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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-07-WS ~ ~~HILLS Approved: January 14, 2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION DECEMBER 3,2007; 7:00 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Harpstead called to order the City Council Worksession meeting at 7:02 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Councilmembers David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and David McClung Absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Michelle Wolfe; Assistant City Administrator, Noah Simon; Attorney William McGrann (McGrann, Shea, Anderson, Carnival, Straglm & Lamb); Eric Anderson (Ryan Companies); and Recording Secretary, Dianna Wise. 2. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. Update on GSA Meeting in Washington D.C. Mayor Harpstead reported on the meeting held in Washington, D.C. to discuss credit categories. He stated the dollar amount is yet to be determined. He stated the credit categories must be determined first and indicated they talked mostly about demolition credit (where hazardous material is located), the impingement of the water treatment facility on the property, and vapor intrusion. He eXplained the methodology used to determine the hazardous removal estimated dollar amount. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - December 3, 2007 2 Mayor Harpstead stated this was a meaningful step and they continue to move forward. B. Lobbving Activities Senate Bonding Committee Visit to Arden Hills December 13.2007. Attorney William McGrann, Senior Partner with McGrann, Shea, Anderson, Carnival, Straghn & Lamb, introduced himself and stated his firm was retained by Ryan Companies to represent them to obtain funds for capital improvements from the capital bonding bill. He stated this includes transportation funding. Mr. McGraun stated they would talk to key legislators and chairmen of the various bonding committees prior to the legislative session. He explained that the bills would be heard by the Capital Investment Committee in 2008. Mr. McGrann stated the Senate Bonding Committee that is traveling throughout the state. He stated there is considerable interest in this from the State Department of Employment and Economic Development as it is looking for a site to highlight. Mr. McGrann explained it is then up to his firm to make sure the legislative hearings are held and the bill moves forward through the House and Senate. Councilmember Holden questioned how the City would go forward without a concept plan. City Administrator Wolfe replied that it would be preferable if Arden Hills had an approved concept plan prior to the visit by the Senate Bonding Committee; however, it is not required. Councilmember Grant questioned the support for this. Mr. McGrann commented that, given this is an election year, there a great deal of interest from both parties to help out their districts. Mayor Harpstead stated the City would continue to find a source for funds anywhere it could. City Administrator Wolfe commented she hopes to hear back on funds requested from the Minnesota Cooperative Agreement Program soon. Mr. McGrann stated they also look for money wherever they can find it. He stated the general philosophy is to get on board by discovering funding sources wherever possible. He commented on how they work with the Legislature on funding requests. Mayor Harpstead presented a suggested agenda to include an introduction to Arden Hills, the value of the TCAAP property, and the issues related to the remediation and development of the property. He suggested Council stress that as the purpose for the bonding bill should be the need for access to the property. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - December 3, 2007 3 Councilmember Holden suggested not emphasizing the water treatment issue. City Administrator Wolfe explained the process staff would follow during the meeting with the Senate Bonding Committee. Councilmember Grant asked staff to emphasize the job opportunities created that would have a strong economic impact on the community and the metropolitan area. Mr. Eric Anderson, Ryan Companies, suggested they anticipate questions from the Senate Bonding Committee on TIP funding to pay for this. Mayor Harpstead asked Public Works Director Hoag what he has heard from Mn/DOT. Public Works Director Hoag replied that Mn/DOT indicated they would like to help make this work. Mayor Harpstead mentioned Mn/DOT agreed to do a brainstorming on the County RoadlO/Highway 96 project. Public Works Director Hoag replied this meeting was held last week. He stated that Mn/DOT developed several concept designs with phasing options and temporary solutions. He reported that Mn/DOT would continue to work on the different concepts. He stated they are not in favor ofthe right in/right out at the Scherer Brothers location. Councilmember Holden recommended discussing the proposed athletic fields with the Senate Bonding Committee. Councilmember Holmes stressed that the City should determine what the TIP would be used for. She commented the City must consider what it would contribute to the project. Mr. Anderson maintained that Senate Bonding Committee would need to know about remediation, demolition, a new infrastructure, and how the City would contribute to the funding. He cautioned staff to be ready with a potential answer to the question of how much the City would be willing to contribute financially. Councilmember Grant commented he would like to put forth the concept that the project impacts more than just Arden Hills. City Administrator Wolfe explained that with a County Road, the City would be contributing some portion ofthe costs. Councilmember Holden requested informing the committee that Arden Hills has been forthcoming in assisting the County acquire portions of the TCAAP property. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - December 3,2007 4 City Administrator Wolfe discussed ideas for display boards/posters for the presentation to the committee. . Discussion ensued. Councilmember Grant suggested creating posterslboards showing what they would get for their money. Councilmember Holden suggested a posterlboard depicting why the roads are a bottleneck and the impact of further development north of Arden Hills. Discussion ensued on the impact on the traffic. Councilmember Holden asked if there are other projects on other roads such as 494/694 that might impact funding. Discussion ensued. Mr. McGrann questioned what the City specifically present that could hook the committee. He suggested they present that Arden Hills has never received money from LGA or a bonding bill and point out the pollution of the land in the interest of national defense. He suggested staff make a point that would set Arden Hills apart from other Cities. Councilmember Grant suggested pointing out that Arden Hills was a previous military base and that aN ational Guard component still exists in the City. Consensus reached to present more of a marketing perspective to the committee. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None 5. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a mo ion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. The motion carried (5-0). ~4- Noah A. Simon Deputy Clerk