: Ie Arden Hills residents were "fiscal moderates" with respect to local government. By a forty-eight percent to thirty-eight percent split, they supported a property tax increase to maintain city services at their current level; opposition had dropped six percent since the 1990 study. Thirty- I one percent reported their current property taxes as either "relatively high" or "excessively high," an eleven percent decrease since the benchmark survey; sixty-seven percent viewed them as "about average" or "comparatively low." Even though the City's tax rate has remained relatively I stable during the past few years, thirty-seven percent felt it had increased and thirteen percent were unsure. The median estimate of the City's share of the property tax was sixteen percent, three percent higher than the current rate. Residents, then, continued to be in an "cautious" mood I with respect to their taxes, and would require proponents to justify any proposals to raise them. I City Services: City services were, however, viewed by eighty-three percent as "excellent" or "good" values for I the property taxes paid; this level represented a nine percent increase since the 1990 study. In fact, city services evaluations were moderately positive, with a few notable exceptions. Police protection, fire protection, sanitary sewer, storm water management and water quality, snow I plowing, and summer park maintenance scored approval ratings of eighty percent or higher. Animal control and street sweeping topped seventy percent approval marks. City street repair I and maintenance, winter park maintenance, and enforcement of selected city codes received approval ratings of over sixty percent. Planning and zoning regulations were viewed favorably by fifty-six percent. On average, city service approval ratings were seven percent lower than the f' Page 4 I . Decision Resources, Lid February, 1997 - current suburban norm. Fairly high disapproval levels were also encountered: city street repair and maintenance, planning and zoning regulations, and enforcement of selected city codes eamed negative ratings in excess of twenty percent. The generally lower ratings of city services may be the cause of concerns expressed in other parts of the survey; but, in any case, the City may wish to re-examine the latter three services for effectiveness and responsiveness. When asked for the reason for low city service ratings, slow response was a key negative for snow plowing. Lack of code enforcement was also a substantial complaint, while the need for increased police patrolling troubled a moderate number of residents. ~ - In reviewing a list of possible service expansions, three received majority support: snow plowing of city trails, construction of additional city trails, and park redevelopment. Increased lighting, I landscaping, and trails along Highway 96 was more polarizing: forty-eight percent support it, while thirty-six percent opposed it. When service expansion supporters were reminding that additional dollars for funding these service expansion would be required, support become I somewhat more tepid: sixty percent remained unchanged in their opinions, but seventeen percent became opponents and twenty-one percent wanted to know about costs before renewing their earlier commitments. Ie Only twenty-three percent were aware the City of Arden Hills offered senior citizens discounts I on sewer and water bills, However, seventy-one percent favored the continuation of this discount program. I Fifty percent reported observing or participating in a situation where a member of the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department was present in an official capacity. Eighty-eight percent of these participant-observers thought the police handled the situation in a "good" or "excellent" manner. I But only seventy-four percent also felt the police responded promptly to the calL Changing emphasis somewhat, sixty-nine percent of the residents felt the amount of police patrolling in their neighborhood was "about right;" twenty-one percent -- well below the current suburban I norm __ labeled it "not enough." Overall, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department obtains solid evaluations from Arden Hills citizens. But, part of the satisfaction may have resulted from the lack of concern about crime in the community: only sixteen percent felt it was "very serious" or I "somewhat serious." Only thirteen percent of the sample reported being involved in or observing a situation where the I Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department was present in an official capacity. Virtually all of them rated the handling of the situation by the fire fighters as either "excellent" or "good," and I ninety-eight percent felt they responded promptly. In general, like the Sheriff's Department, the Lake Johanna Volunteer Fire Department continued to possess the overwhelming endorsement of the citizenry. t' Page 5 I , I I Decision Resources, Lid. i' February, /997 I Parks and Recreation: Arden Hills residents continued to be outdoor enthusiasts: sixty-one percent prefer outdoor I leisure time activities, while fifteen percent opted for the indoors. An exceptionally high eighty- one percent also feel at least "somewhat informed" about the Arden Hills park system and its facilities. Seventy-eight percent of the citizenry use the parks or recreational facilities at least I "occasionally," and a solid eighty-four percent rate them as either "excellent" or "good." The basis for good evaluations was that facilities were clean and kept-up, as well as being good and fun to use; lower evaluations were motivated by the perception that improvements and I expansions could be made. Facilities, then, were viewed fairly positively by most residents. Eighty-two