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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-12-10-R E N HI__LLS Approved: June 14, 2010 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 12, 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 David Grant, Brenda Holden and David McClung Absent: Fran Holmes (excused) Also present: Acting City Administrator/Finance Director Sue Iverson; Community Development Director James Lehnhoff; Economic Development Committee Chair Ed von Holtum; and Recording Secretary, Tina Borg PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meetin2 a enda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIESANFORMATIONAL A. TCAAP Update Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the next conference call with the GSA is scheduled for April 13, 2010. The Army has expressed support for portion of Ramsey Count 's pp p y y request for park and open space land. The Wildlife Corridor will still be transferred as anticipated. The Army is supportive of Ramsey q CountY's request for the 500-foot wide trailhead with certain conditions that are still being discussed. The balance of the Primer Tracer area would likely be removed from the public auction and absorbed into the AHATS The 150-foot property. wide trail corridor along the eastern property line has not yet received support from the Army. .y City Staff and the County are continuing discussions op options for obtaining the trail corridor for the County. The Planning Commission continued their review of the proposed TCAAP zoning ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 2 2.A. TCAAP Update (continued) regulations at their worksession on April 7. The EDC will continue their review on April 21 and the PTRC is anticipated to review the regulations at their April 27 meeting. The City is on track to adopt the regulations by the end of June in time for the public auction. The TCAAP multi- jurisdictional meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 14, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Arden Hills City Council Chambers. The TCAAP community meeting is scheduled for April 20, 2010, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Marsden Conference room at the Ramsey County Public Works building. This will be an opportunity for the public to get information on the TCAAP property. B. City Administrator Update Acting City Administrator Sue Iverson stated the City has hired The Brimeyer Group to conduct its search for a new City Administrator. The City Council met on Saturday, April 10, to discuss the top three candidates. Currently the City is in negotiations with its top candidate. An update will be made available once a candidate has been hired by the City. PUBLIC Mayor Harpstead opened the Public Inquiries/Informational at 7:04 p.m. - Mayor Harpstead closed the Public Inquiries/Informational at 7:05 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Claims and Payroll MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden 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. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 3 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Proposal to Purchase Two Gateway Signs from SignArt USA for a Cost Not to Exceed $10,500 to be Located at the Southwest Corner of County Road E and - Lexington Avenue Intersection and the Southeast Corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road Intersection Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the City has looked at installing one or more gateway signs at entry points to the City. This project was added to the Economic Development Commission (EDC) work plan in late 2008. They have prepared a gateway sign design concept and identified potential locations for gateway signs. Before a final recommendation was made to the City Council, the opportunity to partner with the Arden Plaza redevelopment to construct a more substantial gateway sign was presented to the EDC. The developers agreed to construct a base for a gateway sign at the southwest corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E as part of their overall project. The Arden Plaza property was going to pay for the sign base and installation. The Arden Plaza redevelopment was anticipated to start in the fall of 2009; however, the construction has been delayed and a new schedule is not yet available. With the undefined time line for the proposed gateway sign associated with the Arden Plaza redevelopment, the EDC reviewed alternative gateway sign options at their March 17, 2010, meeting. The EDC recommends the gateway signs be located at the southwest corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue and the southeast corner of Highway 96 and Road Lake Road because these are primary entry points to the City, particularly for businesses, and because there is space to construct the signs without the need for easements. Councilmember Grant pointed out that there were different designs for the gateway sign included in the Council packet. He asked if the sign being proposed by SignArt is the one that does not include "Welcome to" and if this would be the design they would move forward with. The signs are designed with the ability to be moved. He asked how the signs would be reused and where. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the design that SignArt is proposing does not include the "Welcome to" as presented in the other examples. He explained the signs would be bolted to the footings. This would make it easier to move the signs in the future without damaging them. The EDC considered several areas they considered to be locations for a gateway sign. These locations include: County Road D and Cleveland Avenue, Lexington Avenue and County Road 96, County Road E2 and Cleveland Avenue, I694 and Red Fox Road, and along Highway 51. The signs were not designed with the intention they would be temporary but rather with the idea that the City may want to move them in the future, which is the case with the one proposed for the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E. Councilmember Grant asked if the design proposed by Arden Plaza could be incorporated into the sign proposed by SignArt. The stonework makes the sign more attractive. Community Development Director Lehnhoff clarified this option had not been explored by the EDC. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 4 7.A. Proposal to Purchase Two Gateway Signs from SignArt USA for a Cost Not to Exceed $10,S00 to be Located at the Southwest Corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue Intersection and the Southeast Corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road Intersection (continued) Mayor Harpstead asked if there would be any problems with relocating the signs without damaging them. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the design of having the signs bolted to the footing makes them easier to move without damaging them. The footing would stay in place and just the sign could be moved. Councilmember McClung asked if the raised lettering would be vandal proof. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated SignArt had indicated the letters would be strongly attached to the signs. He clarified that nothing could be guaranteed as vandal proof. Councilmember McClung asked if all the locations looked at by the EDC were proposed to have signs on them at some point in the future. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated it is fair to say that the EDC would like to - have more signs in the community but not necessarily at all of these locations. Councilmember Holden clarified the locations had been previously agreed upon by the Council at a worksession. Councilmember McClung asked for an explanation on why gateway signs are good for the City. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the gateway signs would be helpful to businesses to let customers know when they are in Arden Hills and also the gateway sign was one of the implementation tools for the building plan for the B2 District. Councilmember McClung asked if the EDC had looked at the County Road E and Lexington Avenue location knowing the sign would be moved and if the EDC had determined where the sign would be relocated. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the EDC had not made any determinations on where the sign would be relocated. Councilmember McClung asked what other items were on the 2004 EDC Work Plan. Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated the primary items in the 2009 work plan were the Welcome Packets for new businesses and the gateway signs. Mayor Harpstead pointed out with the Lexington Avenue and County Road E proposed site the gateway sign would be positioned relatively close to the current pylon sign. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 5 7.A. Proposal to Purchase Two Gateway Signs from SignArt USA for a Cost Not to Exceed $10,500 to be Located at the Southwest Corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue Intersection and the Southeast Corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road Intersection (continued) - Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated this was correct. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Mayor Harpstead seconded a motion to Approve the Proposal to Purchase Two Gateway Signs from SigunArt USA for a Cost Not to Exceed $10,500 to be Located at the Southwest Corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue Intersection and the Southeast Corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road Intersection. Acting City Administrator Iverson read into the record the following comment from Councilmember Holmes: "I believe the time is right for Gateway signs and I appreciate the Economic Development Committee's work on this issue. I am in favor of two signs being installed this year. And the location at Highway 96 and Round Lake Road appears to be an appropriate place. I am not, however, in favor of installation of a sign at Lexington and County Road E at this time. The reason I oppose this location, is that placing this sign at this point is contrary to a prior Council decision. The Council had already decided that a Gateway sign would be part of the redevelopment of Arden Plaza, and if part of the redevelopment project, payment for the sign would not be the City's responsibility. Although that project has been delayed, I believe that project will happen and the Council already has a plan for a Gateway sign at that location. I am not in favor of having a sign installed there, even if there is the contingency that it might be moved in the future. From my perspective, the best place for the second sign is at County D and Cleveland, a location, which had been previously identified as a potential location for a Gateway sign. From talking with residents and nonresidents, this seems to be an area, in particular, where people do not know where Roseville ends and Arden Hills begins. However, I am flexible with regard to where both signs are to be located, I just believe the Lexington and E location is not the right location at this time." - Councilmember McClung stated he is not a supporter of gateway signs. Although he appreciates the work the EDC did he believes this money could be better used for business retention and outreach. The majority of residents he has talked to do not support gateway signs. Councilmember Grant thanked the EDC for their work. He stated although he is in support of gateway signs he is not in support of this particular proposal. The design of the sign could be better and he expressed concerns about the reusability of the signs. These signs are something people will judge the community by and the City needs to be careful about the quality of these signs. He also stated he did not like the location of the sign at Lexington Avenue and County Road E because it looks like it is a temporary sign. He stated he would be willing to approve more money for a quality sign. He suggested scaling the signs down and incorporating the cultured stone look. These are not the right signs for Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden explained the EDC worked hard on getting this proposal together for the Council. She assured the Council the materials on the sign do not look cheap. Businesses in the community have been asking for identification signs for several years. The Council has not talked about having stone on every gateway sign and this would be cost prohibitive. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 6 7.A. Proposal to Purchase Two Gateway Signs from SignArt USA for a Cost Not to Exceed $10,S00 to be Located at the Southwest Corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue Intersection and the Southeast Corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road Intersection (continued) - Mayor Harpstead stated Councilmember Holmes had made some good points. He stated the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E was not a good location at this time but this sign could be put in a different location. He agreed with Councilmember Holmes statement that County Road D and Cleveland Avenue would be a good location. He also stated he would like to see the City try these signs because he felt it would be beneficial to the City. MOTION: Mayor Harpstead moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to Change the Sign Location from the Southwest Corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road E to the Corner of County Road D and Cleveland Avenue. Councilmember Grant stated even though this would be a better location be still felt the City could design a better quality sign. Councilmember Holden explained the EDC did feel confined by the budget the City Council had given them and they had worked hard to provide a sign design that was not only within the budget but looked nice and was made of quality materials. The EDC did what the City Council had asked them to do. Councilmember Grant stated the budget amount was intended for one sign and the EDC is asking for two signs with this proposal. Councilmember Holden explained there