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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-08-R Approved: March 31, 2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 10,2008; 7:00 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDERlROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:03 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Hohnes, and David McClung. Absent: None. Also present: Interim City Administrator Jim Willis; Assistant City Administrator Noah Simon; Public Works Director Gregory Hoag; Finance Director Susan Iverson; Civil Engineer Kristine Giga; Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson; City Planner James Lehnhoff; Dave Looby from Minneapolis North Convention and Visitors Bureau; Vik Bhartia from Super 8 Motel; and Recording Secretary Tina Borg. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Conncilmember Grant requested item 4E be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. Councilmember Holmes requested item 4C be pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Harpstead seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Mayor Harpstead stated that under new business there would be an opportunity to discuss, not necessarily approve, but to discuss, the draft documents for the preliminary design positions on Interstate 694, Highway 10, and County Road 96 projects. If the discussion leads to a motion or ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 2 resolution then that is appropriate. But it is not required. The City also has an amendment to the preliminary development agreement with the developer on the TCAAP property, and finally some discussion about Visit Minneapolis North and the possibility of policy and procedure in terms of voting when only three Councilmembers are present as that constitutes a quorum to make sure that major issues do not come before Council in times like that. Ms. Khristy Effinger, 1969 Banyan Street, Secretary, Arden Manor Residents Association, presented copies and read an e-mail that had been sent to the City Councilmembers written by Mr. David Bolt, residing at 1555 Briarknoll Circle, because Mr. Bolt was not able to attend the meeting. This e-mail was sent on February 18, 2008. The e-mail was regarding information that Mr. Bolt had obtained from conversations with Mn/DOT regarding Highway 10 and the TCAAP access. Ms. Effinger also stated that she and several members of Arden Manor had met with Senator Satveer Chaudhary and Representative Kate Knuth on February 27,2008. During that time Senator Chaudhary and Representative Knuth agreed to participate in a meeting with the citizens from Arden Hills, the City Council, representatives from Arden Manor and Briarknoll, and representatives from MnlDOT to see if an agreement could be reached. Ms. Effinger also talked to Senator Chaudhary and Representative Knuth about the possibility of forming a Concerned Citizen Committee to work with the City Council and staff during this process and that a meeting between such a committee and the City Council would be very helpful in finding a solution. Ms. Cheryl Fish, 2059 Todd Drive, stated that she would like clarification about how City Council, City Staff, Mn/DOT, and Ehlers & Associates fit together in the process. Mayor Harpstead stated that this would be discussed later in the meeting. Ms. Chris Lustig, 1901 Todd Drive, stated that she would like clarification about the proposed draft, more specifically the Ramsey County Project, Design Constraint #2 and Design Constraint #3. Mr. Charles Mertensotto, 3473 Lake Johanna Blvd., stated that he was also at the meeting with Ms. Effinger, Senator Chaudhary, and Representative Knuth. Mr. Mertensotto also stated concerns about the City working with MnlDOT to put in warning lights at the intersection of Highway 10 and County Road 96 in order to make it safer and the City looking at options for putting in a signalized entrance for TCAAP. Mr. Russ Adams, Director, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, asked the City to carefully consider the proposal and to not vote on it tonight but rather have the City staff meet with residents to discuss the full ramifications of the proposal. The residents have not had enough time to look over the proposal and would like to look at it further before there is a vote. Mr. Patrick Haik, 1550 Briarknoll Circle, stated concerns about the accuracy of the minutes from previous worksessions and meetings regarding Highway 10 and County Road 96. He did not feel that these documents accurately stated what was decided or discussed at these meetings. Mayor Harpstead closed the public inquiries and informational section at 7:40 p.m. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 3 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Februarv 19, 2008 City Council Worksession Councilmember McClung requested the following change: Page 2, ninth full paragraph from the top, would like to have the first sentence read: Councihnember McClung asked if additional parking stalls could be gained by removing the median in the parking lot. Councilmember Holmes requested the following changes: Page 7, the third paragraph from the bottom, strike the words "her preference" in the first sentence and add "one option." Councilmember Holmes requested the following changes: Page 7, the last paragraph, the last sentence should read: He stated he felt the option of office condos and a coffee shop or bookstore would be satisfactory. Councilmember Holmes requested the following changes: Page 11, the second and third sentences should read: She stated that Mr. Harper informed them that congressional authorizations are done every five years and projects may be authorized in stages. Mr. Harper reported that Representative McCollum's office will request money for the engineering design ($2 to $3 million), and then the time frame for funding the project itself is uncertain. She would like the remainder of the paragraph stricken. B. Februarv 25, 2008 Rel!:ular City Council Meetinl!: Councilmember McClung requested the following change: Page 8, the fifth full paragraph from the top should read: Councihnember McClung noted a Councilmember's vote by phone will count, but will not count towards a quorum. Councilmember Holmes requested the following changes: Page 9, the first paragraph should read: Councilmember Hohnes stated regarding the 10 and 96 concept plan that based on conversations at the previous worksession and Council meetings, it was her understanding that the Council had to approve a concept plan be the end of February. MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the February 19, 2008 City Council Worksession Minutes and the February 25, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll B. Motion to Award the Bid for the Cummings Park Hard Court Reconstruct Project, Including the Resurface of the Hazelnut Park and Ridgewood Neighborhood Courts to Buck Blacktop, Inc., in an Amount Not To Exceed $66,193.00 for Basic Services and the Addition of Alternate Four. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 4 C. Motion to Adopt Or-dinllllce 2008 002 in Plmming Case 08 001 t ,\dopt Chaptcr 12 of the l\rden Hills City Code and its Sections and Subdivisions as f.mended and Repealed to Read as Presented in the March 11, 2008, Pllllffiing Case Report. D. Motion to ,\pproye Pllblishing a Summary ofOffiinanee 2008002 for Sign Code Roglllations as Permitted by Minnesota State Statllte 412.191 Subdivision 1. E. Motion to f,pproye the Job Description f-or Depllty Clerk and to ,\athorize Staff to ,\dvertise the Position. F. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2008-018: Resolution Appointing Noah Simon as the City's Alternate Cable Commission Representative. G. Motion to Approve the 2008 Seasonal and Parks and Recreation Part-Time Pay Scale. 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 4C. Motion to Adopt Ordinance 2008-002 in Planninl!: Case 08-004 to Adopt Chapter 12 of the Arden Hills Citv Code and its Sections and Subdivisions as Amended and Repealed to Read as Presented in the March 11,2008, Planninl!: Case Report 4D. Motion to Approve Publishinl!: a Summarv of Ordinance 2008-002 for Sil!:n Code Rel!:ulations as Permitted bv Minnesota State Statute 412.191 Subdivision 4. Mayor Harpstead clarified that item 4D dealt with the publication and item 4C is the approval so the two items were being discussed together. Councilmember Hohnes asked for clarification regarding page 12-19 subdivision 6 in regard to portable signs, portable A-frame, T-frame, sandwich, or similar signs. She would like to know if she is correct in understanding that these signs were exempt so that there could be two per building with no time limit and no permit requirements. City Planner Lehnhoff stated that she was correct. There is no permit required and as he recalled from the worksession there was no time limit put on that but there was on the size and the number. Mayor Harpstead stated that they also had to be close to the door. City Planner Lehnhoff agreed with this statement. Councilmember Holden stated that she thought there had been a time limit of noon to 2:00 p.m., not necessarily the length of time the signs were out but the time of day these signs could be out. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 5 City Planner Lehnhoff stated this type oflimitation could be added. Councilmember Holmes stated that she thought the limits were not limited to the hours of the day but rather the number of days the signs could be out. Mayor Harpstead read the following from the February 19, 2008 City Council Worksession Minutes: It was the consensus of the City Council to permit A-frame (sandwich) signs in front of businesses without the necessity of obtaining a permit. It was also the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare appropriate language addressing size and length of time permitted. City Planner Lehnhoff asked for a preference regarding a length of time, certain times of day, or number of days. At this time, staff does not have a recommendation because this type of restriction. Mr. Lehnhoff also stated that this language could be added. Mayor Harpstead suggested that the length oftime could be during the active business day. Councilmember Holden agreed with this. Councilmember McClung agreed with the hours of operation ofthe business. Councilmember Holmes asked what the plan was for communicating these changes to the local businesses. City Planner Lehnhoff stated that there were three parts to the Communication Plan. Part one is the most general and that would be to place the information on the City's website. Part two is a letter that staff will prepare drawing out the details that businesses will be most interested in and mailing to businesses. This should be the most effective especially for the temporary signs. Part three would be a reference within the City newsletter to direct people to either the web site or to contact staff with questions. Councilmember Holmes asked if the City had the mailing addresses for all the businesses through licenses. City Planner Lehnhoff stated that there were two resources for obtaining addresses for the businesses. These are through business licenses and a business database. Mayor Harpstead stated that under staff recommendations item one; the date should read March 10,2008 instead of March 11,2008. Councilmember Holden asked if the size of the monument signs were being addressed in the documents. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10,2008 6 MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adopt the Ordinance 2008-002 in Planning Case 08-004 to Adopt Chapter 12 of the Arden Hills City Code and its Sections and Subdivisions as Amended and Repealed to Read as Presented in the March 10,2008, Planning Case Report with one additional amendment in Section 1230.01 Subdivision 6, the fust sentence to read: Portable Signs, Portable A-frame, T-frame, sandwich, or other similar signs that do not exceed six (6) square feet in size, are not illuminated, and are located within fifteen (15) feet of the primary entrance to a building during hours of business operation. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a Motion to Approve Publishing a Summary of Ordinance 2008-002 for Sign Code Regulations as Permitted by Minnesota State Statute 412.191 Subdivision 4. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 4E. Motion to Approve the Job Description for Deputv Clerk and to Authorize Staff to Advertise the Position. Assistant City Administrator Simon introduced the subject as the job description for the Deputy Clerk that was approved with the adoption of the fiscal year budget for 2008. With the approval of the City Council the position is ready to be advertised and staff is expecting to have the position filled by late May. Councilmember Grant stated that it was his contention that the City not fill this position until after the City Administrator position was filled. The City Administrator would then have a chance to review the operations of the City and determine what the needs are. The new City Administrator may decide that there are other needs of the City where the expenditure of funds could be better utilized. Mayor Harpstead stated that he would like to move forward with the posting of this position because it is important for the City to have control of documentation and the responsibilities from a statutory standpoint the addition of resources in this area are important to the City of Arden Hills. It is possible that there may be potential candidates in the pipeline at the time a new City Administrator is on board and they can weigh in on the situation. Councilmember Holdeu stated that she agrees with Councihnember Grant. She stated that she thought that the City Council would look at the organizational structure as a whole with the new City Administrator. Mayor Harpstead noted that there had not been a worksession yet to talk about the reorganization of the City. He also stated that the Council had agreed to wait for the new City Administrator before filling critical positions such as the vacant Community Director position. Councilmember McClung agreed with Mayor Harpstead in that down the road this would be a an important position but at previous meetings had stated he did not want to move forward with ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 7 the Deputy Clerk position until after the City Administrator position had been filled. He stated that he is supportive of this type of position but not supportive of advertising the position at this time. Councilmember Holmes stated that the staff seems to be overloaded with all the responsibilities and demands and the City is becoming more focused on recording and communications. She stated that her preference would be to hire the position. MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to table item 5E, Motion to Approve the Job Description for Deputy Clerk and to Authorize Staff to Advertise the Position, until the City Administrator is on board and comes back to the Council with a recommendation to fill this position. The motion passed (3-2, Mayor Harpstead and Councilmember Hohnes.) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Approval of Resolution No. 2008-020, Approvinl!: Preliminarv Desil!:n Positions For Interstate 694, Hil!:hwav 10 and County Road 96 Proiects. Interim City Administrator Willis introduced this item for Stacie Kvilvang; this item is a follow up to the February 13, 2008 worksession regarding the various concept plans. The staff looked at the comments made on February 13, 2008 and then developed the concept plan and position paper that was being presented. This is designed to be a communication tool to articulate the Council's issues they would like to have reviewed and addressed as this process moves forward. The comments made by the Council were put into categories of three projects. There are three separate agencies specifically going to be involved in the various tasks that will ultimately arrive at decisions and conclusions as these projects move forward. The first is the MnlDOT-Interchange project, the Interstate 694 Study from 35E to 35W.MnlDot indicated that they are willing to extend the study area up Highway 10 Second is Ramsey County-Grade separation of Highway 10 and County Road 96. The third is to preserve full access for residents between Highway 10 and County Road 96 through development of an interchange that includes access to TCAAP from Highway 10. The only issue not addressed that was raised by the Council was support for a signalized intersection at Highway 10 into TCAAP. As was noted in the report, Staff did not move this forward as a preliminary design consideration since MnlDOT has repeatedly stated they will not support this type of access. Interim City Administrator Willis stated that they are asking the Council to review the draft position documents that have been submitted and see if they meet the expectations of the Council from the meeting on February 13, 2008. If it does or at such time that it does, then staff would ask the Council to adopt it. There is a draft resolution document prepared by Mr. Bubul and it adopts by reference the Draft Interstate 694, Highway 10, and County Road 96 preliminary ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 8 design issues and position. The issue tonight would be to determine if the draft resolution paper clearly and reasonably captures the Council's desires as this project moves forward. Mayor Harpstead asked the Council to comment on the position paper as it stands individually as a Councilmember. Councilmember Grant asked the Council how they would like to handle this particular item. He stated that they could go Councihnember by Councihnember or go item by item down the page. It was the consensus of the Council to go item by item down the page of the draft position document. Councilmember Grant asked for clarification from Interim City Administrator Willis regarding the author or authors of the draft position document. Interim City Administrator Willis stated that Mr. Bubul put together the resolution; the position paper document was originally drafted by Stacie Kvilvang and reviewed by the staff. Councilmember McClung stated that it may be time to hire a Traffic Engineering group to assist the City as they move forward. He then stated that it is a good idea that the City has some type of task force to assist them with the process as they move forward and he would be supportive of creating this type of group. Councilmember McClung stated that the Council may need to refer back to the minutes from the February 13, 2008 meeting because it talks about what the Council can support, where there was consensus, and where there was not a consensus. He stated that the areas where there was a consensus were not fully covered in the resolution paper. One of these areas is an at grade signalized intersection along the 10 diagonal into TCAAP, which because it would be at a ninety degree angle, would be much safer. This should not be thrown out because MnlDOT has said no. It may turn out that MnlDOT does decide to accept it because the City wants it. Another area of concern is in regard to the noise mitigation in terms of the flyover, this area is not strong enough in the position paper. Councilmember Holden stated she would like the resolution document kept strictly to Highway 10 and County Road 96 and exclude the Interstate 694-35E to 35W Project. The resolution paper does not contain a lot of the comments that it should pertaining to this particular project since there will be a public hearing on it in the future. Councilmember McClung agreed with Councilmember Holden that the impact of additional sound and additional speed is because of a flyover at Highway 10 and County Road 96. A lot of the issues with the noise and speed on Highway 10 come from taking out the signalized at grade intersection at Highway 10 and County Road 96. The issue of noise should be tied to that intersection. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 9 Mayor Harpstead stated his concern with this type of methodology was that it did not tie the components directly together. By laying these items out separately, they may only get one or two of the items approved and all the items are really linked together. He also stated that he did not like the assumptions that were sometimes made regarding the grade separation impact on either the width of the road and/or the crossing for pedestrians. He would be willing to consider a trail on one side of County Road 96 not necessarily both and does favor a solution that would be beneficial to the City in the future, not something that is necessarily driven by the desires of the City today. Councilmember Grant stated that MnlDOT should have a responsibility strictly from the Interstate 694-35E to 35W project to do noise mitigation and favors pulling that out of the document and making it a separate item. He also stated that when moving to project #2 they need to be careful not to lose some of the concepts from project #1, more specifically the concept of noise mitigation. He stated that he does agree that the concept of noise abatement was not stated strongly enough in the document, the concept of a signalized intersection as part of a phasing is not addressed at all, and there were four members of the Council who wanted that included. Councilmember Grant would like to have the first line of the document to read: The City reviewed three projects that have potential impact on residents. Councilmember Holden stated that she did not agree with Councihnember Grant's statement because the City had not reviewed the Interstate 694, 35E to 35W project. Mayor Harpstead suggested that rather than going through the specific language of the document at this time they should capture the thought that these are not necessarily the City's projects and that the Council has not reviewed them all because some of them are still in phases. Councilman Grant stated that two members of the Council, Councihnember Holden and Councilmember Grant, had reviewed the Interstate 694, 35E to 35W project. Councilmember Holden stated that one of the main reasons for the Alpha Bridge was to also maintain access from Arden Manor and item #3 talks generally about the TCAAP property but does not talk about existing parcels that the City has and she would like to see this integrated into item #3. Mayor Harpstead stated that he would like to see item #3 include the Scherer Brothers business. Councilmember McClung stated that he would like to see item #3 include access into the northern half of Arden Hills that is north of 694 should the City have a flyover at Highway 10 and County Road 96 that takes away local access. Mayor Harpstead stated that this was already included with the preservation of full access between Highway 10 and County Road 96. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 10 Councilmember Holden stated that she would address the southern border of County Road 96 later in the meeting and answer the questions brought up during the public inquiries. Councilmember Grant stated he would like to see the third sentence under MnlDOT Project, City Perspective, to read: The City requests MnlDOT to review and implement measures to reduce noise via noise walls, landscaping, and/or paving materials. Councilmember Holden stated that she would like MnlDOT to do this but if they did a mitigation study and the study doesn't meet the standards, then the cost may be responsibility of the City. The Council may want the report and to review all the information prior to making this type of change. Councilmember Grant stated that this should be the responsibility of MnlDOT, not the City, and he would like to see the final sentence in this section stricken entirely. Councilmember McClung agreed with striking the final sentence under City Perspective. Mayor Harpstead stated that a second draft could be drawn up that considers eliminating the last sentence or possibly suggests an obligation by MnlDOT for the noise mitigation. Mayor Harpstead pointed out that there are restrictions on what the State funds can be used for with noise mitigation. Councilmember Grant stated concerns with MnlDOT and a noise abatement study. They may come in and do a study then make a change and not do additional studies after the change has occurred. He suggested the City should request the standards or guidelines that MnlDOT uses so that the City is aware of what they are dealing with. Councilmember Holden asked Kristine Giga what the standards may be for sound mitigation. Civil Engineer Giga stated that she did not know at this time. Mayor Harpstead asked that Staff get the specific noise standard requirements. Councilmember McClung stated that because things tend to get complicated quickly, he would suggest that the City needs technical expertise to assist them. It was the consensus of the City Council, in regard to MnlDOT Project, Interstate 694-35E to 35W, that they would like to tighten the obligation portion of noise mitigation in the City Perspective section. Councilmember Holden stated that in addition she would like to say that when the project does come forward there would be other comments and that the issue with noise mitigation is not the only issue the City has. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 11 Mayor Harpstead noted that the 694 review is an ongoing process and that this is not the whole element of that review. Councilmember Grant stated that the concept of noise mitigation was not followed through on item #2, Grade Separation of Highway 10 and County Road 96. If Highway 10 is turned into a freeway, there will be an increase in traffic along with a substantial increase in truck traffic contributing to additional noise. Mayor Harpstead stated that an additional design constraint was dealing with noise mitigation with the City's perspective being along the lines that the grade separation would lead to increased volume and/or noise contribution from the traffic on Highway 10 and that needs to be minimized or mitigated. Councilmember Grant pointed out that while areas such as Snelling, McClung Drive, and the bottom side of Briarknoll are beyond the change of the off ramps with the 694 project, they would certainly be impacted with a grade separation at Highway 10 and County Road 96. Councilmember Holmes stated that this should be the responsibility of both the City and the County in that they should both be involved in the noise mitigation funding. Councilmember Grant stated that he would like to add MnlDOT to that statement. Councilmember Holmes corrected her previous statement and agreed that it should be both the State and the County. Councilmember McClung stated that from the February 13, 2008 meeting, the Council had agreed that if sound mitigation was included, then a majority of the Council would support grade separation at County Road 96 and Highway 10. Without any sound mitigation to deal with the noise, there is no longer a consensus of the Council to support a grade separated crossing. He also stated that this was an example of something that the Council had agreed on and it was not in the document. Councilmember Holmes stated that the matrix that had been worked on shows that the Council would support a grade separation if sound mitigation were dealt with meaningfully. Councilmember Holmes requested clarification on design constraint # 1 and felt that it should be stricken from the document. Councilmember Holden explained the need for design constraint #1 to assist in accommodating 19,000 plus commuters once the flyover was completed. Councilmember Grant stated that he would not agree with striking design constraint #1 because the turn lane would be small and it would benefit the residents of Briarknoll, McClung, and Snelling, ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 12 Councilmember Holmes questioned why there would not be one west on County Road 96 to turn right onto Highway 10 or any additional places. Councilmember Grant gave examples of traffic movement to better explain the need for this turn lane to reduce the need of residents to go to far out of their way. Councilmember Holden stated that this turn lane would eliminate the need for an additional ramp to get onto Highway 10. Mayor Harpstead clarified that they do try to space apart any ramps that exit in to traffic that is going onto a different ramp. So the one that is included in this plan is the only one that would work. He also stated that this would not be his first choice for design constraint and did not feel it was the highest priority. Councilmember McClung stated he felt the design would result in a lot of elevation changes, reminiscent of a rollercoaster. Councilmember Holden stated that some of this may be addressed when the 694-35E to 35W proj ect is done. Mayor Harpstead stated that there was a need for additional engineering and design. Councilmember Grant stated under Design Constraint #2, City Perspective, the first sentence, remove the word "possible". Mayor Harpstead asked Councihnember Grant to explain having the trail on both sides of the roadway because he would like to have a choice in this. Councilmember Grant stated that there needed to be a trail on at least one side and the addition of trails does not add to the noise. The only question would be if the width of the trails takes away homes. And if it doesn't, then there could be trails on both sides. If it does take away homes, then the Council will need to decide which side they want the trail. He stated that he would like to see a trail on both sides to Highway 10 to alleviate people having to cross County Road 96 in order to get onto the trail. If there can be a trail on only one side, the north side would be the better choice because of the number of people on the north side. Mayor Harpstead stated under Design Constraint #2, City Perspective, the last part of the first sentence, should read: trail widths and location of trails on one or both sides of the roadways are ways to assist in meeting this goal. Councilmember Holden stated that the City Perspective should not be just the median and trail widths, but also the shoulder. Mayor Harpstead stated that the shoulder was included under Design Constraint #2 but could also be included under the City Perspective. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 13 Councilmember Grant stated that it is not clear in the document that the City was willing to sacrifice the width of mediums and shoulders in order to have a trail on both sides. He also stated that the design constraints needed to be prioritized. Mayor Harpstead stated that he did not have enough information at this time to prioritize these constraints. Councilmember Holden stated that she would not want to prioritize at this time. Councilmember Grant stated that ifhe were to prioritize he would be willing to sacrifice width in the median and shoulder in order to have a trail on both sides. Councilmember Holden agreed with Councilmember Grant. She pointed out that a trail on the south side does make County Road 96 hug as far south as it can. Mayor Harpstead stated that especially in the area where it approaches Round Lake Road they do not want it to be in alignment with the bridge but the City wants it as close to Round Lake as possible, which should be added to Design Constraint #3. It was the consensus of the Council that County Road 96 should be as close to Round Lake as possible rather than to the future alignment with the Highway 35W bridge expansion, and that this be added to Design Constraint #3. Councilmember Grant stated that Design Constraint #4 referred to a pedestrian crossing, either over or under, located east of North Heights Lutheran Church but it could also be taken to refer to an over or under, a grade separated intersection, at Highway 10 and County Road 96. Mayor Harpstead stated he would like to have the sentence under Design Constraint #4 to read: Provide pedestrian crossing over or under County Road 96 to the east of the access at North Heights Lutheran Church. Councilmember Grant stated he would like to add that ifthere is a grade separated intersection, the bridges should allow for pedestrian traffic. Councilmember McClung clarified Councihnember Grant's comments stating that if a design comes back having County Road 96 going over Highway 10, there should be a pedestrian option as part of that. Mayor Harpstead restated that the sentence under Design Constraint #4 needs to capture the access to the east of North Heights Lutheran Church or to any bridges built to allow for pedestrian crossing. Councilmember Holden agreed with allowing for pedestrian crossing on any bridges that may be built. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 14 It was the consensus of the City Council to add two additional Design Constraints to the Ramsey County Project, Section II, Grade Separation of Highway 10 and County Road 96. The first one is building into the process the noise mitigation driven by the grade separation. The second design constraint is the addition to capture the pedestrian crossing on the side that any bridges are being built. Mayor Harpstead stated that the document will need to come back to the Council and they would review it again at the worksession on March 17,2008. Councilmember Grant stated that under City Project, the first three bullet points talk about phasing but phasing is not talked about again in the document except a slight mention in Design Constraint #3. He also stated it needs to be noted that all the phasing needed to be cost effective and this may be another design constraint. Councilmember McClung stated that the signalized intersection needed to be added as well. Councilmember Holmes agreed that the signalized intersection needed to be a separate design constraint. Councilmember McClung stated that it should be noted that the City's preference would be to have a signalized at grade entrance into TCAAP along the Highway 10 diagonal. Councilmember Holmes disagreed with it being the preference. Councilmember McClung stated that it should be strongly considered. Mayor Harpstead asked for clarification if this was considered an end point or phasing. Councilmember Holmes stated that it could be considered both ways. Councilmember McClung stated that this would need to be a higher priority and something that the City would have to push for. Councilmember Holden stated that Design Constraint #1 reviews the phasing options to see if all four ramps are needed, and Councilmember Grant had brought up that if there was half a diamond with the interchanges on the east then there would not be a need for legs on the east so it wouldn't be a full interchange. She stated that she thought the Council had agreed that it could work with just the exit and entrance ramps on the east side. Mayor Harpstead stated that this was complicated by the traffic pattern of commuters that are west bound on County Road 96/North bound on Highway 10 and the opposite in the evenings. The second element has been the semi truck traffic from Scherer Brothers. Mayor Harpstead would like Design Constraint #4 to include wording about phasing. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 15 It was the consensus of the Council to add Design Constraint #4 to address the at grade signalized intersection at the Highway 10 diagonal with access to TCAAP including wording about phasing. Councilmember Grant stated that a financial plan needs to go along with this. Councilmember Holden stated that Mn/DOT was not planning to reuse part of the Highway 10 lanes that are there and the City had requested that they look at repaving these. However, this was not captured in the document. She stated that it could be included under Design Constraint #1 Mayor Harpstead stated that it would fit under Design Constraint #3, which deals with realignment. MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to table Resolution No. 2008-020, Approving Preliminary Interstate 694, Highway 10 and County Road 96 project until the City Council Worksession on March 17, 2008. Councilmember Grant stated that Resolution No. 2008-020 could be ready for a vote on March 31,2008. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). B. Approval of Resolution No. 2008-021, Approvinl!: Second Amendment to the Preliminarv Development Al!:reement with RRLD, LLC. Interim City Administrator Willis stated the existing preliminary agreement with RRLD, LLC expires at the end of March. The agreement was approved last year with the expectation that the process would move forward more rapidly. He stated that it was proposed to extend the agreement for an additional year. The budget that was originally set up for this project still has approximately half the funds remaining so there would be no need to amend the budget at this time: there may be before the end of the next twelve months. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Grant seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 2008-021, Approving Second Amendment to the Preliminary Development Agreement with RRLD, LLC. Councilmember Holden asked if there was a clause in the agreement that allowed the City to negotiate if there is a shortage of funding. Interim City Administrator Willis stated that if there was a need for additional funding then both parties have the opportunity and obligation to get together and discuss it. There will be a need to discuss a budget amendment in the future and the developer is aware if this. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 16 The motion carried unanimously (5-0). C. Discussion on the Visit Minneapolis North Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of Arden Hills and the 3% Lodl!:inl!: Tax. Assistant City Administrator Simon stated that the City had received a letter from one of the partners of the Super 8 Motel requesting the City to opt out of the agreement with Visit Minneapolis North Convention and Visitors Bureau and the 3% lodging tax. There is currently only one hotel/motel in Arden Hills at this time, the Super 8 Motel. The purpose of the 3% lodging tax is to promote and attract visitors to this area. It is brought to the City Council to determine if this is an agreement that the City wishes to continue. To answer any questions Mr. Dave Looby from Visit Minneapolis North and Mr. Vik Bhartia from the Super 8 Motel were present. Councilmember McClnng asked Mr. Bhatia for additional information as to why he felt the City should discontinue the agreement with Visit Minneapolis North. Mr. Vik Bhartia, Owner of the Super 8 Motel, stated that the motel has not seen any material benefit from this arrangement, there has not been any additional marketing or additional visitors. He stated that Visit Minneapolis North was more directed to work with bigger hotels and motels that offer more services. He also stated that he was expecting to see more visitors since the Holiday Inn was closed than he could expect from Visit Minneapolis North. He noted that when the Holiday Inn was open the Super 8 Motel did not have a choice in whether this arrangement was continued. Councilmember Holden stated that when the agreement first went into effect the manager of the Super 8 did state that there was an increase in visitors. Mr. Bhartia stated he felt that this was because it was a probationary type period so Visit Minneapolis North pushed business their way. But after a few months, they did not see any additional benefits. Mayor Harpstead asked Mr. Looby if he had any comments on the benefits that the City gets and how the $65,000 in funds collected was being used. Mr. Dave Looby, 6200 Shingle Creek Blvd., Brooklyn Park, Visit Minneapolis North Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that the company has worked with Mr. Bhartia when the Super 8 has done ads for the guides distributed by Visit Minneapolis North and they had acted as their design group. Visit Minneapolis North also gives a small percentage of the funds collected back to the City. They also contribute to the City's festivals annually, and advertise the cities in all the publications they do. Mayor Harpstead asked Mr. Looby for clarification on what kind of promotion the City gets. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 17 Mr. Looby explained that promoting the City was their objective and they do this through the Chambers of Commerce. Visit Minneapolis North does try to attend City events and promote City events Councilmember Holden asked Mr. Looby if there were any additional fees outside of the 3 % lodging tax that was collected. Mr. Looby stated that there were no other fees unless the City chose to advertise in their publications outside of the basic listing that Visit Minneapolis North provided. Councilmember Holden asked Mr. Looby for clarification on the amount of funds collected in the last quarter, or since the Holiday !un had closed. Mr. Bhatia stated that of the $65,000 collect last year the Super 8 had contributed $23,000 and for the first quarter of this year he had contributed about $4,000. Councilmember Grant asked Mr. Looby if the number of referrals was tracked. Mr. Looby stated that when the National Sports Center had events there were 206 rooms attributed to Visit Minneapolis North. Had the Super 8 not been a member, it would have cost the Super 8 $1,549, which is the National Sports Center's incentive plan costs. Councilmember Grant stated that the 206 rooms rented did not cover the $23,000 in costs the hotel had incurred. He also acknowledged that the Super 8 may have rented these rooms anyway. Councilmember Holmes stated it appeared that Mr. Bhartia did not want this service and did not feel that his business was benefiting. She asked if there was a greater benefit to the City that we may not have access to. Councilmember Grant stated that he did not think the Council should put the publicity of the City on the back of one of its businesses, especially when it has a negative impact. He also stated he did not feel that they should continue the agreement. Councilmember Grant stated that he would like to have staff draw up a resolution so the City is no longer a member of Minneapolis North. Mayor Harpstead stated that he agreed with Councilmember Hohnes and Councilmember Grant to withdraw from Visit Minneapolis North. Councilmember McClung stated he was concerned that this agreement was not having the impact it should have. He would be more comfortable revisiting this once TCAAP was on board and the City had additional hotels. He stated that he would like to direct staff to draw up the papers to discontinue the 3 % lodging tax at this time. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL-March 10, 2008 18 Mr. Looby stated that it did not matter on timing because this year's arrangement went until December 31, 2008. Visit Minneapolis North has asked Mr. Simon to be on their Board and he would like to see the City become more active in the organization and revisit this issue closer to the end f the year. It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to draw up the necessary documents to withdraw from the Visit Minoeapolis North Convention and Visitors Bureau and the 3% lodging tax. D. Maioritv Votinl!: When Three Councilmembers are Present. Mayor Harpstead stated that this item was an agreement that was an administrative policy not a change in ordinance. This is an agreement among the Councihnembers that when there is an item on the agenda that one Councihnember deems important, there needs to be a full compliment of Councihnembers present to vote. Councilmembers could vote by phone but do not count towards a quorum. Councilmember Holden stated that the document presented does capture what she was looking for and questioned how to enact it. Interim City Administrator Willis recommended that if the Council wished to make this a part of an administrative policy, then it should be memorialized in the minutes by a resolution or motion. Councilmember Holden asked for clarification if an administrative policy would have to be voted on each time the Council changed. Mayor Harpstead stated that it would have to be memorialized with the next Council as well. Conncilmember Holmes asked if there was a reason this could not be a part ofthe ordinance. Interim City Administrator Willis stated that he had talked with the City Attorney and the Council could add this to the ordinance ifthey wished to. Mayor Harpstead asked Councihnember Hohnes if it was her intention to have the City Attorney look at the last paragraph of the document and see if it could be added to the code. Councilmember Holmes replied that is correct because if the City does not have an administrative code, it may get lost. It was the consensus of the Council to direct the City Attorney look at the language of the last paragraph of the memo and ask about having it added to the City Code. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. TCAAP Update ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 19 Interim City Administrator Willis referenced the memo sent by Stacie Kvilvang stating that it was an update of things that have gone on since the last regular City Council meeting. Mayor Harpstead stated that it was not captured in the memo that there was no funding in the bonding bills as they moved forward at the House and Senate. Interim City Administrator Willis stated that the information was captured III his Administrative Update. Councilmember Holden asked what was the topic for the June 4-5, 2008 meetings. Interim City Administrator Willis stated that the topics were credits and any other maters in order to keep the process moving forward. Assistant City Administrator Simon stated that the conference call scheduled for March 11, 2008 had been postponed to early April. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Councilmember Holden asked Councihnember McClung to make sure that item 4B, the Sign Ordinances and the resurfacing of the tennis courts, are put in the newsletter. Councilmember Holden asked Michelle Olson when the last day was for people to order trees for the City through Friends ofthe Park if they wished to donate a tree Parks and Recreation Manager Olson responded that the date was April 18, 2008. Councilmember McClung asked if there was a copy ofthe brochure available on the website. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that she would double check and if it is not, she will make sure that it is. Councilmember Grant stated that the Planning Commission had met last Wednesday and passed several items unanimously but they would be coming before the City Council for final approval. These were T-Mobile placing antennas on the Arden Hills water tower, the Holiday Ino, and Northwestern College with a plan to do a portion of the road and the first level of the parking lot. These items are expected to be on the March 31, 2008 regular meeting agenda. Councilmember Holmes asked if letters had been sent to the neighborhood regarding the City not doing the PMP for Ridgewood Avenue. Public Works Director Hoag stated that he was not sure but the City was still going ahead with the Rain Garden Project. He would double check with Kris Giga. Councilmember Holmes stated that she would be absent for the March 31 st Council meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 20 Councilmember Holden stated that there had been several arsons in her neighborhood and the residents have not been informed. Mayor Harpstead stated that it had been helpful to have to Sheriff updates on a regular basis. Mayor Harpstead stated that as a Council they have been unable to schedule an interview with all five of them for the City Administrator position. He had asked Mr. Brull to collect information from the Councilmembers regarding what they were looking for and put it together along with additional interview questions. The Council could go through this at the worksession. He also stated that they would have at least three of the five Councihnembers interviewing and get the candidate base down from six people to three people. Then everyone will get together to interview the final three candidates. Councilmember Holden suggested that the Council look into a scheduling system in order to assist staff in situations like this. This would alleviate staff from having to call each member and get their schedule and trying to coordinate it. She suggested a web based schedule system that she had e-mailed to Mayor Harpstead. Councilmember Holden asked for clarification on the interview process so that the candidates did not have to answer all the same questions for several different groups of people. Interim City Administrator Willis suggested that the Council meet with the candidates first and have the first opportunity to ask questions. Councilmember Grant stated that it was now possible to pay the utility bill on-line but he did not see any communication stating that is an option. He asked what type of communication there would be and if the Park and Recreation offerings were available for online registration. Finance Director Iverson stated that they were still working on the Parks and Recreation items and there should have been communications on the utility bill regarding the ability to pay on- line. They were also going to be doing an article in the newsletter. Councilmember Holden and McClung stated that a small article IS included in the next newsletter. Councilmember Grant asked how long before the Parks and Recreation would be ready. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that they were still trying to work out some kinks. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that the City Egg Hunt will be held this weekend. It starts at 10:30 a.m. at Cumming Park and the fee was $5. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - March 10, 2008 21 ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ~~~Ci<YC~cilM:::= tan Ha tead Jim lis Mayor Interi City Administrator CITY OF ARDEN HILLS REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE: CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION EN HILLS If you wish to address the City Council or Planning Commission, please follow the suggestions listed below. Thank you. (PLEASE PRINT) Date Name Phone Address Agenda Item you wish to address rc, rE7s 7a 77z0 _. /a 9� _ Company of Individual Rep/resenting (if appliicc�able) Note: Please complete this form so that you may be recognized at the appropriate time on the Agenda. You are under no obligation to speak if you decide against it during the meeting. Please state your full name, address and phone number so the record of your comments will be complete in the minutes of this meeting. Thank you. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE: 'It CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION AREN HILLS If you wish to address the City Council or Planning Commission, please follow the suggestions listed below. Thank you. (PLEASE PRINT) Date NAPO Pri L-70 Name 1 Phone .......... ..................... (� Address Agende a�)tetYy2bu X-h to address ........... .......... ....... ...... ............. ............................ ............... ---- --........ Company of Individual Representing (if applicable) ........................................ Note: Please complete this form so that you may be recognized at the appropriate time on the Agenda. You are under no obligation to speak if you decide against it during the meeting. Please state your full name, address and phone number so the record of your comments will be complete in the minutes of this meeting.Thank you. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS 'It REQUEST TO"PEAR BEFORE: CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION AVEN HILLS If you wish to address the City Council or Planning Commission, please follow the suggestions listed below. Thank you. (PLEASE PRINT) Date 31to 10 Name L �A Phone .................---------- .................. ......... Address Agenda Item you wish to address ............. ---------- ........... ....................... ....................................... ............ ........... ........... Company of Individual Representing (if applicable) ..........---..........-.......... .............. Note: Please complete this form so that you may be recognized at the appropriate time on the Agenda. You are under no obligation to speak if you decide against it during the meeting. Please state your full name, address and phone number so the record of your comments will be complete in the minutes of this meeting. Thank you. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE: 'It CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMISSION AVEN HILLS If you wish to address the City Council or Planning Commission, please follow the suggestions listed below. Thank you. (PLEASE PRINT) Date 511010e Name .............................-..------ Address ................... ......------- ................. ............ ...... Agenda Item you wish to address '�— 3:- (V W�awl qk --- Q.5 ...... . --.............................. ............... ...................... ....... Company of Individual Representing(if applicable) 0 r ................