percent of the residents thought the current mix of recreational opportunities met the I needs of their households. Trails, youth facilities, ballfields, a swimming pool, and a skating complex were mentioned as possible additions by relatively small numbers of residents. Like park facilities, recreational programming also appeared to be satisfying the needs of most I residents. In fact, significant majorities supported expanding current recreational programs: sixty-two percent favored more adult recreational programs; seventy percent supported more Ie senior programs; and, seventy-three percent approved of expanding youth programs. I Recycling and Solid Waste Management: A very high ninety-four percent, up six percent since the 1990 study, participated in the curbside I pick-up recycling program; this level of participation was about five percent higher than the current suburban norm. A sixty-five percent majority recycled weekly, while another eighteen percent did so twice monthly. Ninety-two percent, an increase of fifteen percent during the I interim, were satisfied with the program. Of the small number expressing dissatisfaction, one major complaint was leveled: the need to pick-up plastics. Providing further information to residents could increase participation in the curbside pick-up program by another two percent. I The Arden Hills program remained a clear success. On related waste management issues, a solid seventy percent of the community preferred the I present "free-market" refuse hauling system over designation of one company or assignment of haulers to exclusive zones or pick-up days by the City. Fifty-nine percent reported participating during the past five years in the Spring and Fall "Clean Up Days" jointly provided by the Cities I of Arden Hills and Shoreview. But, only twenty percent would favor Arden Hills having its own "Clean Up Day" if it cost more. I 6 Page 6 ~ - I I Decision Resources, LId. ~ February, /997 I Development and Re-Development Issues: Seventy-one percent of the sample felt the pace of economic development was "about right;" ten I percent described it as "too slow," while six percent saw it as "too fast." These results were virtually unchanged since the 1990 benchmark study. Most residents thought city actions to date had resulted in a "good mix" of development projects. In expressing preferences for future I development, the most support was evidenced for "retail/stores," at twenty-three percent. "Residential" scored second, at seventeen percent, and "office/commercial" ran third, at fourteen percent. A shift in citizen priorities has occurred from "office/commercial" types of development I to "retail/shopping" opportunities. Fifty percent of the sample supported the City taking an active and aggressive role in attracting I targeted development, but fifty-one percent oppose offering [mancial incentives as part of that package. A marked decreased had occurred in support of an active and aggressive role: in the 1990 benchmark study, seventy-five percent supported this approach, I While residents possessed very definite views about the appropriate city action on several types Ie of development opportunities, a lack of consensus was also clear in several key areas. Majorities or strong pluralities of citizens thought the City should act aggressively to attract affordable housing, townhouses, senior citizen housing, commercial office buildings, parks and recreational I open spaces, and quality sit-down restaurants. They also thought the City should act aggressively to discourage apartment buildings, mobile homes, and retail shopping centers. Residents offered no unified view of action to take on condominiums and light industrial parks. Projects falling I into those categories will garner either citizen support or opposition after review of their specific parameters. The greatest polarization, then, was noted on retail shopping centers/opportunities: about one-quarter of the community felt it should be a key priority for action by the City, while I about one-half though it should be actively discouraged. On a development-related issue, the vast majority of residents reported they were not dependent I on available public transportation. Currently, only seven percent of the households sampled fell into the "very dependent" or "somewhat dependent" categories, while eighty-nine percent were "not at all dependent." I The issue of financial responsibility for neighborhood improvements found residents arriving at I similar conclusions for two types of project. Forty-five percent felt the entire city should pay for street reconstruction, while thirty-one percent felt it should only be paid by directly affected neighborhoods. On sidewalks and trails, there was somewhat more unanimity: fifty-six percent I felt costs should be shared citywide, while twenty-five percent thought only the area of the city under construction should bear the costs. These responses represented a reversal from those previously held in the 1990 benchmark study. re Page 7 I I I Decision Resources, LId. f' February, 1997 I A consensus has developed, though, around the appropriate formula for the cost-sharing arrangement between impacted residents and city as a whole: seventy-seven percent would continue the current pavement management program, while only eleven percent would move to I paying all costs out of general property tax revenue. Similarly, fifty-five percent would oppose the City underwriting a higher share of the costs of street improvement though the use of property tax revenue. I Lakes and Environmental Concerns: I While seventy-three percent rated the quality of the lakes in Arden Hills as "excellent" or "good," forty-seven percent rated their clarity as "only fair" or "poor." Reflective of the latter I result, by