HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 12-11-2006
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~~~ILLS
Approved: 1/8/07
CITY OF ARDEN HII_LS, MINNESOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 11, 2006; 7:00 P.M.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and noticc thereof, Mayor Beverly Aplikowski called to order the
regular City Council mecting at 7:04 p.m.
Present: Mayor Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmcmbers David Grant, Gregg Larson,
Brenda Holden, and Vincent Pellegrin.
Absent: None.
Also present wcre City Administrator, Michelle Wolfc; Public Works Director, Gregory
Hoag; Community Development Director, Karcn Barton; City Engineer, Schawn
Johnson; City Planner, .Tames Lehnhoff; Parks and Recreation Manager, Michelle Olson;
Building Onicial Dave Scherbel; Planning COlllmissioner Clayton Larson; and Rccording
Secretary, Kathleen Altman,
1. APPROV AI. OF MEETING AGENDA
Councilmember Larson rcquested item 3d be pulled from the Conscnt Calendar and added as
item 4.
MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Couneilmcmber Grant seconded a
motion to approvc thc meeting agcnda as amended. The motion carried
unanimously (5-0).
2. APPROV AL OF MINUTES
A. November 27,2006 City Council Meeting
B. November 20, 2006 City Council Work Session
C. October 30,2006 City Council Work Session
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - December 11,2006 2
D. December 4,2006 Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing
Councilmember Holden requested the following changes: November 20, 2006 Work Session
Meeting, Page 7, paragraph 7, remove one hour and replace with one-half hour.
MOTION: Council member Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a
motion to approve the November 26, 2006 City Council Meeting Minutes
as presented, the November 20, 2006 City Council Work Session <l;S
amended, the October 30, 2006 City Council Work Session as presented,
and the December 4. 2006 Council Work Session Minutes as presented.
The motion carricd unanimously (5-0).
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Claims and Payroll
b. Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 382: Approval of the 2007 Fee Schedule
c, Resolution 06-55: Certifying the Delinquent Utilities
d. Resolution 06 54: Ro','isin.; the City's Utility Rutes
e. Motion to Approve the Recording Secretary Service Agreement with TimeSaver
Off Site Secretarial Service, Inc.
f. Motion to Award the 2007 Tree Removal Contract
(J Motion to receive drainage and utility easements for the 2006 PMP Project and
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authorize staff to record said easements at Ramsey County
h. Motion to Contract with DS Productions for an Amount not to exceed $45,294.Q9
for the Video Equipment in the City Council Chambers.
1. Resolution 06-63: Setting the 2007 City of Arden Hills Recycling Fee for the
Residential Curbside Recycling Program.
J. Motion to Accept the Site Development/Landscaping Agreement for Hein Ngo
and Nguyet Ky of 3433 Lake Johanna Boulevard as required in Planning Case 06-
028.
k. Motion to Approve the Animal Control Contract with ASCI, Inc. for 2007
1. Motion to Approve the 2006 Budget Amendments
MOTION: Councilmember Pellegrin moved and Council member Holden seconded a
motion to approve the Consent Calendar removing item d and to authorize
execution of all necessary documcnts contained therein. The motion
carried unanimously (5-0).
4. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS
D. Resolution 06-54: Rcvising the City"s Utility Rates
Councilmember Larson noted the utility rates the City had in effect has created a differential for
seniors in the City. He stated he opposed this and he did not understand why the City had this
provision. Hc stated the City has not applied this type of a discount to any other services and if a
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - December 11, 2006 3
senior cannot afford to pay for their utilitics, there are other altcmatives. He recommended
Council restorc thc regular rates to all citizcns of the City.
MOTIO~: Councilmcmber Larson moved and Mayor Aplikowski seconded a motion
to amcnd Resolution 06-54 to eliminate the di fferential ratcs charged to
sClUors.
Council member Grant asked if thc senior ratcs applied to seniors who werc 62 or 65. Ms.
Wolfe stated shc believed it was 65.
Mayor Aplikowski asked what the ratc differcnce was. Ms. Wolfe responded it dcpended - the
base charge for the scwcr was a differcncc of almost $20.00; thc difference with water was that
there was no base or minimum for watcr chargcs for seniors. For non-seniors there was a base of
10,000 gallons regardlcss of usage. She notcd the major difference was the basc rate for the
sewer.
Mayor Aplikowski stated shc was a senior and had not applied for this assistance and would not
apply for it. Shc did not believe there was a need for this type of break for thc seniors.
Council member Larson stated he did not want to subsidize othcr people's water consumption.
Councilmember Holden stated there wcre seniors in her arca that were on a fixed income and
she expressed concern that the City had not done an examination as to how many people this
would affcct. She statcd the lower income pcople of the City might need this and she wanted an
examination as to how many people this would affect. Shc stated she was not in favor of the
amendmcnt at this timc.
Councilmember Holden stated thc City has had plcnty of time to do a financial assessment of
this.
