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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-10-R -----AVEN.IHILLS Approved: February 22, 2010 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 8, 2010 7:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead, Council Members Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Dave McClung Absent: David Grant (excused). Also present: Acting City Administrator/Finance Director Susan Iverson; Community Development Director James Lehnhoff; Civil Engineer Kristine Giga; Public Works Director Greg Hoag; Mark Lindeberg, North Area Engineer, Mn/DOT; Wayne Norris, North Area Manager, Mn/DOT; Tannie Eshenaur, Minnesota Department of Health Community Health Coordinator; Dan Symonik, Environmental Impacts Analysis Unit Supervisor from the Minnesota Department of Health; and Recording Secretary, Tina Borg PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meetinLa agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL A. TCAAP Update Community Development Director James Lehnhoff stated the conference call with Kevin Legare that was scheduled for today was cancelled and the next scheduled conference call is February 22. He also stated a letter outlining the City's concerns and questions was sent to Kevin Legare on February 2. During the January 25, 2010, conference call with the GSA, Mr. Legare requested a letter outlining the reasons the proposed 150-foot wide trail corridor along the eastern property line of TCAAP and the southern border of the Wildlife Corridor should be transferred to ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 2 2.A. TCAAP Update (continued) Ramsey County. Staff is working with Greg Mack, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Director, to prepare that letter and the letter was sent to Mr. Legare. The purpose of the letter is to - support Mr. Legare's efforts to move forward with the trail corridor transfer. In accordance with the Special City Council meeting that was held on February 1, 2010, Staff is sending a written response to Shoreview regarding their recent meeting proposal. Staff is also preparing information for the February 16, 2010, City Council work session to discuss a process for sharing information with area cities and the County along with a review of the overall planning process. _ Councilmember Holmes stated at the Special Council Meeting on February 1, 2010, Mayor Harpstead had stated this body has objected to joint meeting with the EDC, the FPAC and the Planning Commission. She stated she was not able to recall any situations where the Council has objected to a joint meeting with any of these bodies. She stated it would be important if these bodies do want to meet then the Council should meet with them. She asked each of the Council Members who were liaisons to these groups to ask them if they would like to meet with the City Council in a TCAAP work session and discuss any matters. This will ensure that the are people not left out of the process. Councilmember Holden stated she had been the liaison for EDC for the last two years and they had been told that they were not involved with the TCAAP situation. Mayor Harpstead stated Councilmember Holmes had presented an excellent suggestion and asked that the liaisons for the EDC, FPAC, PTRC, and the Planning Commission to ask if there would be any interest in attending a work session. If they would be interested then Staff could schedule this. Councilmember Holmes stated the City should also move forward and complete the Community Survey that had been worked on previously by the Council. She asked who was responsible for this. Acting City Administrator Susan Iverson stated she had the documents from the previous work that was done on the Community Survey and this could be brought to the Council at a work session for additional discussions. Councilmember Holden stated she was offended that Councilmember Holmes was stating the Council was not keeping the public up to date on TCAAP. Councilmember Holmes clarified that she was discussing Mayor Harpstead's comments from the Special Meeting on February 1, when he said that the people have been left out of the process. She would like to see the Council bring the people back into the process with TCAAP. B. City Administrator Recruitment Update Acting City Administrator Susan Iverson stated the application deadline had been extended to February 15, 2010. As of today there have been 71 applicants for the position. March 8, 2010, is ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 3 2.B. City Administrator Recruitment Update (continued) the tentative date for the City Council to determine the finalists for interviewing on March 26 and 27. PUBLIC Mayor Harpstead opened the public inquiries/informational at 7:09 p.m. Mr. Gregg Larson, 3377 N. Snelling Avenue, Arden Hills, expressed displeasure with the actions taken by members of the City Council at the Special Meeting on February 1, 2010, specifically the two resolutions that were passed at this meeting regarding the TCAAP property. He explained that it is understandable for Shoreview to have an interest in what happens at the TCAAP property. Mr. Chris Stanton, 1875 Lake Lane, Arden Hills, on behalf of his mother's at 1569 property Edgewater Avenue, expressed concerns about the changes that are being proposed in the Shoreland Regulations. He does not approve of using more than the two adjacent properties to determine the setback of a new home or addition. At the last Planning Commission meeting new language had been presented that expanded the definition of adjacent to include more than just the two adjacent properties and also added the language of"minus ten feet" as a matter of code. Councilmember Holmes stated the Planning Commission had discussed the language "minus ten feet" at