a sixty-eight percent to twenty-one percent margin, residents favored the City requiring the use of phosphate-free lawn fertilizers. I Twin City Army Ammunition Plant Property: Ie Eighty percent of the sample was aware of the current plans for multiple uses of the TCAAP property in Arden Hills. By a decisive sixty-nine percent to nineteen percent judgment, they I favor the current plans for re-use of the land. And, fifty-nine percent indicated that either a "top priority" or "high priority" should be assigned to the City guiding future development of the site, I New City Hall: I By a sixty-seven percent to twenty-seven percent judgment, residents felt the new City Hall should include community space or meeting rooms for use by citizens and local community groups. A narrower margin, forty-three percent to thirty-seven percent, endorsed including office I space in the facility leasable by other local, state, or federal agencies. The latter result showed a decrease in support for a multi-use facility since the 1990 benchmark study. In making suggestions about the new City Hall, thirty-four percent urged the City Council to "keep costs I reasonable." I Communication Channels: I The City has lost the very well developed and focused communications system found in the 1990 study with the passing ofthe old "Town Crier." Newspapers were relied upon almost as equally as the city newsletter for information about community events and relied upon more heavily for t' Page 8 I I I Decision Resources, Ltd. f' February, 1997 I information about City government activities. In the past, the city newsletter dwarfed local newspapers as the effective carrier of local information. I A solid eighty-eight percent of the residents reported receiving the monthly "Arden Hills Notes" newsletter, while seventy-seven percent regularly read it. Most residents had no suggestions for changes or improvements in its format or coverage, although a small number would prefer I longer, more in-depth articles. This reach percent placed the current city newsletter in the third quartile of suburban publications, a major change from its first place in the 1990 study. I Electronic media ran a distant second, Forty-eight percent of the sampled households reported currently subscribing to cable television. Twenty-four percent of the households on cable television at least "occasionally" watched local government access Channel 16. Thirteen percent I of the subscribers at least "occasionally" viewed City Council Meeting cablecasts. The effective reach of these telecasts, then, was about six percent ofthe households in the community. Among I those not subscribing to cable television, only fourteen percent reported awareness of the free "Universal Service" offered by the Cable Company. Ie Sixty-nine percent of the households in Arden Hills owned a personal computer; fifty-four percent had modems installed on them. Among modem-equipped respondents, fifty-two percent were at least "somewhat likely" to use electronic mail to seek information from the City of Arden I Hills and sixty percent were similarly likely to use a City of Arden Hills "Homepage." With a well-publicized computer access, the City could expect about one-quarter of its residents to utilize the service, I Summary and Conclusions: I In general, Arden Hills citizens remained very satisfied with the community. The key issue facing decision-makers in the future, as it was in the 1990 benchmark study, was balancing the I needs and wants of citizens with their concerns as taxpayers, particularly in the provision of city services. In fact, this issue has only gained significance during the interim years. While residents were not reflexively anti-taxation, in fact, tax hostility was found to be somewhat more limited in I the current study, they were inclined to view proposals very critically and reject most of those tested; the burden of proof is clearly on proponents. The community continued to avoid many of I development's most undesirable consequences which have occurred in neighboring areas. But, residents seemed not as keen about an increased effort by the City Council on development issues, except for the TCAAP site. If the present pace and range of development continues, most I residents will accept growth as an inevitable part of the evolution of the city. While the results in this study reflect several of the general trends occurring in the Metropolitan .. Page 9 I --- I I Decision Resources. Ltd. ~ February, 1997 I Area, Arden Hills has managed to avoid many of the common pitfalls of other suburbs. Community cohesion remained high and City credibility was not an issue. The community also "matured" gracefully during the intervening seven years between studies. Shared community I values and goals remained relatively unchanged, during a period of suburban "turbulence," Mature White Collar communities, such as Arden Hills, have high expectations about their government and its services; since the results of this study strongly suggest these expectations I will continue to grow over time, the City may wish to periodically update its service array for completeness and effectiveness in meeting the needs of the citizenry. I I I Ie I I I I I I I f' Page 10 I I I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS ,. MEMORANDUM DATE; February 27, 1997 I TO; Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator ?S. I FROM: Dwayne Stafford, Public Works Superintendent SUBJECT; Highway 96 Parking I Back!!round I The Ramsey County Department of Public Warks has identified all of Highway 96 within the City of Arden Hills for re-construction. The first segment is scheduled to be completed in 1998 and the remaining segment in the year 2000. This reconstruction will include four (4) traffic I lanes, plus turning