are not a lot of options for signs in the $10,000 range. Signs are$1,000 to $6,000 or$25,000 plus. Mr. Ed von Holtum, Chair of the Economic Development Committee (EDC), explained the reason the EDC used the same design the City had for the park signs is because they felt the City's parks were one of the nicest features of the City and this would also provide continuity. He also explained the EDC did not feel it necessary to compete with neighboring cities in regards to whose sign is bigger or cost more. The signs being proposed are attractive long lasting signs. The EDC was only providing a list of potential locations that they felt would be beneficial for the City but the City can decide on locations. Motion to amend the location of one of the Gateway signs was called to a vote. The motion failed (2-2) Ayes: Mayor Harpstead, Councilmember Holden Nays: Councilmembers Grant, McClung The Primary motion was called to a vote. The motion failed (2-2) ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL-April 12, 2010 7 7.A. Proposal to Purchase Two Gateway Signs from SignArt USA for a Cost Not to Exceed $10,500 to be Located at the Southwest Corner of County Road E and Lexington Avenue Intersection and the Southeast Corner of the Highway 96 and Round Lake Road Intersection (continued) - Ayes: Mayor Harpstead, Councilmember Holden Nays: Councilmembers Grant, McClung Mayor Harpstead stated direction can be given to Staff in Council Comments. B. Approve Ordinance 2010-007 to Rename the Northern Street Section of Prior Court to Prior Circle in the Arden Manor Neighborhood and Approve Publication of a Summary of Ordinance 2010-007 Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated in the Ramsey County property records, the Arden Manor Neighborhood includes two discontinuous street sections named "Prior Court." At some point in the past, the street sign for the northern section was changed to "Prior Circle." A resident on Prior Circle contacted the City with concerns about the street name discrepancy stating that is has caused issues with Post Office deliveries, documents issued by the court system, and it may be a concern for emergency services. Staff spoke with the Arden Manor manager, and he supported the discrepancy. A letter was sent in February and in March to the 19 homes on the - northern section of Prior Court. None of the 19 households on Prior Circle objected to the correction. Although the streets within Arden Manor are privately owned and maintained, Ramsey County requires an approved ordinance from the City to make the street name correction. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember McClung seconded a motion to Approve Ordinance 2010-007 Rename the Northern Street Section of Prior Court to Prior Circle in the Arden Manor Neighborhood and Approve Publication of a Summary of Ordinance 2010-007. The motion carried unanimously (4-0). 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Acting City Administrator Iverson stated Susan Nemitz from the Ramsey County Library had called to inform the City that the Library Board would be meeting on April 21 to discuss the New Brighton Community Center as a new location. At this time this location is the most viable option they have for relocating the library. She would find out what time the meeting is scheduled for and let the Council know. Councilmember McClung asked if the Board would be discussing this location or taking action at this meeting. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 8 9. Council Comments and Requests (continued) Acting City Administrator Iverson stated the Board will be discussing this as their most viable option but Ms. Nemitz will keep the City informed. Mayor Harpstead requested copies of any written analysis they may have regarding this location. Councilmember McClung reminded residents there were a couple of days left in the Ramsey County Friends of the Park program and residents still had an opportunity to purchase trees and donate trees to the City's parks. Councilmember Grant stated the Safe Routes to School Trail project is currently under construction. With this project there has been some concerns from residents about the number of trees being removed from the park. He explained the tree removal was necessary because the trail was being moved and they needed to be able to get the equipment into the area. He pointed out this area would be a good area for residents to donate trees to with the Ramsey County Friends of the Park program. Acting City Administrator Iverson stated a large portion of the trees being removed were already dead but there would be some trees replaced in the project. Councilmember Holden asked for direction for Staff from Council regarding the gateway signs. Mayor Harpstead clarified he would like to see this proposal come back to the Council. Councilmember Holden asked the Council if it would be beneficial for the Council to be able to see and review the materials used in the proposal. Councilmember Grant stated he would like to see a better quality of sign. Councilmember Holden asked how much the Council was willing to spend on gateway signs. Mayor Harpstead stated a sample of the materials would be helpful. He also asked if it was possible to make a permanent sign monument similar to the one proposed by Arden Plaza but smaller for the other locations. He would like to ensure that the gateway signs reflect positively on the community. Councilmember Holden stated the item would be added to a worksession and in the interim period the City still did not have any gateway signs. The City has been discussing this item for ten years and the money has been in the budget for the last five years. She stated she had a hard time sending this item back to the EDC to work on when they had done all the home work and worked with what the Council had requested and wanted and worked within the budget the Council set up. She stated the Council should do the rest of the work since they knew what they wanted. Councilmember Grant stated the EDC did not live within the budget they were given. The intent of the Council was to utilize the $10,000 for one gateway sign and they are proposing two. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—April 12, 2010 9 9. Council Comments and Requests (continued) Mayor Harpstead stated the next step would be to move the discussions to a worksession. Councilmember Holden stated there was no category for gateway signs costing between$7,000 and$18,000. She also requested Staff to let the Council know what the material options are for the gateway signs because there are a limited number of materials that can be used. Mayor Harpstead requested Staff use their judgment in placing this item on a worksession agenda. ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Grant moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adiourn to a worksession. The motion carried unanimously(4-0). Mayor Harpstead adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:53 p.m. S san K. Iverson Stan Hudirpstealff Acting City Administrator Mayor