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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-11-07-R ~ /],\~HILLS Approved: July 30, 2007 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11,2007; 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, David McClung, and Fran Holmes. Absent: None. Also present were City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Public Works Director, Gregory Hoag; Civil Engineer, Kris Giga; City Planner, James Lehnhoff; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; and Recording Secretary, Kathleen Altman. 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INOUlRIES/INFORMATIONAL Richard Wenzel, 1931 Noble Road, stated he had previously asked why the ordinances were not being enforced, specifically referring to the two homes on County Road D. He noted the situation has gotten worse and he asked why nothing has been done. Mayor Harpstead stated there was no answer tonight and this has been assigned to staff and they would get back to him. Councilmember Holmes asked where the properties were. Mr. Wenzel responded they were on County Road D between Fairview and Prior. David Boldt, 1555 Briarknoll Circle, read from a prepared statement regarding the Highway 96 and Highway 10 intersection and his opposition and disappointment with the proposed current plans for the intersection. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 11,2007 2 Larry Stark, 1460 Parkview Drive, asked the following: Who originally proposed the idea of moving all of the traffic signals from Highway 10 and what was the Council's reaction to that; has either the State or Federal government provided guidelines regarding the number of signalized intersections; are there any official or unofficial deadlines for Council's decision. Mayor Harpstead stated these questions would be addressed at the June 19 Open House at the North Heights Church. Yar Gig, 1560 Colleen Avenue, stated the noise from Highway 10 could be heard from his home even though he was quite a ways away. He requested a sound barrier be put up. Anthony Marx, 1523 Briarknoll Drive, stated they had accepted the noise when they moved into the community, but in the time they have lived in their home, they have noticed a considerable increase in the noise in the area. He requested Council proceed with a noise barrier. Catalina Don, 1537 Briarknoll Circle, stated she was concerned about the Highway 10 overpass proposal due to the increase in noise. Jody Hilgers, 1536 Briarknoll Drive, asked if Council would be addressing how they would be addressing the sound issue at the June 19 Open House. Mayor Harpstead noted the primary reason for the meeting was to discuss the impact to the residents in Arden Manor, and they had not intended on specifically speaking about noise, but they would do the best they could to get this information prior to the meeting. Jody Hilgers asked for the Council's commitment to address the noise issues when they talked to MnDOT. Mayor Harpstead stated the noise issue would be addressed. Jolene Poucher, 1548 Briarknoll Drive, noted they have lived in the City for 20 years. She stated she had sent an email to Council expressing concerns regarding noise levels as well as an impact regarding vibration in the ground that was more noticeable in the colder weather months. She noted this was not just a noise issue outside of their homes, but also inside their homes. She believed traffic speeds needed to be reduced and not allowing truck traffic. She asked if this was a possibility. She expressed concern about the 2015 improvement project. She asked the Council to address the truck traffic. She believed removing truck traffic from Highway 10 would be an improvement. She stated she was in favor of a sound wall also. George Grenander, 4173 Norma Avenue, stated his property backed up to Highway 10. He stated he was concerned about the increase in truck traffic and the noise along Highway 10. He stated he was disappointed they were shutting down access at Hamline and not trying to expand it to serve the northbound Snelling traffic. He asked the City to obtain the noise information from MnDOT and make that information available to the residents. Tim Slechta, 4305 Colleen Court, stated he was concerned about the noise as well. He stated he did not understand the need to turn Highway 10 into a high volume, high traffic road. He ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE II, 2007 3 asked if this improvement was for the future TCAAP residents. He asked the Council to do what was best of the resident ofthe City. Paul Weber, 1517 Arden Hills Court, expressed concern about the number of stop lights being proposed. Chris Vosbeek, 1553 Briarknoll Drive, stated he was concerned about the entire issue. He believed things needed to be coordinated and not just look at individual pieces. He asked Council to look at the broader picture and determine how much more development they could handle. He asked the Council to keep in mind what was best for the current residents of Arden Hills also. Pat Haick, 1550 Briarknoll Circle, stated he was strongly opposed to the redesign as it currently stood for Highway 10/96. He believed there were a lot of issues that needed further discussion. He asked Council to slow the process down. He stated the community was not ready to move forward on this. He noted there was considerable opposition and there needed to be a greater and more public debate. He noted he was in the process of putting together a petition in opposition and when he went around, he found out that a lot of the residents did not know what was going on. He recommended they have meetings where there was discussion and debate the topic and not only take the questions down. He stated he was troubled by the rush to meet a County deadline. He indicated this was important enough that they should not be doing something on someone else's timetable. He urged Council to hold off and have further meetings with the public. He believed Arden Hills was attempting to solve MnDOT's problems on the backs of the current residents. He believed the City had to take a stronger stance with MnDOT and force the issue. Councilmember Holden asked how the City could reach the citizens when this issue had been in the City Newsletter and newspapers. Mr. Haick noted they had a good turnout at the April 2 meeting, but the issue was that there was no debate. He suggested before they vote on it, they have a meeting outlining what they were prepared to go forward with to see if the residents were or were not in favor of it. Mayor Harpstead stated he appreciated the input received and noted this was a tremendously complex issue with a lot of things tied together. He noted they had to deal with multiple inputs at the same time. He stated they would weigh out the overall picture as best they could as decisions were made. Councilmember Grant stated the meeting on June 19 is to deal with the residents of Arden Manor, but all residents were invited to attend all open meetings. He noted the reason for the June 19 meeting was because in the current design some of the homes in Arden Manor would be impacted. He stated he has been for eliminating truck traffic off of Highway 10, but noted Highway 10 was a State highway and the City was not the jurisdiction that controlled it, but there were improvements being proposed and the City did have some negotiation leverage with respect to this. He stated he would like to see some type of "grooving" on Highway 10, which he ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL-JUNE 11,2007 4 believed would reduce a lot of the noise and this would be something the City could negotiate with MnDOT. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 14, 2007 City Council Meeting B. April 30, 2007 Work Session Minutes C. April 16, 2007 Work Session Minutes Councilmember McClung requested the following changes: April 16, 2007 Work Session, Page II, second paragraph, to strike the paragraph and insert: Councilmember McClung stated he would discuss with each Councilmember observations on development and redevelopment he witnessed on his vacation in Northern Virginia. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to approve the May 14, 2007 City Council Meeting Minutes as approved; the April 30, 2007 Council Work Session Minutes as approved; and the April 16, 2007 Council Work Session Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 4. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Claims and Payroll b. Resolution No. 07-62: Relating to the Fire Protection Service Contract Between the City of Arden Hills and the Lake Johanna Fire Department MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 5. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. 2006 PMP Update-Siems Court/Lake Johanna Boulevard Intersection Ms. Giga updated the Council on the Siems Court/Lake Johanna Boulevard intersection. She indicated as discussed at an earlier Council meeting, the intersection meets intersection design ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL-JUNE 11,2007 5 standards. From a design and safety perspective, staff felt no changes were necessary. If the Council wishes to move forward with a change as requested by the neighborhood, staff suggests modifying the east side of the street only, given the majority of the concerns were related to the east side. Upon further review of the west side, staff feels that any noticeable change would require the relocation of the catch basin, significantly increasing the costs of any intersection modifications. Staff is seeking direction from the Council on how to proceed with this issue. Councilmember Holden stated she was concerned there was no sidewalk and she did not want to increase the speed on a curve. Councilmember McClung asked if the intersection was inadequate now. He noted he had never had a problem turning in and out of that intersection. Ms. Giga responded that staff believes the intersection is adequate. Councilmember Graut stated he was in favor of some alternative for widening this road. He believed there was value to widening it on the west. Mayor Harpstead asked if it was possible by widening this intersection that other problems could be created. Ms. Giga responded it was possible. Councilmember Holmes asked if striping would help. Ms. Giga responded staff had suggested that, but Council had rejected the idea. Steve Erickson, 3442 Siems Court, stated he had taken some photographs of a similar intersection in Minneapolis. He noted Minneapolis had done what was being proposed in Option A. He believed the issue was that they were coming down at a very tight angle. Councilmember Holmes asked if he would be in favor of just the increase on the east side. Mr. Erickson responded he was in favor of the increasing being on both sides. Kathy Nelson, 3475 Siems Court, stated she did not believe it was fair to say that only 19 residents responded out of 62 because not all of the residents were impacted by this intersection. She noted nobody had consulted the residents about this to begin with to see what was working well. She noted this road to be much too narrow and skewed funny. She stated there was no place to put the snow and the snow was being put into the street. She asked how many accidents had been caused by the old road. She was not in favor of striping the road. She stated she was in favor of option A with a little bit of widening on the other side. She believed the widening should go further up the street also. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Mayor Harpstead seconded a motion to approve Option A. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 11,2007 6 Councilmember Holden stated when they did start this they had worked with the neighborhood and had given them choices. She stated she had spoken with residents about this and she had been informed it was not that much of a problem. She stated she wanted to see striping because she did not believe any alternative would solve the problem. Councilmember McClung agreed and did not believe either of the options would solve the problem. He noted he had never had any problems making the turn in or out. He stated he would not support this. Mayor Harpstead believed it was an appropriate adjustment and this was a rational request. Couucilmember Holmes agreed with the Mayor and Councilmember Grant. Personally, she liked the idea of the striping for safety issues. She suggested they try widening the road and if there was still a problem, to put in the striping. Councilmemher Grant stated the turn could be made the way it was and there would be times it was optimal because this was not an easy turn to make, but he believed this was rational to open this up to provide more room for traffic to go in and out. He stated this was not an overly large investment and he saw no reason to not go forward with it. Councilmember Holden agreed, but noted if this continued to be a problem, they would need to do the striping, which she believed would resolve any issues. Mayor Harpstead noted the motion as it was presented would make adjustments to both sides. The motion carried 4-1 (Councilmember McClung opposed). B. Motion to Approve Resolution 07-58: Adoptilll! Deferred Special Assessment Roll for the 2007 PMP Improvements Ms. Giga stated on May 29,2007 the Council adopted the special assessment roll for the 2007 PMP Improvement Project. The City Council moved to defer the assessment for 1465 Floral Drive. Following the opening of the assessment hearing on May 14, 2007, staff contacted the property owner informing her of the recommendation to defer the assessment per the Assessment Policy. The owner indicated that while she appreciated staffs efforts in this matter, she did not find the solution acceptable. Ms. Giga presented a letter from Ms. Hanson dated June 4, 2007 stating her concerns. As part of the adoption of the resolution, Ms. Giga stated that the City Council would need to set the length that the assessment would be deferred, as well as the interest rate, if any. The maximum period of time an assessment can be deferred is 30 years, according to Minnesota Statute Chapter 429. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE II, 2007 7 She recommended Council approve the Resolution. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve Resolution 07-58: Adopting Deferred Special Assessment Roll for the 2007 PMP Improvements. Mayor Harpstead asked what term and interest rate they should use. MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember McClung amended the motion to have the assessment be deferred for 20 years. The amended motion carried unanimously (5-0). MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to approve interest rate at eight and one-half percent (8 Yz %). Mayor Harpstead stated he believed 8 Yz% was too high. He believed they should charge the rate they received on their own revenues. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to amend the amendment to six one-half percent (6 Yz%) interest rate. The amendment to the second amended motion carried unanimously (5-0). The amended motion carried unanimously (5-0). C. Motion to Denv Planninl! Case 07-012 for a Variance at 1486 Arden Oaks Drive based on the Findinl!s of Fact in the June 11. 2007 Planninl! Case Report Mr. Lehnhoff stated the applicant is proposing to construct a new attached garage in front of the existing garage at 1486 Arden Oaks Drive. A variance would be needed because the proposed garage would encroach 20 feet into the 40 foot front yard setback. The Planning Commission reviewed the Planning case and recommended denial of the variance based on the [mdings offact in the June 11, 2007 Planning Case Report. He noted he had received a voicemail from a resident who was in favor of this proposal. He indicated that person did not leave a last name or address. He also noted he had received a letter from David and Donna Dvorak of 1463 Arden Oaks Drive in favor of the proposal. Councilmember McClung asked if there were any other homes in the neighborhood that encroached into the setback. Mr. Lehnhoff responded he was not aware of any. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 11,2007 8 Barbara Muller, applicant, stated she did not believe this was an unreasonable use of the property and it was unsafe both to her and other people in the neighborhood. She noted it was difficult to see anybody coming down the street due to the steepness ofthe driveway. She noted there was a huge blind spot. She stated in the winter, it was difficult to stop. She stated safety was her number one issue. She noted she had one of the steepest driveways in the area. She believed this made her property unique. She believed this proposal would fit into the neighborhood and they could put a green roof on top of the garage. Tom House, 1483 Arden Oaks Drive, stated he lived diagonally across the street and had witnessed the danger and frustration of this driveway. He stated he had no issues with the variance and he believed it was a good idea. He asked Council to grant the variance. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to Deny Planning Case 07-012 for a Variance at 1486 Arden Oaks Drive based on the Findings of Fact in the June II, 2007 Planning Case Report. Councilmember Holden stated the Planning Commission did a good job in looking at all of the factors. She stated she was worried about the encroachment and the impact to the neighborhood. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). D. Motion to Approve the TCAAP Project Manal!ement Al!reement with Ehlers and Associate Ms. Wolfe stated in the Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) between City of Arden Hills and RRLD, the approved budget includes $75,000 for project management services. At the time the budget was prepared and the PDA approved, staff was anticipating that the consulting firm BCS would be provided providing those services. In March, the Council directed a subcommittee study options for the TCAAP project management. The recommendation of the subcommittee is for Ehlers & Associates to provide those services. She recommended Council approve the consulting services with Ehlers & Associates per the proposal dated May 24, 2007 for project management for proposed TCAAP development, in an amount not to exceed $75,000. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the TCAAP Project Management Agreement with Ehlers and Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $75,000. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 11,2007 9 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. TCAAP Ms. Wolfe updated on the Council on recent TCAAP developments. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS A. Councilmember Holden requested an update on Mr. Wenzel's request. Ms. Wolfe responded they would get in contact with him and get an update to Council as soon as possible. B. Councilmember Grant stated he would not be available to attend the Planning and Analysis Committee meeting on the third Wednesday of June. Mayor Harpstead stated he would attend the meeting in Councilmember Grant's place. C. Councilmember Grant requested an update on Holiday Inn's change of ownership. Mr. Lehnhoff responded as far as the City knows, Holiday Inn staff had been told they would be let go in the next two months, but the City had not received any other information as to what the new owner was proposing to do with the existing property. He noted staff would pass along any further information. D. Councilmember McClung noted for the June 19 meeting he would be late due to a work commitment. He reminded Council there was a joint Council meeting with other cities and the Fire Department this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Fire Station Number 3. E. Mayor Harpstead noted the Chesapeake property and the property at the corner of County Road E and Wellington properties were moving forward with plans urned the Regular City Council meeting at 8:55 p.m. to go into a Council u ~Wc Michelle Wolfe City Administrator NOTICE OF MEETINGS The next Council Meeting will be held Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Arden Hills Council Chambers.