lanes. Shoulder areas will only exist where no turning lanes are constructed. Parking I Although, paved shoulders will be available along portions of the road for emergency stopping, the high volume of traffic, the speeds, and the narrower shoulders will prohibit safe parking. Ie Recommendation The Project Engineer for the Highway 96 re-construction has asked each City along the Highway 96 corridor to adopt a resolution banning parking on either side of the highway at any time. I The Public Works Department asks that the City Council adopt the attached resolution. I I I I I I it I I STATE OF MINNESOTA I RAMSEY COUNTY CITY OF ARDEN HILLS .. RESOLUTION NO. 97-12 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING "NO PARKING" RESTRICTIONS ON BOTH I SIDES OF T.H. HIGHWAY 96 WITHIN THE CITY OF ARDEN HILLS WHEREAS, the City of Arden Hills and Ramsey County have planned the improvement ofT.H. I Highway 96 from Lexington A venue to Interstate 35W and; WHEREAS, this improvement does not provide adequate width for parking on the street and the I project must therefore be conditioned upon certain parking restrictions. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Arden Hills I shall ban parking of motor vehicles on both sides of T.H. Highway 96 within the City of Arden Hills at all times. I PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARDEN HILLS THIS 10TH DAY OF MARCH, 1997. I .. DENNIS PROBST, MAYOR I ATTEST: I - I BRIAN FRITSINGER, CITY ADMINISTRATOR I I I I -- I - -------.- -_. ~ I I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS i' MEMORANDUM DATE; March 6, 1997 I TO: City Council FROM: Dennis Probst, Mayor I SUBJECT; Business Relations Committee Status/Appointments I As the City Council knows, I have been evaluating the activities of the current Economic Development Committee to attempt to make either appointments or changes which best serve the citizens of Arden Hills. As a result of this evaluation, I believe that some changes in the structure ofthe Committee is I warranted. What I proposed is redefining the goals and status of the current committee and the creation ofa task I force to assist with some very specific economic development projects. Business Relations Committee I Mission: To be a pro-active committee assisting the City Council of Arden Hills in developing, retaining and promoting the City. Ie Goals; a. To facilitate lines of open communication between businesses and the City of Arden Hills; b. To welcome new business entering Arden Hills; I c. To sent out thank you letters to businesses who are maintaining and improving their place of business; d. To assist the City in addressing requests, complaints and suggestions from local I businesses; e. To develop a method of communicating with businesses in the form of a quarterly luncheon or business appreciation day. I Council Liaison: Susan Keirn Staff I Liaison: Kevin Ringwald Committee I Chairperson; Dan McCallum Committee I Appointments: Other Suggested Areas of Appointment: Dawn McCallum - MarketingIP .R. Tom Goblirsch - Norwest Banks - Big BusinesslName I Recognition Kevin Shockling - Hospitality t- I ---- - I Memorandum - Business Relations Committee Status/Appointments I Page Two March 6, 1997 .. Business Develonment Task Force Mission: To assist with the review of the business needs, target marketing, and commercial/residential redevelopment efforts of the community. I Goals: a. Review the LexingtonlFox Study and determine the types of businesses desired, and make recommendations to the Planning Commission and Finance I Committee as to how this is accomplished; b. Review the office component of the Gateway Business District and determine, through a recommendation to the City Council, who should be target-marketed I and how should this marketing occur; c. Review other commercial/residential redevelopment opportunities within the City, and make recommendations to the City Council as to the findings (i.e., I Arden Plaza, Connelly Street area, Thorn Drive area, etc....) Council Liaison: Beverly Aplikowski I Staff Liaison: Kevin Ringwald I Committee Chairperson: Jeanne Winiecki Committee .. Appointments: Other Suggested Areas of Appointment: Ray McGraw , Developer/Development I Tom Andreaen i.e.: St. Paul MetalCraft, Steve Freimuth St. Paul Companies, Ted Brausen Roberts Company, Architect I Terry Nagle Arnold Lindberg , MarketingIP.R. I ' Realtor RecommendationlRequested Action I The City Council may wish to consider the ratification of the committee/task force and appointments identified above. I I I .. I ---- I I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS ~ MEMORANDUM DATE; March 4, 1997 I TO; Mayor and City Council I FROM; Brian Fritsinger, City Administrator@ I SUBJECT; Committee Roles Backg-round I At its February 10, 1997 meeting, the Arden Hills City Council made appointments to most of its committees and commissions for 1997. These appointments concluded a program of restructuring the previous committee process. I In restructuring the committees, the City Council discussed a variety of committee-related issues which it indicated it would resolve. These issues included the role of staff, role of Council I Liaison, role of committee, number of unexcused absences, number of members, and service on multiple committees. The City Council, at the February 10 meeting, directed staff to outline Ie each of these issues and provide the information to the City Council for review and direction. Role of Staff I The primary role of staff is to provide background information to the committees. The role of staff is to keep the committee focused on the prioritized goaIs outlined by the City Council. Staff (or Council Liaison) would take any recommendations of the committee and forward to the City I Council. Staff will prepare