Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-10-10-WS EN.HIL LS Approved: May 24, 2010 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MAY 109 2010 6:00 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 City Council Work Session meeting at 6:12 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and David McClung. Absent: None. Also present: City Administrator, Patrick Klaers; Finance Director, Sue Iverson; City Planner, Meagan Beekman; and Beverly Apilkowski. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 1. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS There was nothing at this time. 2. AGENDA ITEMS A. Arden Hills Library Discussion Councilmember Holmes indicated she attended the last Library Board meeting and took a tour of the City's library. At this time, the Library Board has passed a resolution to spend $10 000 to complete a feasibility study to see if the New Brighton Community Center could be designed to include a library, which would replace the library currently in Arden Hills. She explained this would reduce the rent, utilities and janitorial expenses. Councilmember Holmes stated there were a number of issues with the New ry Brighton Libra and g asked how the Council felt about keeping the library in Arden Hills. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MAY 10,1-=201 0 2 2.A Arden Hills Library Discussion Beverly Apilkowski, Library Board Member, stated that in order to keep a library feasible within the community it would need to be paired with another activity. This has been the focus over the past several years. The Arden Hills site does require a great deal of maintenance at this time. Ms. Apilkowski indicated several members on the Board feel that four large libraries was sufficient while others would like to maintain the smaller libraries as each serves a valuable purpose within the community. Mayor Harpstead noted the Library Board is assuming that four large libraries are more efficient and effective. He did not agree with this assumption and wondered if the community value for the - Arden Hills Library was understood by Ramsey County. A better structural organization could be maintained for the space to create better efficiencies for the Library Board. - Ms. Apilkowski stated she felt the smaller libraries played a huge role in the neighborhood communities. There was a big push to make computers more accessible to users. With the addition of these services at the Arden Hills Library the book selection was now cramped. This was leading the Library Board to seek a new location. Councilmember Grant asked if people were willing to drive to the larger libraries on a regular g g basis or if the neighborhood library was a bigger draw. Ms. Apilkowski indicated this has been discussed and that students completing reports will drive to the larger libraries. Families with children, people on bicycle, or elderly often times will use the smaller libraries. She reported that the Roseville Library was the most visited library in the State. Councilmember Holden understood the Arden Hills Library needed maintenance, but felt it would not benefit the library system by eliminating this branch. Councilmember Grant indicated maintenance has been deferred on the Arden Hills building. He noted the current size was another concern. Councilmember McClung explained the Library Board's strategic plan was to eliminate the small libraries and direct traffic to the large libraries. Ms. Apilkowski noted the original discussions from the Library Board were to close one small facility. First it was going to be Arden Hills and then Mounds View due to the low usage. Discussion ensued around these topics and the Library Board wanted to push traffic into the larger libraries that are opened longer hours. However, after hearing from the community, the Librar y Board is seeing a need for small community libraries. Ms. Apilkowski explained that funds are being cut and the Board had to decide how to utilize dollars available. Councilmember McClung questioned where the proposed site in New Brighton was. Councilmember Holmes explained the proposed library site in New Brighton would be in the community center on the first floor, in the Charter School space. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MAY 10, 2010 3 2.A Arden Hills Library Discussion Councilmember McClung expressed concern about access to this location. Councilmember Holmes asked if the Council wanted to take action on this issue. She questioned if the Council was in favor of assisting with the expense to refurbish and expand the Arden Hills Library. Councilmember Holden agreed the City would need to take action in order to compete with the space being offered by New Brighton. Ms. Apilkowski was looking to partner with Bethel University or Presbyterian Homes to create a partnership for the Library. - Councilmember Holmes expressed concern with the fact the Library Board was willing to sell off the property when it was donated by the City. Councilmember McClung was surprised the Library Board was looking to partner with the community center after speaking with the community about potential ideas. Ms. Apilkowski noted the unallotment has cut funding to the libraries and this was causing additional cuts. Mayor Harpstead requested the Council comment on their willingness to spend time, effort and money on the Library in order to keep it in Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden stated the City would need to rebuild, maintain and operate the building in order to compete with the New Brighton Community Center space. Councilmember Holmes noted this was not currently a function completed by the City and should be assumed by the County. Mayor Harpstead noted the majority of the users at the Arden Hills Library resided west of Snelling Avenue and a large proportion lived in New Brighton. Ms. Apilkowski indicated the Library Board has discussed removing the city names from the community libraries and naming them Ramsey County Libraries. Councilmember Holmes asked if the Council would be in favor of refurbishing and renovating the current library building. She estimated this expense to be $500,000. Ms. Apilkowski stated the operating costs would still exist and the Board may not be in favor of keeping the space, even if upgraded. Councilmember Holden expressed concern with the Library Board's value placed on the Arden Hills site, being $550,000 total for both the land and building. She reviewed the tax information and the land was valued at $750,000 with the building worth over$1.8 million. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MAY 10, 2010 4 2.A Arden Hills Library Discussion Councilmember Holmes stated putting additional funds into the library may not be popular. She suggested Presbyterian Homes be contacted to discuss the idea of a partnership. Mayor Harpstead did not see an answer at the current site in Arden Hills. He suggested the City pursue a partnership in order to keep a site within the City, either with Bethel, the Baptist General Conference, Presbyterian Homes or the Mounds View High School. Councilmember Grant requested Council come up with an alternative plan to counter the space suggested by New Brighton. _ Mayor Harpstead suggested staff set up a meeting with Presbyterian Homes, the Baptist General - Conference and Bethel University with several Councilmembers to further discuss this issue. The Council was in favor with this suggestion. Ms. Apilkowski stated she would be willing to participate in those meetings. Mayor Harpstead asked if the Council was in favor of completing a feasibility study on the library to create plans and specs to refurbish the existing site. The Council was not in favor of this suggestion. B. Hazelnut Park City Administrator Klaers explained he met with Pat Nygaard and Millie Bruss on May 6th to g y discuss the Trinity Lutheran Church land available near Hazelnut Park. The church was interested in selling or pursuing a long term lease with the City for this property. An appraisal was completed for the land, which has not been made available to the City to date. He questioned how staff should proceed at this time. City Planner Beekman stated if the land were to be sold to the City, the church would draft up a contract to maintain shared parking space or a long-term easement. Councilmember Holden stated she would like to maintain several rows of parking if the lot were to be purchased. Councilmember Holmes asked if the City paid for usage of the park land at this time. City Planner Beekman noted the City paid $1,000 to assist with snow removal expenses and the land was used for free. Councilmember Holden indicated the church has never maintained the soccer field, it was mowed by the City. City Planner Beekman indicated Recreation Manager Olson uses the field for programmed soccer and would be in favor of gaining the long term use of the land. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 10 2010 5 2.B Hazelnut Park City Administrator HIaers suggested Council pursue a long term lease on the land and that this item be sent to the Finance Committee for review and comment. Mayor Harpstead felt this was a reasonable suggestion and that the Committee could review the appraisal and report back to Council. The Council was in favor of this suggestion. ADJOURN Mayor Harpstead adjourned the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:57 p.m. Patrick Klaers tan H stea City Administrator Mayor