length but the other provision of utilizing more than just the two adjacent properties was J p p not brought up. Mr. Stanton stated City Planner Beekman had changed the definition of adjacent to include "the two adjacent and more". Councilmember Holmes stated this would be looked into because it was not presented at the Planning Commission meeting that more than the two adjacent properties could be used to p p determine the setback. Mr. Stanton stated an attorney has been hired to represent and assist the family until this regulation has been finalized. He stated that the attorney has prepared a letter and this was presented to Staff and will be forwarded to the Council as well. Community Development Director Lehnhoff clarified that there had been a misprint and the language is to use the two adjacent homes only, not more as was in the version of the ordinance that Mr. Stanton is referring to. Mr. Stanton stated City Planner Beekman was also misleadingwhen she told the Planning g Commission that the "minus ten feet" language was used by both Roseville and Shoreview because this is not the case. Mayor Harpstead closed the public inquiries/informational at 7:17 p.m. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 4 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 19, 2010 City Council Worksession Meeting MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the January 19, 2010 City Council Worksession Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously(4-0). 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll B. Bolton & Menk October 2009 Payment for Engineering Services for Regional Transportation Projects MOTION: Councilmember McClung moved and Mayor Harpstead seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar and to authorize execution of all necessary documents contained therein. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 5. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Mn/DOT I694 Project Update Civil Engineer Kristine Giga stated Mn/DOT has identified an improvement project for the interchange of Interstate 694, Highway 10, Snelling Avenue and Hamline Avenue in Arden Hills. The proposed work would rebuild the highways and seven bridges to improve safety and mobility. Y Two bridges at Island Lake just west of Victoria Street are also proposed as a part of this project. p Mn/DOT representatives Mark Lindeberg, North Area Engineer, and Wayne Norris, North Area Manager, are in attendance to present the Council with information on the project including several layouts and proposed project timelines. Councilmember Holden asked if this project is going to be moving forward and be completed within the next five years given all the budget cutbacks. - Mr. Mark Lindeberg, North Area Engineer with Mn/DOT, stated this is a project that Mn/DOT is proceeding with. Mn/DOT's goal is to start in 2011. He stated that there are seven bridges in the Snelling/TH 10 area and two bridges at Island Lake that will be reconstructed as part of this project. The money for these bridges is set-aside in 2014. With this money, Mn/DOT has two options for reconstructing the bridges. These options are: replace the bridges in kind or new bridge locations to improve safety. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 5 7.A. Mn/DOT I694 Project Update (continued) Councilmember McClung asked if replacing the bridges in kind included exactly where they are now and enough room on the bridge to accommodate a third lane in each direction. - Mr. Lindeberg stated having three lanes on these bridges where they are currently located is difficult based on the geometrics that are used today. Mn/DOT would look at trying to make the new bridges large enough to try and increase capacity. He reviewed the noise analysis that has already been done for the entire corridor. Mn/DOT is proposing as part of this project to get more in depth with the noise studies. Councilmember Holden asked if the standard methodology was going to be used to determine if sound walls will work in this area, even though Highway 10 is now being turned into a major interstate. Mr. Lindeberg stated Mn/DOT uses the same standard noise process for every situation including interstates. Councilmember Holden clarified that this would not be good enough because Highway 10 is being changed into an interstate and this will change the quality of life for entire residential neighborhoods. Mr. Lindeberg stated as part of the noise analysis for this project Mn/DOT is in the process of hiring another consultant to review this. Once the consultant is on board, Mn/DOT would like to create a Noise Advisory Committee (NAC). The NAC should consist of the consultant, two to four residents that live within the project area, one Arden Hills Council Member, Mn/DOT staff and City staff. This committee would have three to five meetings to learn about Noise 101, what the process is, and what the rules and regulations are. There would be a meeting to discuss the preliminary findings of the noise study and ask the consultant questions. Subsequent meeting would be the result of these previous meetings. Councilmember Holden clarified that the purpose for the NAC is just educating the people. Mr. Lindeberg stated the committee would educate the people and work through the process by having this group of people work with the consultant on what their concerns are and what the study shows. As they work through the process they would provide input to make sure the study is looked at they way this group would like to have it looked at. Mayor Harpstead asked if neighboring cities have used NACs. He asked Mn/DOT to provide contact information so that Staff could contact them to discuss their experience with NAC. - Mr. Lindeberg stated it has been used before. One recent project was the Highway 62 Crosstown area. He clarified that he would provide contact information to Staff. Councilmember Holden stated the City has already been told that the methodology does not warrant sound walls. She asked how NAC was different and if it would get the City sound walls. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL--February 8, 2010 6 7.A. Mn/DOT I694 Project Update (continued) Mr. Lindeberg stated the purpose of the NAC would be to look into the sound issue deeper, such as different lengths of walls or heights of walls in different areas versus looking at it as one wall.He clarified that he is not stating or guaranteeing sound walls would be warranted or feasible in this project. Councilmember Holmes stated it is important for the community to be heard and they do want to understand the process. The residents question the study, the methodology, and the results. She stated that NAC would be invaluable for the residents to get their answers from Mn/DOT. She stated that more than two to four residents should be on the committee because there are different neighborhoods involved with this project. Mr. Lindeberg stated that the Noise 101 would answer several questions that the residents may have in regard to the noise study and how it is done and evaluated. He did caution about having too many people on the committee in order to keep the committee functioning properly. He went on to explain the Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed. Mn/DOT has worked with the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) to be sure the correct environmental process has been completed for the bridges. Mayor Harpstead asked if this document was available on-line at Mn/DOT. Mr. Lindeberg stated it was available on-line. Mn/DOT has also been working with its Traffic Engineering group on this project. Some of the work previously completed by Mn/DOT includes traffic forecasts and traffic modeling. These were reassessed because there have been some changes since it was completed. Mn/DOT is also working on the Interstate Access Modification document. This document was substantially completed with the I694 project but was not submitted for approval because they were waiting for the layouts to be developed that were included with the I694 EA. Councilmember McClung asked if there was any documentation available that listed the different assumptions in the traffic forecast that was previously completed and the one being done for this project. Mr. Lindeberg stated he did not believe this document had been done but it would be a good idea to have this available as part of the I694 project. He stated that there is a public open house scheduled for Thursday, February 11, at City Hall to discuss the different concepts that are being reviewed. Mn/DOT would then like to be on the City Council's March 8, 2010 agenda to discuss what was learned at this open house and then hold another open house the week of March 22, which will outline the preferred alternative. Mn/DOT would like to have a strong public process and this would include local group meetings, the NAC process, City Staff/Council updates, and County updates. Mayor Harpstead stated that a meeting should be planned with some of the businesses in this area as well. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February S, 2010 7 7.A. Mn/DOT I694 Project Update (continued) Councilmember Holden asked for an update on Hamline Avenue and its access to the freeway system and Snelling Avenue. - Mr. Lindeberg stated most of the concepts have west bound I694 exit ramp to Hamline Avenue removed. There is a weaving problem with the traffic entering from Lexington Avenue if there is an exit to Hamline Avenue as well and this would be unsafe. It was also determined that there was not enough traffic on the Hamline exit to make it a benefit to keep an unsafe exit in the system. Mayor Harpstead asked if Mn/DOT had looked into where the cars that currently use the Hamline Avenue exits would move to and what potential traffic problems this would create on County Road E and County Road F, which have substandard intersections. Mr. Lindeberg stated as,part of the I694 project Mn/DOT did look at how the traffic patterns would shift and the traffic modeling and traffic forecasting showed this traffic being dispersed in a variety of ways,but County Road E and County Road F were not looked at specifically. Councilmember McClung stated this project may be solving a regional issue but could potentially be creating larger local issues. Councilmember Holden clarified that more accesses to Highway 51 are needed because it is a problem now and closing off another access will increase this problem. Mr. Lindeberg stated this project is not looking at Snelling Avenue but rather I694. Councilmember Holden clarified that Mn/DOT was not looking at regional impacts then. Mr. Lindeberg stated in the modeling that was done previously regional impacts were looked at. This study did not show that a problem existed. This does not mean that they did an analysis on the entire length of Snelling. Councilmember Holmes clarified that Mn/DOT would be able to explain at the open house; why it will be unsafe to have the exits at Lexington and Hamline in the new road proposal compared to the current road, which has both exits. Mr. Lindeberg stated the traffic engineer has pointed out that this is an unsafe area currently and Mn/DOT does not want to design a new road with similar unsafe conditions. He also stated that when the area is reconstructed the ramps will be longer to meet current design standards and this will shorten the distance between the ramps making it unsafe. He clarified that this would be explained at the open house on Thursday. Councilmember McClung expressed concerns about the reconstruction of I694 from I35E and I35W and adding the