all meeting agenda packets and mail them, based on the direction of the committee chairperson. Staff should provide any background information it has available to assist with the discussion of agenda items. Committee minutes are the responsibility of the I committee and not staff. Role of Council Liaison/Council I The primary role of the Council Liaison is to represent/clarify Council positions on issues, provide feedback to the committee based on the goaIs of the City Council, and report back to the I full City Council any relevant issues of discussion. Councilmembers should not take an active part in discussions, i.e.: tell committees how to do things; take minutes of meetings, or involve themselves in any way which may bias the committee on any issue. I The City Council would provide, at the beginning of each year, its prioritized goals to each City commission or committee. I t' I I Memorandum - Committee Roles I Page Two March 4, 1997 -- Role of Committee/Commission Each committee would elect a Vice Chairperson and Secretary. It would be the responsibility of I the chairperson to provide staff with the agenda for upcoming meetings. The Secretary would keep all minutes and provide them to staff for processing and inclusion in meeting packets. The committee would set its agendas based on the prioritized goals of the City Council. The I committee may wish to prepare a preliminary agenda for each meeting to be held during the calendar year which would be reviewed by the City Council. Number of Unexcused Absences I The City has not recently followed any set procedures on the number of unexcused absences from committee/commission meetings. Several years ago, there was an informal policy that I missing three meetings in a year was reason for not being re-appointed. The City Council may wish to state that committee members are expected to attend all meetings and should notifY City staff if they are unavailable to attend. Unexcused absences of three or more may be grounds for I termination of the appointment by the City Council. Number of Members I See below. The Planning Commission is allowed, by code, seven members. Staff would suggest allowing up to a maximum of nine (9) members on each remaining committee/commission. f# Service on Multi1)le Committees The City Council indicated that a resident can serve on up to two (2) different I committees/commissions at any given time. Committee Objectives I Business Relations Committee (9 members by resolution) The purpose of this Committee is to advise the Council on matters concerning the I preparation and development of marketing plans and programs, plans for business retention, and coordinating activities with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups active in the City. This Committee meets regularly once each month, currently at 8:00 I A.M. on the third Wednesday of each month. Ray McGraw - City liaison for Chamber of Commerce activities - quarterly reports to I Council. Finance Committee (7 members current) I This Committee is dedicated to providing citizen input on issues have a financial impact on the City of Arden Hills. Meetings are held at 7:30 P.M. on the third Thursday of each I month. Charlotte McNiesh - Ex-Officio, infrequent 3 - 4 meetings per year -. I ---- -- -- -------------- ___.._______u___ I' ~ Memorandum - Committee Roles Page Three March 4, 1997 Newsletter Committee (7 members current) I The purpose of this Committee is to report, write and edit the monthly newsletter publication. The Committee meets regularly on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:00 P.M. I Planning Commission (7 members by Code) The purpose of this Commission is to advise the Council on all City land use planning I matters. Duties include the development and maintenance of the Arden Hills Comprehensive Plan, carrying out procedures dictated by Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.351 - 462.365 and City Code, review and investigation of various planning matters as I directed by the City Council, and making recommendations to the City Council. The Planning Commission meets at 7:30 P.M. the first Wednesday of each month. I Parks & Recreation Commission (8 members current) Dedicated to serving the people of Arden Hills by providing a comprehensive, weIl- I maintained system of parks, trails, facilities and open spaces, and a balanced, well- organized program of affordable recreational activities. The Commission meets at the Army Reserve Center on the fourth Tuesday or Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Ie .Public Safety Commission (7 members current) The purpose of this Commission is to advise the Council on matters that relate to the I goals, policies and operations on public safety functions. Duties shall include assisting the Police and Fire Departments in such activities as assessing community concerns relating to public safety issues, developing long range strategic plans, developing and I monitoring achievement of performance measures. The Committee meets bi-monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 P.M. I Youth Commission No defined objectives and no current members. I Human Rights Committee Disbanded 2/97 I Sushila Shah - City liaison for Human Rights activities - quarterly reports to Council. I I ,. I ,~ ~-1 . M I CITY OF ARDEN HILLS I- 1450 WEST HIGHWAY 96 ARDEN HILLS, MN 55112-5794 I I PUBLIC NOTICE I Due to scheduling conflicts, the City of Arden Hills Council Worksession scheduled for I Tuesday, February 18, 1997 has been canceled. The next scheduled Council W orksession is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 1997. I I For additional information, please contact City Hall at 633-5676 Ie I Brian Fritsinger City Administrator I I I I I I f' I PHONE: 16121 633-5676 . FAX 16121 633-7839