HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-07-WS
Approved: September 10,2007
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
AUGUST 20, 2007; 5:00 PM
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City
Council Work Session meeting at 5:07 p.m.
Present:
Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councihnembers David Grant, Brenda Holden,
Fran Holmes, and David McClung
Absent:
None
Also present: City Administrator Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director Sue Iverson; Public
Works Director Greg Hoag; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; Civil
Engineer Kris Giga; City Building Official Dave Scherbel, and Brian Pashina (Wiss,
Janney, Eisner & Associates), Mark Benson (Short Elliott Hendrickson); Mark
Lindeburg, Marc Goess, and Chris Roy (Mn/DOT); Jim Tolaas (Ramsey County); Jamie
Sloboden (Short Elliott Hendrickson); and Recording Secretary Dianna Wise.
2. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councihnember Holden seconded a
motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried
unanimously (5-0).
3. AGENDA ITEMS
A. City Hall Repair Update
Building Official Scherbel reported the approximate cost for City Hall repaIrs IS
$535,043.46.
Mayor Harpstead reported a settlement $500,000 was received. He stated money already
spent on repairs would not be fully recaptured.
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Building Official Scherbel reported the City needs to determine which options to pursue
in terms of the additional needed repairs.
Mr. Brian Pashina directed staff to the "Table of Exterior Repairs" and sunnnarized the
conditions and potential effects if no repair is performed on the building. He also
estimated the cost for each repair. Mr. Pashina presented four city hall repair options:
1. Replace through-wall flashing at both levels at base of wall and install sheet metal
cap at concrete masonry foundation ledge (along south and east foundation walls.)
2. Replace through-wall flashing above windows on south side of building.
3. Clean and paint relieving angles, and replace through-wall flashing.
4. I-Increase maintenance through routine inspection of coping stones and joints,
replacement of failed sealant, and resetting coping stones as required which
become damaged by movement.
2-Remove and replace existing coping stones with proper overhang with drip and
through-wall flashing.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Harpstead stated Council's task is to determine which options to pursue in terms
of the additional repairs.
Mr. Pashina presented his opinion on the priority for each condition and repairs needed.
He stated the most opportune time to make the repairs would be in the spring, with the
least opportune time being in the fall.
Discussion ensued.
Council reached consensus to direct staff to solicit bids for the repair of conditions three
and four. Council reached consensus to defer the repairs of conditions one and two.
B. County Road H Update
Public Works Director Hoag reported the County Road H project is in the preliminary
design phase and progressing as planned. He stated staff attends monthly Project
Management Team meetings to review and work on outstanding issues. He stated the
most recent issues identified are wetland issues related to the proj ect.
Public Works Director Hoag stated the Mn/DOT cooperative agreement submittals for
funding for the 2009 fiscal year are due September 14, 2007. He stated if the City
receives funding, the $550,000 could be used as part of the matching funds for the
Federal funds being pursued.
He stated the deadline for the Mn/DOT funding is approaching.
Mr. Mark Benson, Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), displayed the design plan and
walked Council and staff through the project design.
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Discussion ensued.
Mayor Harpstead stated Council's direction is to decide whether to pursue funding
options for the project and the cooperative agreement.
Council reached consensus to direct SEH to proceed with the preparation of submittal for
the Mn/DOT Cooperative Agreement.
C. Discnssion Regarding Highway 10 & County Road 96
Public Works Director Hoag reported on a City Council Work Session on August 13,
2007 regarding the Highway 10 and County Road 96 project. He stated that five of the six
questions were discussed at this meeting. He specified that staff would like to begin
discussion on question number six: 'What elements of noise remediation should Council
direct the preliminary design engineers to consider in their studies?'
Discussion continued on questions four and five.
City Administrator Wolfe updated Council on the timeline for a decision because of
upcoming legislative tours in September/October and also a possible special legislative
sessIOn.
Discussion ensued on noise remediation elements.
Councihnembers Hohnes and Holden stated they would like to know if the City could
acquire Scherer Brothers, what the impact is of removing the frontage road, and the cost
of acquiring mobile home park property and relocation of homes.
Mayor Harpstead stated he would like to know the impact of removing the frontage road,
with access to Highways 10 and 96 being through TCAAP.
City Administrator Wolfe provided information, prepared by Community Development
Director Barton, on the fair market value and additional funding to displaced residents.
Council reached consensus to direct staff to add a relocation specialist on the next City
Council meeting agenda.
Council reached consensus to direct staff to compile additional information regarding the
acquisition of land (including costs), relocation benefits, and the traffic impacts of
removing the frontage road.
D. 2008 Budget/CIP Update
1) City Council Compensation
City Administrator Wolfe reported staff hoped to have a proposed 2008 budget; however,
system problems, staffing shortfalls, and other issues have prevented this. She stated staff
would use the best information available for levy purposes. She provided a proposed
schedule for working towards the preliminary levy. She listed the assumptions under
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - August 20, 2007
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which staff is currently working. She indicated that staff is considering a request to add a
full-time employee, possibly a Deputy City Clerk position, as part of the proposed 2008
budget.
Discussion ensued on the 2008 budget.
Councilmember Holmes requested Councilmembers be issued blackberries.
Discussion ensued on Council compensation.
Council reached consensus to direct staff to set Council compensation at $5,700 and
$6,100 for 2009.
2) PMP Philosophy
City Administrator Wolfe, Public Works Director Hoag, and Civil Engineer Giga
provided information on the PMP philosophy.
Discussion ensued.
Council reached consensus to direct staff to draft a PMP philosophy for Council review,
with a goal of reaching a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) average rating of 75 after 15
years.
3) CIP
Council and staff discussed the individual items on the Capital Improvement Program
five-year sunnnary. For 2008, Council agreed that staff should proceed as presented for
budget preparation, with the following changes:
1. Postpone the Glen Arden reconstruction proj ect.
2. Proceed with plans for the Ridgewood/Asbury project, in conjunction with the
City of Roseville.
3. Remove the fence from the proposed water tower repairs.
4. Move the Frisbee golfproject to future unassigned projects.
5. Discuss purchase of the 800 MHz radios and consider whether to split the
purchase into two years.
6. Review the cost for office furnishings.
4. Council Comments and Requests
Mayor Harpstead commented that the EDC passed a motion for a moratorium on the B2
District. Council stated it would like this issue brought forward at a future City Council
meeting.
Mayor Harpstead reported City Administrator Wolfe's performance review is due by
September 2007.
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Mayor Harpstead asked Finance Director Iverson if the City had any mortgage-backed
bonds.
Finance Director Iverson replied there is no financial risk.
Councilmember Grant questioned Council and staff on specific projects including
painting, seal coating, a Walgreens response, affordable housing units in Arden Hills, the
financial capacity of TCAAP for the Council meeting, and a policy concerning food
orders for meetings beginning at 6:00 p.m. or earlier.
Mayor Harpstead encouraged Councihnembers to forward copies of all emails regarding
Walgreens to Michelle Wolfe; however, each Councihnember will be responsible for
replying to the mail.
Counci1member Holden commented on reports of an oil run along Chatham.
Public Works Director Hoag replied it was possibly an overspray into the gutter. He
stated he would review this once it is swept.
City Administrator distributed information regarding a relief deputy.
Councilmember McClung reported that two emails from the Fire Department with the
approved capital improvement budget and a funding formula for 2008 would be sent.
5. Adjournment
MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councihnember Holden seconded a
tion to adjourn the meeting at 10:33 p.m. The motion carried
unanimously (5-0).