Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-07 City Council Post-Meeting Worksession Minutes ~ ~~HILLS Approved: January 14, 2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JULY 9, 2007; 8:00 P.M. 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 7:59 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Council members David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and David McClung Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Michelle Wolfe; Finance Director Sue Iverson; Civil Engineer Kris Giga; Public Works Director Greg Hoag; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; and Community Development Director Karen Barton. 2. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. Highway 10/96 Arden Manor Neighborhood Transportation Discussion Mayor Harpstead welcomed the members of the Arden Manor Resident Association. He stated that tonight we will have an opportunity to provide input and ask questions regarding Arden Manor and the 10/96 project. He asked that all present introduce themselves. Mayor Harpstead also asked for further suggestions or options regarding this proj ect. One resident indicated he would like to see other options. He also felt that we would have had greater attendance at the April meeting, especially if we had advised that homes would be affected. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - JULY 9, 2007 2 Mr. Mark Benson of SEH (engineering consultants) then reviewed five concept plans that have previously been studied by the Council: Mr. Benson reviewed Concept 1, clarifying that the Highway 96 project is a Ramsey County project and not a City project. The residents stated a concern that the only need to widen Highway 96 is for wider medians and the impact this would have on the doublewides versus longer homes. A question was raised regarding the required set -back. City Planner Lehnhoff indicated he thought it was 40 feet from the property line. Another question was brought up as to the City's rights if they were to tell the County "No". Councilmember Holden then went on to explain the appeal process. There was also discussion regarding Round Lake and the concerns with the ground water. Several questions were raised regarding the wells (number and size) and the cost of $4-8 million to move the wells. Councilmember McClung stated he still thinks a signalized intersection should be a 6th option. A resident stated that people at MnDOT told residents that the City is pushing this project and that they prefer to have a signalized intersection. There is also concern over the number of deer hit in the area. It was felt that although lights would be a way to slow down traffic, having a signal would only allow 2-3 cars to go through at a time. It is felt that the speed limit in this area is not enforced. It was requested to look at the option of having two signals. Mr. Benson continued to review the five options. It was stated that the City will not try to move people without more information and will not move homes based only on a concept. Mr. Benson reviewed the concept of moving Highway 10 to the east and the impact this would have. He provided a plan layout. The question was raised as to if anyone had asked MPCA if we can move the wells. Concern again was mentioned that traffic will bottleneck at Trunk Highway 10. Council decided to put the letter from Chris Roy (MnDOT) on the website. The idea of doing a land swap, by moving the park onto TCAAP, was mentioned. Ouestions: ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - JULY 9, 2007 3 1. Timeline for coming up with an alternative and about hiring an intern. 2. What is the increased cost of moving Hwy 10 to the east? Greg Hoag stated this would cost between $13-17 million. 3. Is there a possibility of trying to have two signalized intersections and the need to articulate to them in writing? Mayor Harpstead had the following action items: . sense of time line . cost of moving road to the east . articulate possibility of putting in signals . clarifY information on MnDOT - get a uniform voice from them . idea ofland swap Councilmember Holden suggested we verify there are seven vacant lots and that we take a look at how to relocate people to the vacant lots. The residents noted that they have meetings scheduled with Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett and are working on scheduling meetings with Senator Satveer Chaudhary, State Representative Kate Knuth and Mn/DOT. It was requested that the City provide information in writing - a short Q&A document, and also provide copies of concepts. B. CeIebratinl! Arden Hills Councilmember Holmes left the meeting at 10:35 p.m. Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager, told the City Council that she would like direction for this City event, since the planning process takes approximately one year. The process will take longer than one year if the event is changed and/or if a volunteer committee is going to be established. She noted that the planning for the 50th auniversary celebration took a few years. Mayor Harpstead suggested that they review Ms. Olson's list of questions contained in the staff memo. There was discussion about fund raising. Councilmember McClung stated that he was underwhelmed with the amount of financial contributions from the business community in the past. Mayor Harpstead asked if Council would like to see an event planned for 2008. Councilmember McClung responded that he was worried about being able to pull something together but if that was possible, he would like some kind of smaller event. Councilmember Grant stated that he thought the city should have an event, but maybe not every year. He suggested that perhaps the scope could be expanded if the event was held less often. Councilmember Holden said that she would like to see an event take place in 2008. Mayor Harpstead agreed. He suggested a series of Saturday events in the fall, similar to art fairs, with opportunities for each to have a sponsor. The events could be held in City parks and could elevate the arts in Arden Hills. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - JULY 9, 2007 4 There was discussion about the target audience for a City festival. Councilmember McClung said he didn't know who he thought the target audience should be, but he does not feel Arden Hills can do an event like the Slice of Shoreview. Councilmember Grant said that he thinks there can be different audiences, older and younger. He wondered whether we could approach Shoreview to include Arden Hills with their event. In regards to the Mayor's suggestion, he had concerns but wasn't sure the City would have much to lose in trying. Councilmember Holden would like to target all ages with a one-day event, in the fall, including fireworks. Councilmember McClung agreed that fireworks should be part of an event. The Council discussed whether the event should be held every year. Councilmember Grant stated he was unsure. Councilmember Holden suggested every other year. The Council was asked whether or not funds for an event should be budgeted in 2008. Councilmember Holden suggested there should be a one-day event in the fall, with a few activities late in the day, then fireworks. She suggested putting a small amount in the 2008 budget for a committee to plan something for 2009. Mayor Harpstead stated a desire to generate a group of interested residents to work on a committee. There was additional discussion with ideas for a future festival. Two options were discussed: Try to do something in 2008 or work towards an event in 2009. Council members Holden, Grant, and McClung supported working towards something in 2009. Councilmember Grant stated that he doesn't feel comfortable that there be an event every year. The Council discussed the need to have a committee in 2008 and some funds for deposits and plauning. In terms of timing, it was acknowledged that they should try to start a committee now. Council asked Ms. Olson to send an e-mail to Council, requesting them to solicit possible committee members and submit names. C. Council Comments aud ReQuests Council discussed that there would be a meeting with the Briarknoll residents on Monday, July 23 from 6:30-8:30. They requested that engineers from SEH be present at the meeting. The Council suggested that a notice be sent to all residents west of Hamline and north of 694, and that a press release be prepared. Motion by Councilmember Gr p.m. Motion approved 4-0. ~ Stanley arpstead Mayor nd by Mayor Harpstead to adjourn the meeting at 11:23 '/tbA- "'-, N6ah A. Simon Deputy Clerk l\Metro-inet.uslardenhillsIAdminICounci/IMinutesIWorksessionI2007107-09-07 Post Meeting 10-96 & Celebrating AH. doc