Councilmember Grant stated he would not support the motion. He notcd he too had seniors in
his area who were on a fixed income and he did not want to remove this without studying it first.
Thc motion failed (2-3) (Councilmembers Grant, Holden, and Pellcgrin opposed).
MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a
motion to approve Resolution 06-54: Revising the City's Utility Rates.
The motion can-icd unanimously (5-0).
5. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL
Representatives of thc Fire Department prescntcd Council member Larson with a plaque
recognizing and thanking him for his service on the Firc Board of Dircctors and Board of
Trustees.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - December 11, 2006 4
\Villiam Henry, Chair of the PTRC, thanked the outgoing Councilmembers and Mayor for
their leadership and service to the City.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Property Maintenance Task Force
Planning Commission Member Clayton Larson stated the Mayor and City Council had
requested a task lorce be formed to research the adoption of a Property Maintenance Code to help
maintain property values in the City. The property maintenance task force and the Planning
Commission recommended the IPMC (2006 International Property Maintenance Code) for
adoption by the City Council. The task force was also requesting a Council recommendation as
to what extent they wish the IPMC to be enforced. The general consensus of the task force was
that proactive neighborhood sweeps were not needed at this time, but may be considered in the
future, with the realization that increased enforcement would create additional costs for the City.
Councilmember Grant thanked the Task Force for their hard work on this.
Councilmember Larson also thanked the Task Force and stated this was something the City
needed.
Councilmember Holden thanked the Task Force for their efforts.
Coullcilmember Pellegrin thanked the Task Force for their expeltise and work on this.
MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a
motion to approve the IPMC (2006 International Property Maintenance
Code). The motion carried unanimously (5-0).
MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Larson seconded a
motion to direct staff to work with the City Attorney to incorporate this
into the City Code. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).
B. Motion to Approve/Deny Plannin1! Case 06 035. Variance far John and Jeri Huyett
at 3203 ShorC'l"laad Drive. based an the Findin1!s and Four Conditions in the
Plannill1! Case Report
Pullcd from the agenda by applicants.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - December 11,2006 5
C. Motion to Approve Plannin2 Case 06-036. Site Plan Review for Ted Brausen-
Brausen's Service Gara2e at 1306 & 1310 Countv Road E. Based on the Findio2s
and 14 Conditions in the Plannin2 Case Report
Mr. Lehnhoff stated the applicant was proposing to replace a legal, nonCOnf011l1ing fifty-six (56)
square foot, fourteen and one-half (14,5) foot tall sign that was located at the northeastern comer
of the property with a new sixty-four (64) square foot sign of which twenty (20) square fect
would be used for thc business name and permanent accessory signage. The new sign would be
15.8 feet tall. The property owner is proposing to use the sign to display the time, temperature,
and advertising for the on-site garage station and the off-site vehicle repair business. Hc
indicated the Planning Commission recommended 4-2 to approve the Site Plan Review based on
thc submitted plans, fourteen findings of fact, and thirtccn conditions.
Mayor Aplikowski asked what color would the electronic letters be. John Ryder, Arrow Sign,
responded therc were two color choices, red or ambcr (yellow).
Councilmember Larson asked if the sign would be used for both properties (front and back).
Mr. Ryder statcd when they first discussed this, it was only for the back property, but it would
be uscd for both properties. He statcd they were attempting to updatc thc sign with a new logo.
Councilmember Holden stated she was not comfortable with recommcndation 4 with respect to
the five seconds. She recommcnded they increase it to ten seconds.
Councilmember Grant notcd if they were to take the properties individually they would be
allowed to have two signs.
Councilmember Larson stated hc was comf0l1able with the sign for the back property, but hc
was not comfortable with the flashing part ofthc sign.
Mayor Aplikowski believcd this new sign would enhance thc area by removing a couple of
other signs and it would draw the focus to the middle of thc property instead of the edge of the
property.
Councilmember Pellegrin stated from his standpoint, this sign was a big improvement to what
was there currently. He believed this type of sign was appealing and was not distracting.
Councilmember Larson stated he was not in support of this because of the flashing messages.
He stated he would support putting in a new non-flashing sign. Mr. Ryder noted the sign would
not flash or scroll. He indicated it would present one messagc for ten seconds, flash time and
temperature, and present another message for ten seconds.
Councilmember Larson stated he was having trouble with the rationale for thc sign and hc
believed this would also open the doors to other busincsses wanting similar signs in this area.
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - Dccembcr 11, 2006 6
MOTION: Councilmcmber Holdcn moved and Councilmember Pellcgrin seconded a
motion to amend Planning Case 06-036 rccommendation four from five
scconds to a minimum of tcn seconds. Thc motion catTied unanimously
( 5-0).
MOTION: Councilmcmbcr Holden movcd and Councilmember Pellegrin seconded a
motion to approvc Planning Casc 06-036, Site Plan Revicw for Ted
Brausen - Brausen' s Service Garage at 1306 and 1310 County Road E,
based on the 13 lindings and 14 conditions as noted in staff's December 7,
2006 report with the amended numbcr 4. Thc motion carried (4-1),
(Councilmcmber Larson opposed).
MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Council member Pellegrin scconded a
motion to approve the Sign Operation Agreement Option changing 3.0.B.3
from five seconds to ten seconds. The motion can'ied unanimously (5-0).
D. Resolution 06-62: Desi2:natin2: a Portion of the Arden Hills Trail System as the
Elmer L. Andersen Memorial Trail
Ms. Olson stat cd at the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) mecting, it was
rccommended by motion that the City Council adopt a resolution supporting the dedication and
designation of the trail segmcnt extcnding northcast from the intersection of Cleveland and
County Road D as the Elmer L. Andersen Memorial Trail.
Council member Grant rccommended stafflook at the minutes ofthc mecting to detemline what
the requirements for a memorial would be. He stated he believed they intended that a memorial
was for someone who had made a signi ficant contribution and who was deceased for three or
more years.
MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a
motion to adopt Resolution 06-62: Designating a portion of the Ardcn
Hills Trail System as the Elmer L. Andersen Memorial Trail. The motion
carried unanimously (5-0).
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approve 2007 Citv Bud2:et
1. Resolution No. 06-56: Adopting the 2007 Budget
Ms. Wolfe reviewed the 2007 budget highlights and recommended Council approve the 2007
budget, tax levies, employee compcnsation plan, and employec bcnefit contribution.
MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Councilmember Pellegrin second cd a
motion to approvc Resolution 06-56: Adopting the 2007 Budget. The
motion carried (4-1) (Councilmember Holden opposed).
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL -- Deccmbcr I L 2006 7
2. Resolution No. 06-57: Setting the Final Levy for Taxes
MOTION: Councilmember Larson moved and Counci Imember Pcllegrin seconded a
motion to approve Rcsolution No. 06-57: Setting the Final Levy for
Taxes. The motion carried (3-2) (Councilmembcrs Grant and Holden
opposed).
3. Resolution No. 06-58: Setting the Special Levy for the Karth Lake District
MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmcmber Pcllegrin seconded a
motion to approve Resolution 06-58: Sctting thc Special Lcvy for thc
Karth Lake District. Thc motion carried unanimously (5-0).
4. Resolution No. 06-59: Approving the 2007 Employee Compensation Plan
MOTION: Councilmcmbcr Holdcn movcd and Councilmembcr Granl scconded a
motion to approvc Rcsolution No. 06-59: Approving the 2007 Employce
Compensation Plan. The motion calTicd unanimously (5-0).
5. Resolution No. 06-60: Approving the 2007 City Contributions to the Non-
Bargaining Unit Employee Monthly Benefits
I\:lOTION: Councilmember Holden movcd and Councilmcmber Larson seconded a
motion to approve Resolution No. 06-60: Approving the 2007 City
Contributions to the Non-Bargaining Unit Employee Monthly Bcnefits.
The motion canied unanimously (5-0).
B. TCAAP Update
Ms. Barton updatcd thc Counci I on recent TC AAP developments.
9. COUNCIL REQUESTS
Councilmember Pellegin commended thc City staffs hard work and effort. He stated he
respected the Council's opinions and it was his privilege to scrve with them for this past year.
Mayor Aplikowski presented Councilmembcrs Pellcgrin and Larson with plaques rccognizing
thcir scrvicc to thc City.
Councilmember Holden thankcd Mayor Aplikowski, and Councilmembcrs Larson and Pcllegrin
for all of their hard work.
Council member Grant expressed his apprcciation to Councilmcmbers Larson, Pcllegrin, and
Mayor Apliko\vski.
ARDEN H lLLS CITY COUNCIL - December 11, 2006 8
Councilmember Larson stat cd he was apprcciative to the rcsidcnts of Arden Hills for allowing
him to serve on thc Council. He paid a tribute to fonncr Mayor Dennis Probst who sct thc stage
for TCAAP, the new City Hall, and the Joint Maintenancc facility. He also paid tribute to Mayor
Aplikowski for her scrvice to the City. He presentcd Mayor Aplikowski with a plaque
rccognizing hcr service to thc City. He acknowledged the dedication of the City staff and
residents who contributed to the committces.
Mayor Aplikowski stated she has scrved with six different City Administrators and a variety of
staff people. Shc stated one of the regrets shc had was that they finally had a staff in place. She
thankcd staff for working for the City. She statcd it has been a pleasure to serve as both a
Councilmember and Mayor. She statcd she will miss being on the Council. She thanked
evcryone for bcing part of the future of Arden Hills. Shc wished the new Council the best of
luck.
ity Council Mecting at 8:50 p.m.
yviMkQ~),v~
'chellc Wolfe
City Administrator
NOTICE OF MEETINGS
The next Council Meeting will be held Monday, January 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Arden Hills
Council Chambers.