additional capacity. He stated it is a problem when it takes a resident the same amount of time to get home from downtown on the back roads as it does to take the highways. Part of the problem for this is there is a substandard section of the beltway from I35E ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 8 7.A. Mn/DOT I694 Project Update (continued) to 135W. He asked if the improvement of adding the additional throughput lane in each direction was on Mn/DOT's schedule? Mr. Lindeberg stated before Mn/DOT can begin a lane expansion project they need to make the improvements to the Snelling/Highway 10 area. It is not currently possible to get six lanes of traffic between I3 5E and I3 5 W without making these improvements. Having these improvements would allow the roadway to be setup for the opportunity to add the fifth and sixth lanes. There have been discussions about the two additional lanes. He clarified that he cannot say that this is something that is funded and going to happen, only something that has been discussed. Mn/DOT is in the process of developing its MHSIS, which is looking at its fifty-year getting d an plan an p g g idea as to what is going to be needed and what can be done. The additional lanes for this section of road will be on this plan but it is not currently on any scheduled plan. Councilmember McClung stated he has not seen the level of leadership from Mn/DOT in regard to this that he would like. Mr. Lindeberg reviewed the different concept plans that will be presented at the open house for public input. He stated that Option 1 is not really feasible but it will still be presented to the public at the open house for their input. Councilmember Holden asked who owns the land that would be used in Option 2. Mr. Lindeberg clarified this property is owned by Mn/DOT. He stated that the loop in Option 2 ,is substandard and this could be a problem that would need to be looked at. He stated that Option 5 may have safety issues as well. All the Options will be presented to the public. Councilmember Holden clarified that the input received from the open house on Thursday would reduce the number of design options. Councilmember Holmes pointed out that the open house is on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Councilmember Holden asked if the number of loops on the road would reduce the number of people who would utilize the road. Mr. Lindeberg stated people do not shy away from a road because of loops but this would also depend on the other options that are available to the driver. He also reviewed the ro osed p p schedule in regard to this project. Mn/DOT will be determining a preferred design in April 2010 and bring that to the City for municipal consent. They are looking at an April 2011 letting date, which would mean construction in the summer of 2011. Councilmember Holden asked if the NAC process would be done by April. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 9 7.A. Mn/DOT I694 Project Update (continued) Mr. Lindeberg stated the majority of the NAC process would be done at that point in time. If NAC has not gotten through the process the timeline could be stretched. - Councilmember Holden clarified if NAC says that a sound wall is needed then it needs to be in the bid. Mr. Lindeberg clarified that NAC would not be responsible for constructing the sound walls but _ it would need to be in the plan. Mayor Harpstead clarified that Mn/DOT is on the fast track with this project and will be hiring a consultant. He also stated that the City would need to find members for the NAC committee within the next couple of weeks. Mr. Lindeberg stated it would be a couple of weeks before the consultant is hired and then a couple of weeks before the NAC meeting. Mayor Harpstead stated this would only allow two to three meetings for NAC before the April 2010 deadline for municipal consent. He stated that residents that are interested should get their names in quick and early. He suggested having a sign up sheet at the open house on Thursday. Councilmember Holden asked who the point of contact would be at the City for this committee. Civil Engineer Giga stated that she and Public Works Director Greg Hoag have been the liaisons for this project. They will determine who the contact person should be and have that available for the open house on Thursday. B. Minnesota Department of Health — Health Impact Assessment Program for TCAAP - Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the Environmental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently contacted City Staff to discuss the idea of conducting a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) property. MDH provided a summary of the HIA process, how it could benefit the City's planning process for TCAAP, and a project timeline. The HIA process is intended to enhance the traditional planning process by providing an additional viewpoint that focuses on the health impacts of a development and creates recommendations to mitigate possible negative health impacts. Along with other land use regulations, the recommendations can then be used to help review or revise a development proposal to expand on positive health impacts and reduce - negative health impacts. In 2006, Arden Hills was one of 19 cities that received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota to incorporate active living principles into the City's planning process. The primary purpose of that program was to encourage cities to include a health impact perspective in the overall planning process. While the TCAAP property does not have a development proposal at this time, the results of an HIA could be used to help create land use regulations and/or evaluate a future development proposal. Although this is not a typical planning grant, Staff believes that this is an opportunity that