----------.-------------------------------------------- ........... .......... -- ---------------- Note: Please complete this form so that you may be recognized at the appropriate time on the Agenda. You are under no obligation to speak if you decide against it during the meeting. Please state your full name, address and phone number so the record of your comments will be complete in the minutes of this meeting. Thank you. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE: CITY COUNCIL/ PLANNING COMMISSION EN HILLS If you wish to address the City Council or Planning Commission, please follow the suggestions listed below. Thank you. (PLEASE PRINT) Date Na _ Ad m ss QQ Agenda Item you wish address -en ✓t a y,e 56_/a o _ 0 0 8- od , ''/ r o ve it e trv► i ct�- _ 5��_n_ 1�asi fion s �br Svt-f rev s fc �e 9�, f/w��o , y J Company of Individual Representing (if applicable) n q*1 of Note: Please complete this form so that you may be recognized at the appropriate time on the Agenda. You are under no obligation to speak if you decide against it during the meeting. Please state your full name, address and phone number so the record of your comments will be complete in the minutes of this meeting. Thank you. Received MAR 10 2008 Council Members, City of Arden Hills Several of us from Arden Manor had an occasion to meet with Senator Chaudhary and Representative Knuth in their offices at the capital on February 27, 2008 during a Manufactured Home Park Lobby Day. When talking to both of them about the request for funding for Hwy 10 & CR 96 from this year's bonding bill, they both specifically told us that they purposely withdrew the request for funding, because there was so much controversy surrounding this issue, the citizens were in opposition, and the city council was not in agreement yet about what should be done with these highways. They did not feel it was appropriate to request this funding at this time. I feel that you need to understand that they have gone on record with us as not being willing to support funding for this highway expansion until agreement can be made with the citizens and everyone is on the same page. To this end, we asked them if they would be willing to arrange for and participate in a meeting with the concerned citizens of Arden Hills (including Arden Manor & Briar Knoll representatives), the Arden Hills City Council, Ramsey County, and representatives from MnDOT, to see if some kind of agreement can be reached. They wholeheartedly said they would be willing to do this, and Kate Knuth said she would be willing to set this up. I know her schedule is very full right now, but I intend to remind her of what she said to us until she does fulfill what she said. She maybe doesn't think it's a pressing matter. We also discussed with our legislators the possibility of Arden Hills forming a Concerned Citizens Committee of some kind to work directly with the staff and City Council, in every step of this process, with meetings of their own. Both Senator Chaudhary and Rep. Knuth thought that this was a good idea. I think it is premature of the City Council to pass this resolution now, when the staff has ignored one major request for further study of a signalized intersection, which would go a long way to mitigating our concerns. And I think a meeting like I described would be helpful to have before a resolution is passed that would move these highways into a preliminary design phase. Thank you for your time, and listening to our concerns. Kristy Effinger Secretary, Arden Manor Residents' Association Received MAR 10 ?008 Council Members, City of Arden Hills I wanted to pass along some information that I learned from MNDOT in a conversation last Friday that I think may be useful in your upcoming planning discussions surrounding options for Highway 10 and TCAAP access. The recap of my conversation below is a bit long but please read through as I believe it presents important background should Council wish to resume discussion of signalized intersections with MNDOT before or at the next TCAAP-related council meeting. The bottom line is that an Area Manager, Chris Roy in this case, should have a feasibility study to support refusal to consider signalized intersections along MNDOT controlled roadways (I cannot recall if he has cited this before). More importantly, it seems that general MNDOT policy is to be open to re-evaluating a study and possibly initiating a new one based on the needs of a city and circumstances that have possibly changed since the time the first study (if there is one) was commissioned. Regards, Dave Boldt 1555 Briarknoll Circle --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Note: The continued refusal at council meetings of MNDOT officials to consider City Council interest in signal lights along Highway 10 prompted this call on my part to attempt to gain a better understanding of how MNDOT makes and supports such decisions.) I placed a call into MNDOT on the afternoon of 2/15 and spoke to Mike Gerbensky, the Metro District Signal and Lighting Design and Operations Manager. I introduced myself as an Arden Hills resident with questions about the 10/96 intersection and possibility of proposing a signalized access off 10 into TCAAP. He was extremely helpful in explaining the process within MNDOT for working with a city to make such an effort happen. What I found most interesting about this call was that he characterized MNDOT as typically being very willing to work with cities to reach solutions that meet the needs of both parties and that if a study or plan from MNDOT precludes requirements from the city then MNDOT is usually willing to reevaluate the study that reached those conclusions via a cooperative process. Here's an example of how things typically work: 1 . A city proposes an intersection along a section of roadway controlled by MNDOT 2. MNDOT reviews the geometrics and layout of the proposal via an Intersection Control Evaluation 3. Results of the Intersection Control Evaluation are presented to the city and plans adopted/adjusted based on the findings Mike also told me that it is possible that a section of roadway, such as Highway 10 from 96 to 35W, may have been previously evaluated as part of a broader study called a Corridor Study. In our case, it is possible that signalized intersections were recommended against as part of a broader Corridor Study. However, he said it is not unusual for such studies to be reevaluated based on new circumstances or requests from cities along impacted routes. He also said that these studies are usually done with involvement and input from the city. It's possible that you and other city officials may already be well versed in this whole process, but I wanted to pass the information along as potentially useful background info for ongoing discussions between the city and MNDOT. Mike did add that the area manager, Chris Roy in our case, should be familiar with any previously published reports and also responsible for initiating new reports if none exist or revisiting the old ones should new information or requests from the city require that action. I haven't heard Chris cite these reports in support of his conclusions, so maybe the issue could be raised with him and a request for a new or updated study submitted, especially considering the recent interest from the council in pursuing signalized access to TCAAP. If you are interested in speaking with Mike Gerbensky, his contact information is: Mike Gerbensky Signal Design/Lighting Design and Operations Manager 651-234-7816