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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-08-WS ~ ~~HILLS Approved: November 10, 2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING OCTOBER 27,2008 IMMEDIDATLEY FOLLOWING THE OCTOBER 27, 2008, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 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 8:21 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Dave McClung. Absent: None. Also present: City Administrator Ron Moorse; Public Works Director Gregory Haag; Finance Director Susan Iverson; Civil Engineer Kristine Giga; Community Development Director James Lehnhoff; and Park and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson. 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Concept Plan of Bridge over TH 10 connecting Old Highway 10 to North Snelling Civil Engineer Giga presented the City Council with a resident submitted concept for a bridge over TH 10 connecting Old Highway 10 to North Snelling. She provided a brief overview of the concerns and costs associated with this plan. Civil Engineer Giga noted the length of the cul-de-sac was a concern to staff. She noted detailed drainage analysis would be needed if the bridge was to proceed, and some power poles would need to be relocated. Civil Engineer Giga indicated the estimated costs were a rough estimate based on Mn/Dot guided unit costs and the height, width and length of the bridge. She ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 27, 2008 2 added that the land was currently owned by Xcel Energy, which would require right-of-way acquisition estimated at $200,000. Civil Engineer Giga noted the preliminary numbers show the bridge would cost $5 million. Councilmember Grant asked if this altered the intersection at Highway 10 and County Road 96. Civil Engineer Giga stated that intersection would not be changed. Mayor Harpstead questioned if the County had been addressed regarding the proposed bridge. Civil Engineer Giga stated they had not been contacted and that the governing agency would be MnDOT because the bridge was spanning TH 10. \ Further discussion ensued regarding the proposed bridge over TH 10. Mayor Harpstead questioned the benefits of this bridge to the City. Civil Engineer Giga stated this would be an alternate crossing point over TH 1 0 for those trying to avoid the Highway 10lCounty Road 96 interchange. Councilmember McClung stated he thought the County was not interested in entertaining the option of a signalized intersection at North Snelling at County Road 96 near the TCAAP entrance. Civil Engineer Giga stated this was correct. Councilmember Grant asked how confident staff was in the cost analysis. Civil Engineer Giga stated the roadway construction numbers were based on MnDOT guidelines. The drainage estimate was conservative at this point due to the fact other agencies would need to be involved. Mayor Harpstead questioned if the estimate was for a curved or straight bridge. Civil Engineer Giga stated the estimate was for a straight bridge. Curved bridges have additional expenses. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 27, 2008 3 Councilmember Grant expressed his concern addressing the benefits versus the costs associated with the bridge. He indicated he was surprised at the $5 million price tag and that he would have to review the benefits at this point before proceeding. Councilmember Grant stated Arden Hills was cut up by many roadways and railroads; and that a proper connection would bring the community together and be well travelled. Mayor Harpstead stated he was not interested in this proposal. He felt there was not significant benefit to the City and that the cost was underestimated. Mayor Harpstead indicated there were other ways the City could spend $5 million to benefit its residents. He indicated the idea of a pedestrian trail across TH 1 0 may be revisited at some point in the future. Councilmember Grant agreed asking that this item be filed away and not pursued further. He noted he would be in favor of investigating a pedestrian trail in the future" Councilmember Holmes agreed. Councilmember Holden indicated the Council should be looking at the Round Lake Road business section that only has one entrance and exit. She asked that the Council address that issue. Councilmember McClung explained he was not in support of the bridge over TH 10" Councilmember Grant thanked staff for their efforts In bringing this item forward. It was the consensus of the City Council to not support the bridge over TH 10 connecting Old Highway 10 to North Snelling. B. Office Expansion Proposal City Administrator Moorse presented the City Council with information regarding a proposed office expansion on the second floor of the City Hall building. He noted this has been an issue for quite a while, with funding set aside for the last couple of years. City Administrator Moorse noted a portion of the expansion was done but that the second phase would add three additional offices on the second floor. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 27, 2008 4 City Administrator Moorse explained the proposal creates spaces on the second floor with an open layout and would free up space on the main level to allow staff to reorganize and enhance how the workplace functions on the main level. He asked for questions or comments from the Council. Councilmember Holmes indicated three new spaces were being created and asked if all were going to be offices. City Administrator Moorse stated three offices were being proposed to ad the existing two cubicles and ran through who would be working upstairs and who would stay on the main level to remain community friendly. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed office expansion. Councilmember Holden questioned the size of the proposed new offices. City Administrator Moorse stated additional modular offices could be added. Public Works Director Hoag indicated the new offices would be the same size as the existing offices on the main level. Councilmember Holden asked if five new staff members were added to assist with TCAAP if the proposed offices could be made smaller to fit the increase in staff. Councilmember Grant stated he would need additional numbers before he could support solid walls. He noted the original intent was that the offices would be modular with the offices on the main level for the director level. Councilmember Grant indicated he understood solid walls were desirable, but that needs have to be met both now and into the future once TCAAP began. Councilmember McClung expressed concern on the lack of information regarding the staffing needs when TCAAP begins. He stated the City does not want to begin staffing outside of the current building. Councilmember Holmes questioned if the basement could be used for offices. City Administrator Moorse indicated the basement has the potential for offices and that the National Guard may move out of their space in the future which would free up additional space for the City. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 27,2008 5 Councilmember Holmes stated she felt the City Hall had an abundance of wasted space and suggested an overall plan be created to take into account the future staffing needs. She asked that the entire building be utilized more effectively. Mayor Harpstead explained the building was designed from the outside and not for utility on the inside. He indicated the facilities management was difficult with this building. Mayor Harpstead stated he would like to see the organization break down walls and create more interaction between staff members to increase the synergy amongst City workers. He thought the use of the facility and the design needed to coincide and encouraged staff to review this before a final decision was made. Mayor Harpstead indicated now would be the time to make these enhancements as commodity prices have dropped along with labor. Councilmember Holden agreed with the Mayor noting the organization of the City staff could be looked at to become more efficient, while also considering future staffing needs. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to further investigate the organization of City staff and how the proposed office expansion could be best utilIzed, keeping in mind there will be future staffing needs. C. Council Goal Setting Retreat Preparation City Administrator Moorse explained he spoke with Kent Eklund about the upcoming retreat. He summarized the conversation indicating the desired outcome of the Council goal setting retreat would be to identify a small number of substantial goals for 2009. Councilmember Holden questioned if the goal setting retreat was for staff and Councilor just Council and asked how long this session would be. Mayor Harpstead suggested there be some time set aside with staff and time without staff. City Administrator Moorse stated he felt the retreat would begin at 8:00 a.m. and go until noon with lunch, with additional time to wrap things up afterwards. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 27, 2008 6 Discussion ensued regarding the last retreat session held by Council. Mayor Harpstead indicated the past retreat was more lengthy due to the new Councilmembers, Mayor and staff. City Administrator Moorse stated if a specific focus was set ahead of time, he felt the time spent at the retreat could be reduced. Councilmember McClung asked if the Council should have time together at the beginning of the retreat to allow staff to come in later. City Administrator Moorse stated he would work this out with Mr. Eklund to find the most efficient way to run the retreat, to assist the Council in setting priorities. Councilmember Holden questioned if staff would be reporting on their priorities for 2009. City Administrator Moorse indicated this may not take place, due to time constraints as he would like to focus on the Council. Councilmember Holden and Mayor Harpstead agreed with this recommendation. Further discussion was held about where the retreat would be held. Staff stated they would report back with the location along with further details. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS City Administrator Moorse noted there was a question about neighborhood watch groups. He reviewed with the Council all of the groups presently meeting. Councilmember Grant thanked staff for this information stating it was great to have it in one place. Councilmember Holden suggested the Crime Prevention Officer come before the Council with his recommendations for the City. The Council agreed with this suggestion. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - OCTOBER 27, 2008 7 Councilmember Holden stated Northwest Youth and Family Services would like to address the Council at a future meeting. She encouraged staff to contact this organization to have this scheduled. at 9:29 p.m. Ronald J. oorse City Administrator