would support the City's efforts in preparing ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 10 7.B. Minnesota Department of Health — Health Impact Assessment Program for TCAAP (continued) land use regulations for the TCAAP property. The timeline for the preparation of this report was reviewed. It is also important to note that an HIA is not a review of environmental contamination. Ms. Tannie Eshenaur, Minnesota Department of Health Community Health Coordinator, explained the grant that they have been given and how they are using this to train their staff and help communities with their development plans. At this time they are looking to be able to use the TCAAP property as a training example for their staff and provide a benefit to the City. Councilmember McClung stated there is value in this but he expressed concerns because this is said to be a Health Impact Assessment Program and the TCAAP property is a known contaminated piece of property. This study may confuse people about what is being looked at in this study. Ms. Eshenaur clarified that Councilmember McClung was referring to the terminology used in the title. This is not the type of public health evaluation where the site would be characterized and the levels of contamination would be looked at. She clarified that the unit that she works in with the Department of Health does look at contamination levels and determine if these can be developed but this is not what this study will be looking at. Councilmember Holden clarified that this study would be looking at active living on the property. Ms. Eshenaur stated active living is a piece of the HIA and because this is going to be a rapid HIA this will be the piece that they will focus on. For this study they would like the City to direct them into the area that they would like to have looked at. Mayor Harpstead stated the City was heading toward an AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review) and this would be looking at environmental impacts. One of the key elements is the significance of mitigation and mitigation plans. He asked if this process would flow into an AUAR. Community Development Director Lehnhoff clarified that MDH would not be looking at soil samples or water samples as part of this particular HIA and this is not a remediation review. It is meant to look at the higher level planning issues related to the property. He also stated that the information from the HIA maybe helpful in the AUAR,but would not replace it. Councilmember Holden stated the Pollution Control Agency and the EPA were telling the City that this land is safe for development and now the Department of Health may say that it is not. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the HIA would not determine if the land is safe or not but rather what considerations the City would want to look at with the land use plan. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 11 7.B. Minnesota Department of Health — Health Impact Assessment Program for TCAAP (continued) Mr. Eshenaur stated the main emphasis of the study or proposal will be looking at things like - how close a residential development is to a highway, where residents are in relation to stores and parks, what kind of effect a tree canopy may have and other related issues. Other things that may be looked at include do people feel safe, looking at the amount of green space and where it is located in relation to residents, and looking at the general environmental quality. Councilmember McClung stated he is in favor of the study but does have concerns that the name will confuse people. Councilmember Holden clarified Councilmember McClung is requesting that the name be changed to something else. Councilmember Holden asked what was meant by general environmental quality and what would be looked at with this. She stated it was her understanding that this HIA would be looking at active living. Mr. Dan Symonik, Environmental Impacts Analysis Unit Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Health, stated working on an HIA outside of the classroom not only will provide their staff with training but also point out problems that need to be looked at such as the name of the program. What the MDH is hoping to do is create something of value in the community and they will design their process in this HIA to avoid any hot spots on the property. He explained that this is going to be a rapid HIA and would be done in a three to four hour time span. At this time they are proposing to look at the active living aspect on the property. The definition of environmental quality within the context of HIA is to address a number of different areas depending on the aspect of environment. Environment can be community related with this and include things such as complete streets and streetlights. It can also come down to what is in the ground water and what is in the soil. The definition would depend on what part of the HIA you are working on. Mayor Harpstead stated there is a potential title on the document already and this is "Design For Health Workshop". He stated that it would be important to populate a list of mitigation scenarios. The City needs a better understanding on what possible alternatives the City has. It may provide different options that the City is not aware of for dealing with mitigation so that there is not just one mitigation solution available. These might include ideas about adjacent land uses and proximity land uses. Mr. Symonik stated the HIA itself does not get to the level of detail for things. - Councilmember Holden stated that PCA does get into the levels of contamination and how to mitigate this. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 12 7.B. Minnesota Department of Health — Health Impact Assessment Program for TCAAP (continued) Mayor Harpstead clarified from a planning standpoint one could say that if this is the situation - then this would be a potential mitigation and the potential mitigation could be where the sidewalk should be. Councilmember Holmes asked if this project would look at lights, sidewalks, crosswalks, residential locations, more walking and biking and active living versus how the City is going to work around polluted areas. Mr. Symonik stated a full HIA would take a long time and they are proposing a rapid HIA, which would take three to four hours. They would like to pick an area where they can create discussion that does not get into those areas that would cause confusion. Councilmember Holden further clarified that the proposal would not be on the whole 585 acres. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated they would focus on the 585 acres. Mayor Harpstead stated there are two different directions that this is being looked at. One is the accessibility of things and the other is how far apart things are within the development. Mr. Symonik stated the HIA is designed to help a community integrate the assets as well as the risk of a property when developing it. Councilmember Holden asked if the plan would do anything above the Wildlife Corridor knowing that Ramsey County is interested in this area for trails. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated they can avoid that area. The reason the 2007 land use concept is being used is because it will provide a starting point for discussions so that there is something to evaluate. It does not assume that this is what will be implemented but it could provide suggestions for when the City does put together a new concept plan in the future. Councilmember Holden asked if there were any costs associated with the plan. The costs of being able to provide everything that would be suggested would be astronomical. She asked if this was part of the HIA plan. Mr. Symonik stated the HIA lays out alternatives, but doesn't look at cost as that is part of the long term City planning process. They are hoping that as the information comes out they are able to add ways to look at the development to make it the best that it can be for the City. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated this would go hand in hand with other processes that the City will do when looking at developing the TCAAP property. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 13 7.B. Minnesota Department of Health — Health Impact Assessment Program for TCAAP (continued) Councilmember Holden asked if the local access interchange would also be considered in the project plan. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated that the local access interchange would not be included in this project because it has been Council's direction that this is not part of the concept. He clarified that he will also provide the information to MDH including any other constraints. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve Authorizing Staff to Work with the Minnesota Department of Health to Prepare a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) for the 585 Acres of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant(TCAAP) Property. Councilmember McClung stated he would support this motion but suggested that they be careful about the name. Councilmember Holmes stated she would also support this motion. The motion was called to a vote. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Harpstead asked if Council had any concerns or objections regarding the Director of Finance position performance evaluation process Councilmember McClung suggested moving the deadline to the review the process and provide feedback on Tuesday, February 16. Mayor Harpstead agreed to the deadline change. Councilmember Holmes pointed out that the upcoming schedule at City Hall was busy. Senator Chaudhary will be at City Hall for a Town Hall open house on Wednesday, February 10, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the Mn/DOT open house will be on Thursday, February 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Councilmember McClung stated Arden Hills should talk with surrounding communities in regard to the I694 project and determine what the City can do to start placing some political ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—February 8, 2010 14 pressure to move first, the addition of a third lane in each direction into the plan and then to move it up in terms of funding and support. He stated that he has talked with Senator Chaudhary and Representative Knuth about his concerns. He stated Arden Hills should take a leadership role in bringing the surrounding communities together and their Representatives at the Capital together to advocate for this. Other communities have done this and been successful in moving their projects UP. Councilmember McClung stated at the work session that was held at 5:30 p.m. today,_ the Council had discussed engineering capacity. The CP Rail project was mentioned and the City did not get Legacy Grant, however, the City does have a letter of commitment from the CP Rail. He stated that if the City allows this project to slip another year, CP Rail may not be willing to work with the City on this project. He stated that it will be his goal to get this bridge constructed in p J 2010. Mayor Har stead agreed with Councilmember McClung in that Staff does need to reach out and Y p communicate with surrounding communities in regard to the I694 project to ensure that the p are bridges laced on a fast track and to be sure they finish the project properly by incorporating g the proper number of lanes. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). Mayor Har stead adjourned the Regular City Council Meet' me ting at 9: p.m. Y p J / LZ Susan K. Iverson Sta arp ea Acting y Cit Administrator Mayor